Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-11-11
Famous Prisoner Frustrated in
Efforts to Break Jail at
Minneapolis.
OFFICERS NIP THREE SCHEMES
Now Handcuffed in His Cell and Close
Iy Guarded - Convicted Murderer
and Alleged Train Robber Proves a
Puzzle to His captors - He Enters
Plea Of Not Guilty.
,ecial to Times-lsepublican.

Special to Times Republican.
Minneapolis. Nov. 1.-THE police
authorities of Minneapolis have been
Impressed with the fact that they have
one Of the most desperate men ever
confined in Minnesota Jail to deal
with, in the person of Frank Sher-
cliffe, who was brought here from
Knoxville, Tenn, to answer to a charge
Of train robbery for completely in the
crime for which Owen Ball. of Mar
shalltown, Iowa, is now serving an
state prison.
Ten minutes after his arrival in the
Hennepin county Jail. Shercliffe had
planned his escape and had secured a
large pocket knife to aid him in his
break for freedom. Frustrated in his
plan by the vigilance of the authorities,
Shercliffe again planned his escape,
and when he was searched by Jailer
Nels Clausen, large steel file was
found in his possession.
When Shercliffe was taken to the
Jail he was searched at Clausen's desk.
The detectives and police officers with
him say that they did not relax their
vigilance for moment, but shortly
after Shercliffe had been taken to his
cell, Sheriff Dreger missed a large
jack knife thmat had been left on the
desk Jailer Clausen went to Sher-
alt f1,A n
knife was found in one of his pockets.
Steel File Found.
Yesterday Jailer Clausen went to
Shercliffes cell and despite Sher-
cliffe's protests searched thru the mans
clothing Under the lining oFthe coat
Clausen found a large steel file.
Convinced that Shercliffe had secured
the file after he was locked in his cell
Clausen began an investigation. Harry
Randall, held for Mile Laos county au
thol1ties on larceny charge, had been
seen talking with Shercliffe, and
Clausen accused Randall of giving the
file to Shercliffe. Randall is the man
who made a slung shot of a paddock.
a chair rung and rawlings from his
clothes. and who explained when the
slung shot was found in his cell THAI
he had intended to use it in escaping
from the Mile Laos county sheriff. He
finally admitted he had given Sher-
cliffe the file. Randall and Sherclifrc
were Immediately handcuffed and he
fused the privileges Of the Jail COR
ridor.
Watch Tool Chest.
Yesterday Shercliffe asked Clausen
If he could have his watch. The jailel'
was suspicious and made an eXamina-
ton Of the watch which had been TAX
en- from Shercliffe. He found the watch
case contained no works, but a steel
spring 20 feet long and Of fine texture,
which might be used in making steel
files.
Among the personal belongings which
were taken from Shercliffe was a box
which contained what Shercliffe said
was ointment The ointment" proved !
to be hair dye.
AL j. Smith. county attorney, spent |
an hour with Shercliffe, but Shercliffa
to admit that he had particle
pated in the holdup of the Northern
Pacific train last spring. The authori-
ties believe, however, that he will break |
down and confess, and nobody but the
attorney has been permitted to
speak to him.
Shercliffe was arraigned before Judge
II. D. Dickinson on a charge of rob-
berry in the first degree. He entered a
plea of guilty.