The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-27
CONV|CTS ESCAPE FROM THE STOCKADE Four Negroes Still Pursued By
 BIoodhoundS GET OUT BEFORE DAYLIGHT Removed ScantIing From Passaaeway and Got Good Start Before Doos
 Were Put on Their
 Trail.
GET OUT BEFORE DAYLIGHT

Four negro prisoners made a bold es- cape rom the No Pratt mines early yesterday morning and up to late hour 's' "isilt no report of their capture had been made. "'-- All exciting bloodhound chase followed the escape of the negroes, the dogs boId- ing to the trail pretty well all day. Tho trall was taken about an hour after tbe escape and was followed for aho,,t throa hours to a point where the negroes bod | apparently separated, two going on to- gether and each of the others str,l.ira out for himself. The dogs were separated as the negroes had done and each trail struck the single trails finally heinz lose
 90 Tar as Is known two dogs are still lollowing the two negroes who stayed to- sether A posse of guards from the prison followed the dogs on horseback put the dogs outdistaneed the horses in the days run. A report was received that a man had passed the two negroes walking down the Southern Railway track near Coalburg with the two dogs lohowing them closely, and being great distance ahead of the guards.
 The man informed the guards of tbis ana they were making strenuous efforts to catch up with the negroes when last heard from. report was also received later in the night saying some of the escaped negroes were headed toward Sayre mines.
 It is stated that unless bloodhound is little vicious and exceptionally trained it will not attack the person it is nur suing as long as the man keeps walking or trotting along peaceably. Should they make an attempt to knock the dog away the dog will fasten onto him and fight. The negroes made their escape by re- moving a piece of two by four scantling from the side of the passageway leading to the wash house. This passageway is under the prison but above ground; is about 10 0yards long and is latticed in with heavy scantling. The negroes were taken through this to the wash house long before daylight preparatory to go- ing into the mines
 The four escapes managed to slip away, knocked the scantling off, then passed through part of the yard and over the fence. They were missed a minute after wards and the alarm given. Guards started in nasty pursuit and secured the surrounding country, but the negroes had travelled fast and were never sighted. The bloodhoun6s were hurried to the place. reaching there an hour afterwards and picked the trail up immediately. The dogs are fast travellers and the fact that the negroes could keep ahead of them all day is regarded by the guards as remarkable. The guards have strong hopes of catching two of the negroes. at least, as they believe the dogs will stick right by them until the guards show up
 The Tennessee company has offered reward of s25 for the arrest and de- livery to any jail of either of the es- capes.
 When the discovery of the escape was made it was thought that five negroes had taken French leave. but one of them was found to have been working in the mines all day when the day shift was brought to the surface last night