The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1909-02-27

There were several circumstances
that weighed heavily against Phipps'
chances of escaping death on the gal
lows. la the first place his jail-break.
ing exploit in company with Bucky
Greenfield was against him. Green.
field got away safely to Mexico, ana
as there was no eXtradition treaty be-
tween Canada and the former country
at that time covering his offense, he
was never brought back. Doubtless
Greenfield meant well by his cell-mata
when he planned their escape, but 1t
would have been far better for PhIpps
had he not broken Jail. Then there
was the episode of Billy Callaghan IN
Sandwich Jail which had much to 60
with influencing public opinion in the
County of Essex at tho time of the
Phipps trial
Callaghan belonged 20 Detroit He
came of a respectable family, and in
his younger days was a dry goods
clerk, but became a professional tprg.
lar and desperate crook He and
burglar named Kennedy were being
held in Sandwich Jail and on March
16 they made a dash for liberty.
George O'Callghan Leech, the old
governor of the jail, tried to intercept
the escaping prisoners, and Billy Cal
laghan drew a revolver which had
been smuggled into his cell, shot and
killed the governor and escaped with
10
out of the country but Kennedy was
caught and sent to Kingston peniten
tiary for seven years.
While there Kennedy became pals
with another convict named Blinky
Morgan who was serving five years
for manslaughter Shortly after be-
coming acquainted the pair broke out
of Kingston penitentiary. Morgan was
traced to Reno, Ohio, by detective
named IIoolihan and in the fight that
occurred when they met the officer
vas killed Morgan escaped after
Shaving Hoolhan but was run down
in Alpena, Mich, where he shot the
sheriff and wounded another man He
was captured, taken to Cleveland and
hanged. Kennedy got away.
In the meantime Callaghan, after
killing Gov Leech of Sandwich Jail,
had disappeared completely. Murray
sent out circulars offering reward
for his arrest and finally received a
telegram from the police of Hannibal.
Mo, which read:
Come at once. Callaghan in Jail.
acknowledges Identity
Murray wired back: "Will come, but
do not believe it is Callaghan, He
would not acknowledge identity
He prepared the necessary eXtradi.
ton papers and went to Hannibal, TAX
Ing with him Turnkey Smith of Sand.
wich JAIL who knew Callaghan well.
Arriving at their destination they were
informed by the police that two
crooks, known as Joe Rice and John
Carr, had burglari2ed Banker Patter.
sons house in Barry, Ill, making him
get out of bed, open up his safe and
turn over the contents. besides taking
his gold mounted revolver. They had
been caught in Hannibal and Rice had
the stolen revolver. On the way TO
the Jail Rice whispered with Carr. and
in the jail he had said to a fellow
prisoner.
4 wonder If these cops know who
| am? They offer reward for me in
Canada" The prisoner reported the
! conversation. Rice was questioned and
/ confessed he was Bill Callaghan. Then
/ Murray was sent for.
The detective was shown to the
cell occupied by the supposed Callag.
han. It was a gloomy hole, but even
in the semidarkuess a single glance
at the inmate convinced Murray that
he was not the murderer Of the Sand.
wiCh Jail governor Turnkey Smith
I also shared his opinion The prisoner
was ordered to step into better light
4 and Murray looked at him closely.
No" said the detective, he is not
I CaIaghan This is Jim Leayitt OF
4 New York Jim, have seen you at
/ Billy Browns in Bleecker street, and
at The Aliens"
The prisoner laughed, and admitted
I that Murray's statement was CORE; :.
Murray returned to Toronto withou,
. CaNaghan whom he next heard of n
Mexico II was later reported tina,
( Callaghan was drowned in South
. America, but however that may have
been. ne was never captured
Between Greenfield and Callaghan
the fate Of Luke Phips was sealed.
The murder Of Gov O'Cauaghan Leech
enraged the people Of Essex county,
and when phipps, who had escared
from the same jail came up for t-ial
some months after the Lsech kI,.az.
public opinion was against him. Hs
was found guilty ot m4rdsr. hars.8 r
sandwich jail in Navsmbr 1881 and
buried near the grave where - BAD
aaee sought refuge and IA, hidden
from 'sr ewes - ats hunters ta- {
SPACE 81 us1ht ard 44t
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