Evening star., 1907-08-15
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Attempt of George Midgets to
Escape From Jail.
TOOLS IN PRISONERS CELL
Hearing Granted Defendant Accused
of Forging Checks.
DOG WAGON ON THE STREETS
Arrangements for Funeral Services.
Organization of Driving Club.
Other Matters Of Interest.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

special correspondence VI 1he S'"i'
ALEXANDRIA, Va, August 10. 1907.
Announcement of the attempted escape
Tuesday last of George Midgets, alias Will
liam Johnson, colored, from the jail at
Fredericksburg Va. who convicted
of the murder of Charles T. Smith of this
city was not received with surprise by the
authorities here, as Midgcts has always
been regarded by the local police as man
who would do almost anything in order to
accomplish his end.
Commonwealth Attorney Brent. who con-
Quoted the prosecution of Midsets, stated
today that he Is OF the opinion that Midsets
had some assistance. and be believes that
the party who assisted him was Frank
Minor, alias Frank Robinson, colored. who
IS wanted by the police here in connection
with the murder. Whether or not the
Alexandria authorities will have Mi3gets
conveyed To some other Jail has not been
decided. II is said by many NAT the jail
in Alexandria county would be very safe
place to keep the accused
According to the news received here Mid
gets had cut away good portion of a
large two-inCh white oak board with which
the cell was sealed, and had commenced
the work of cutting a hole in the stone
wall of the jail. which is two and one-haf
feet thick. 1t is stated that he hid his
work with his clothes and a blanket. 1t
is also stated that in another day he would
have regained his liberty. Midgets' plans
We're discovered by the sergeant of the
Jail. who found two small holes in the
exterior of the wall of the Jail. An investi-
cation was at once made, and an eXamna-
ton of the prisoners cell disclosed that
he had secreted therein a hatchet and sew
eral other implements with which he had
worked
Views as to Confederate.
1t is said that Midgets told the Fredericks
burg jail authorities that the tools were
given him by a tramp who was confined in
the Jail. 1t Is announced that the Freder-
icksburg authorities also believe that he
had a confederate on the outside who as
sisted him in the work. When discovered
Midsets acknowledged to the authorities
that he had also planned to kill the SER
geant with his hatchet and then take the
his escape. 1t is said that Midgets was at
once conveyed to another CELL where he is
being closely guarded.
The case of Midgets will in all probability
be heard at the November term of the state
court of appeals. His counsel, Messrs
Smith & Brumack of this city, following
Midgets' conviction. made application for
new trial, and May 10 last they were noti-
fled that the court of appeals had granted
a writ of error and Supersedeas in the case.
The murder of Charles T. Smith occurred
October 20, 1906 opposite the old fair
grounds on King street. Midgets departed
was arrested by the authorities at Harris
burg. Pa. the early part of last March.
After trial lasting several days he was,
March 30 last, convicted of murder in the
first degree and sentenced to be hanged
May "a last.