The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-07-10
PRBlN BEINs CLOSE GUARDED
SCORE or MEN, MANY OF WHOM,
ARE DESPERATE AND WOULD
AJTEMPT TO GAIN THEIR LIB
ERTX AT ANY HAZARD. ARE IN
THE BASTtEE.

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Hadl not been for the alertness Of
Waterman Clayton and Jallor Thomas
Tucker there woclde have been anoth-
er Marion county jail delivery satur-
day night when the twenty prisoners
one OF whom Is a murderer would
have made their escape as has been
done more than a half-dozen times dur:
ine the past eighteen months from
the same prison. z
II is mo secret that the men have
been making every effort during the
past several weeks to gain their lib
erty al any hazard and they would
resortto most anything 10 accomplish
them Efforts. About two weeks ago
Captain fuckers suspicious were
aroused b3 the actions Of the prison
efs and he made q thorough search
Of the Jail and was rewarded by find
ing three high iytempered steel saws
secfeted IN Tie corridor Of the bas-
tile He closely questioned the pris.
onefs but ali emphatically denied that
they knew anything about the saws.
They We're not found in any of the
menis cells and 1t was impossible to
suspicion any particular prisoner; but
It Is the belief of the authorities that
an The men are in the plot to break
out aud that they will succeed in so
doing it not more carefully watched. .
g'heffndilg Of the saws two weeks
ago caused the ocers to watch more
closely and last weekion two sepa-
rate occasions several more saws were
found also secreted about the corri.
dor When the last search was made
On F'fiday, d piece 81 the hardest and
lihes saw Tor cutting Iron was found.
This ssw would have quickly severed
the bars IL rs thought by the author
iEles ttat tho men have still more
saws gtlFtie jail for all preliminary
pfepafatioiis ID were made on last Sat
urdaysfil il TO make a getaway. The
bart ofithe heavy window light in the
extreme west window was broken
partly out. This is the same window
through which the last delivery was
made. 1T would have been an easy
maftcr to have quickly sawed the iron
bars aud dropped into the alley max
ing good their escape. The men did
otstop at this in making complete
Arrangements to make successful
geiaway. They took red hot pokers
and burned peep-holes in the east end
door, that the "lookouts" could keep
an nseye on the watchman's movements
While the others did the saving. The
holes we're burned through thick
oah door, aud a heavy board braced
againststhe door. The barred door to
this entrance is on the outside of the
wooden door.
Everything was made ready for a
delivery On Saturday night after a
thorough search. had been made, of the
jaii ON Friday when the one saw was
found. This aas led the authorities to
believe, That the men have other saws
secreted about the prison but which
are impossible to find.
As stated, there are now nearly q
score oil prisoners confined in the jail
Several Of whom are desperate men
and who would resort to most any
Bthing 10 gain their liberty, Among
these prisoners is a negro charged
With murder and several others charg'
ediwlth crimes that will upon convic.
ton railroad them to the penitentiary
Where the men are getting the
saws isSnot known, and with all the
careful watching they have been Sc
curing them dwith ease, 1t appears
that they have no trouble In Getting
ALI the Ntgh.grade and highly temper
ed sswssthey want and as the bars
are easily cut with such tools, 1t will
pequlFe Tie most careful watching to
prevent the prisoners from again max
ling their escape,
The old temporary jail Is most In
secure place In which TO atN7mpt to
confne men who are determined to
gain their liberty and the authorities
willtnot rest contented until the pris
oners shall haY6 been placed behind
the bars Of 9theS.n new and strong Ma
fion county prison, which will be
ready foE occupancy in ateY weeks
fkiel 2ti 4ril4fe. ny .Is.tH ll Na