The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-08-27

} Vigilance on the part of Sheriff MOI
cross prevented the escape of prisone
from the county Jail early Wednesda
morning.
When George r. Clark was COMMITTEES
on charge of shooting Thomas ]. Bar
rett, proprietor of the hotel at Roebling
instructions were given that the prisone
should be closely watched, the belief pre-
vailing that he was a dangerous man
which subsequent events proved to 81
true.
Shortly after his admission to the coun
ty prison Clark became so nice that sus
picion was aroused, and Samuel K. Gas.
kill, the turnkey, decided to put prison
er In the same cell with CLARK, instructing
him to give some kind of an alarm in case
anything should happen.
The last man to be thus assigned was
Joseph Misler. With his mind made up
to escape Clark, evidently anxious to test
the strength of his cellmate, had frequent
wrestling bouts with Misler, whom he
found to be the better man.
piece of iron was secured from the
flush tank In his cell by CLARK, who
broke it by letting window sash fall on
it. By this operation piece of the iron
with a sharp point was secured, and
with it Clark picked out lot of bricks
from the chimney, making an opening
nearly two feet square. Into this he
crawled, hoping to ascend and gain &C
cess to the roof. But his plans failed, the
opening in the chimney not being large
enough TO permit him to pass through.
While Clark was thus engaged and
excited at his disappointment, Misler said
he was sick and called to those sleeping in
the bakery to bring him some medicine.
You are going to give me away, are
you? ?" the desperate man asked with an
oath. Picking up the blade of safety
razor, Clark continued "You get down
and pray. ! am going to cut your throat
and mine, too"
Misler assumed a kneeling posture and |
prayed loudly, so that those down stairs
would be likely to hear him. A suspi- |
cious movement of the hand containing
the dangerous weapon brought Misler to
his feet. and after desperate struggle he
disarmed Clark, and at the approach of
he became quiet.
George Williams was the first to arrive.
He aroused Deputy Sheriff Fleetwood
and the turnkey, both of whom rushed
up stairs. They found Clark in his cell,
who showed evidence of his excitement.
Fearing his purpose was to have the cell
1oor opened SO that he could make rush
Tor the office and perhaps to the street, 1t
was deemed best to send for Sheriff Nor
cross, and Detective Parker was called I'D
IN the telephone. The four officers, with
heir weapons ready for use, stood in the
corridor The cell door was unlocked and
oarker entered. He was ready for trou-
Die but these was none. After being
earched by Gaskill, Clark cried and said
There Is something the matter with me.
tut don't know what it is"
Come along with me" was the order
,iven by Parker, and Clark was trans
erred to a cell in murderers row. He ;
vas told that If in the future there was
he slightest demonstration on his part he ,
would be chained to the floor. /,
Asked why he did not cut through the :
vail and escape to the yard, Clark said he !
vas more afraid of the bloodhound con- .
ned there than he was of meeting a man. !
On Tuesday afternoon Clark received
isit from his mother and wife. They
loaded with Gaskill for the return of a ;
old watch belonging to Clark which is .
4 the custody of Sheriff Norcross. From !
MS it is surmised that the women knew e
f the plan to escape AS the visitors :
vere alone with Clark, it was not known Z
the time of the attempt to escape if !
ley had supplied him with any weapons. y
The bricks in the chimney were re- :,
loved between 10 and O'Clock. !
1t has been learned that "Clark" Is only !
q alias, and that his correct name is .
gorge Reed. This fact was established :,
y two New York detectives who saw the =
risoner shortly after his arrest The T
Dung woman who has been visiting him .
as compelled to sign an affidavit that she :
as his wife, In order to continue her I
ais.