The San Francisco call., 1909-04-10
MURDER PART OF
JAILBREAK PLOT
Heroic Action of Trusty Frus-
trates Attempted Release
of Prisoners
Alameda County JaiIer Saved
From Death by One of
His Wards

OAKLAND. April 9.-Wrenching a
heavy iron bar from desperate pris-
oner at the Alameda county Jail to-
day. Jimmy Green. a trusty, knocked
sensaess a plotter who. armed with
similar bar. had beaten Jailer
White into helplessness in sensa-
lional attempt 10 secure Whites keys
and effect a jail delivery.
The plot which Green frustrated al
most single handed was carefully
planned by B. T Mills. a federal pris-
oner. James B. Clifton. under sentence
OF life Imprisonment for shooting
ARRAY in which Detective Hodgkins
was badly injured, and Homer Stolcup,
2 youth who figured IN the recent
break from the city jail in which II
prisoners escaped.
Armed with two heavy iron bars, a
sharpened case knife, set in a wooden
handle, and Mills razor the trio care
fully laid their plans. which included
the murder OF White
JAILER'S WIFE GIVES ALARM
Screams by Mrs. Hattie White, wife
Of Jailer White, and her frantic tele-
phoning aroused the neighborhood. and
some one turned IN an alarm of fire
The department responded and great
crowd collected around the jail build
ing.
Clifton was being returned to his
cen in the grand jury corridor by
Green after Clifton had had his left
arm treated for a bad infection, which
may necessitate snputation. Stolcup
awaited just inside the corridor when
Clifton. recklessly using his bad arm,
attempted 20 push Green into the cor
ridor and lock the gate behind him At
the same time Stolcup passed an iron
bar through the grating 70 Clifton,
and then brushing past Green rushed
down the short passage to the Office
where White sat IN his armchair with
his back turned Beating White over
the head with the bar. Stofcup made
frantic efforts 10 kill him. but White
though blinded by blood. struggled TO
his feet and grappled with his assaiI-
ant.
Green though hindered by Portu-
gnese prisoner named Samuel Robino.
finally got clear Of Clifton from whom
he wrenched the heavy bar O. Stew
art. another trusty, who appea red
then, caught Clifton and showed him
inside the corridor and locked the
door
COMES TO WHITES RESCUE
Raging like a wild man, Green sped
after stolcup and when White and the
plotter reeled into the passage from
the Office. Green 1elled Stolcup with
blow over the head which left him
senseless for nearly 10 minutes
Mills in the meantime had remained
inside the grand jury corridor watch
ing which way the tide OF battle turned
He cursed Clifton when Stewart showed
him back inside. shouting. What the
HI were you so slow about? Why
did not you get started2y Mills then
returned TO his cell, secreted a large
pocket knife in a loaf of bread, and
pretended that he knew nothing about
It. A search Of his cell revealed a
heavy wooden club in crevice.
Deputy Sheriffs Burt Brown and John
Reilly hastily summoned from the
sherih's Office. arrived while Stolcup
still lay ON his face in the passage.
and Green, looking for more, was pac-
ing up and down hourishing the iron
bar.
White had staggered back into the
Office and was being cared for by his
wife.
caseknife framed in two pieces Of
wood strongly bound together with
twine into the shape of q rude dagger.
II had been keenly -sharpened. The
razor, which was identified as Bills
property. was also beneath him.
CONFESSEs THE PLOT
Sweated by Deputy Sheriff Brown.
Stolcup confessed that the plot had
been Matched by Clifton mad Mills and
that he planned TO secure Whites re-
volver. give the dagger to Clifton and
the razor TO Mills while carrying the
iron bar
That the gang would have succeeded
was certainty but for the activity
displayed by Green. as White was alone
IN the Office and would shortly have
succumbed TO StoIcups blows.
Afterward thorough search of the
sail was instituted and several of the
prisoners were subjected to sweating
processes. Charges OF assault with
deadly weapons with intent TO commit
murder may be placed against Stolcup.
Clifton was remanded into solitary con-
finement and viii probably be removed
ct once to the penitentiary at San
Quentin.
CLIFTON's BAD RECORD
Within week Of his second release
from the penitentiary- Clifton at
tempted TO hold up a drug store AT
Twenty fourth street and Telegraph
avenue.
He fired several shots at I. NJ. Parry
a clerk. and then running out encoun
tered Detective Hodgkins, who lived
close by. Hodgkins grappled with
Clifton and Mrs. Hodgkins. following
close behind. shot her husband twice
Clifton was captured by a posse within
p few feet Of his encounter with 5odg-
kins-
Stolcup was one of IL prisoners who
escaped from the city prison when an
oak door was sawed through. Recap
fured he was arraigned Tuesday in.
Judge Browns court, but secured a
continuance TO plead.
MILLS Is DANGEROUS MAN
Mills is considered me most danger
Gus Of all, being polished operator.
lie was arrested by government detec
tives for robbing a mail box and is
awaiting trial
Robino. whose connection with the
attempt was evidenced by his hindering
Green at the outset, was charged with
assault with intent 10 commit murder
AT Niles New Years eve. The trouble
grew out OF q drunken row.
An ADELPHIAN CLUB FOUNDER DEAD
Alameda April Mrs. James Willis Goodwin
one Of the founders Of the AdephiaD club of this