Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-29
PLUCKY WIFE IN BATTLE
Comes to Husbands Assistance and
is Struck by Prisoner.
PISTOLS USED IN PURSUIT
Fugitive Chased Nearly a Mile
Before He is Lost Sight of.
Reward Offered.
Special Correspondence OF The Star.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. June % 1910
William Eggleton, a negro, sentenced to
serve two years in the state penitentiary,
at 30 O'Clock this morning made a dar-
ing secape from the city Jail by
knocking Warden William Gambler in the
head with an improvised club. which was
used as a whitewash stick. Up to the
present time Eggleton has not been cap
tured. although a close search is being
made for him in the surrounding coun-
try. Practically all of the members of
the police department were out looking
for Eggleton, a general alarm being
turned in. The Washington authorities
have also been requested to look out
for the fugitive.
At the time Warden Candler's back
was turned. He had just entered the
corridor from the yard and was in what
is known as "the bull pen" He had
his back turned and was unlocking the
door OF this portion, a big steel affair,
when. without warning. Eggleton dealt
him terrific blow on the back of the
head, stunning him temporarily. Mr..
Gambler grappled with the prisoner and a
scuffie ensued. The noise attracted Mrs.
Gambler, who was in an adjoining room.
husband and endeavored to aid him in
restraining the prisoner.
Struck Warden's Wife.
The negro at this time was desperate.
He struck Mrs. Gambler a blow on the
arm and scratched her on the breast
With a powerful jerk he released himself
from the clutches of the warden and in
moment was on the street. The door
of the corridor being then unlocked. he
had distance Of only ten feet through
broad hall to reach freedom. Almost
Immediately the warden was in pursuit.
Mr. Gambler, before going a distance of
half OF a block fired three shots at Eggle-
ton as the latter ran up st. Asaph street
like deer
Warden Gambler at once returned to
the jail, fearing that to follow him would
mean the loss of other prisoners. several
OF whom had the freedom Of the corri-
The firing Of the shots attracted
Frank Pullen. who conducts store
nearby. Mr.. Pullen ran into his place.
procured a pistol and chased the negro
however. pi proved zoo fieet of hs foot assrS and
lost Mr.. Pullen when he reached Del
Ray, by getting behind some cars,
which gave him an opportunity to hide
fms ito 1atsef ths cbaas n AT
within a square of the fugitive. He
cried to some railroad men to catch
the negro, but this only tended to
hasten the speed Of the fugitive.
Men Let Him Pass.
At st. Asaph and Oronoco streets, a
square from the jail. it is stated, five
or six white men were on the corner.
They might have stopped Eggleton, 1t
is said The men. however, hearing the
shots, believed, it Is supposed, that Egg
gleton had a pistol.
AS a result or mis- encounter with Eggle-
ton Warden Gambler received a slight
abrasion on the head. His wife, other
than being made nervous by the negro's
blows, was not injured.
City Sergt. Cox was shortly afterward
notified by Mr.. Gambler OF the escape OF
Eggleton. He at once offered a reward
of $50 for Eggleton's capture.
Only recently EggletOn was convicted in
the corporation court Of grand larceny.
He entered plea Of guilty and was SEN
penitentiary. He would have been taken
to that institution this week.
Eggleton a week prior to his conviction
on a Saturday night entered the clothing
store of Bernheimer & Co., presumably to
make q purchase. While the clerks back
was turned he ran away with six suits OF
clothes. He was chased. and dropped the
plunder and was shortly afterward found
hiding nearby. He was arrested in this
city once before for the same o1ense
Eggleton is a nonresident Of this city.