Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-03
JAILER BEATEN SENSELESS
WITH HIS OWN REVOLVER
Recovers Consciousness and Pluckily
Starts in Pursuit.
SECURING WOODED COUNTRY
One of the jail Breakers Seen to
Cross the Aoueduct Bridge on
His Way to This
City.


Crack. jailer at the Alexandria county
tail, two Of the prisoners made their es-
cape early this morning. Up TO late
hour this afternoon neither had been re-
captured. and a posse of fifty men, under
the leadership of Sheriff W. H. Palmer
Of Alexandria county. was securing the
woods in the neighborhood of the Jail.
The attack upon the jailer was made by
Robert Murray and Henry Harper. both
colored They were being held for the
grand jury. Murray on charge of lar
ceny and housebreaking and Harper
charged with stealing mule.
Jailer Crack. who lives over the Jail.
went down this morning about ! O'Clock
to unlock the door of the big steel cage
In the center of the Jail. Hardly had he
opened the door when Murray sprang
upon him. and followed by Harper. pushed
his way into the hall. They knocked
Crack to the floor and Harper kicked the
Taller in the head. Cracks revolver fell to
the floor in the struggle, and Harper, seiz-
ing it. beat the jailer into insensibility
Murray in the meantime had seized the
1ailer's bunch of keys and unlocked the
door leading TO freedom.
Jailer Starts in Pursuit.
Recovering his senses in few minutes
Crack staggered to his feet and, accom-
panied by two TRUSTEES, John Stanton and
Daniel Jones. went in pursuit of the
escaped negroes Murray and Harper
had separated Crack went after Harper,
<1l10 hiy
for two miles. Harper turned and fired
three shots at his pursuers, none of whom
had a gun. and who were afraid to close
IN on Harper while the revolver still held
bullets Over roads, through fields and
woods the jailer followed the fugitive.
II was when Jailer Crack reached Alex
ander field, short distance west of Fort
Nyer. that Harper turned upon his pllr-
suer and fired three shots at him The
shooting did not deter the already wound
ID and suffering man, however and he
continued the pursuit until he was con-
vinced that he had not the slightest op-
portunity OF overtaking Harper The last
seen OF Harper was in the neighborhood
OF the E V. VaneZery place near the Ar
NDgton turnpike.
Murray, IL was learned. went toward
the Aaueduct bridge. and was seen cross
ing the bridge on his way to Washington.
Sheriff Palmer organized posse as
soon as he could get the men together
and started in pursuit of Harper, waiting
long enough TO notify the police of the
affair and TO ask that search be made
here for the colored men.
The Jailer's Injuries.
DR. II. C. Corbett was summoned to
attend the wounded jaier. He found
that Crack had been beaten about his
head one ear having been cut and
mashed. Eleven stitches were required
to close the wounds. The wounded man
is suffering from shock this afternoon,
but, although his condition is serious. the
physician is satisfied he viii recover.
1t was only because of Cracks pres
ence of mind that he managed to close
the door and prevent wholesale Jail
delivery. There are twelve prisoners
Commonwealth S Attorney Mackey
stated.
They are not Alexandria county
people" he added, but came from else
where
Capt. Mackey went TO the jail shortly
after he heard of what had occurred
and offered the jailer what assistance
he was BILE 10 give. He appreciated
that the escape 0f the men was not due
to lack OF precaution on part of the
ieiler. who mas no assistant and the
dangerous condition, he says will not
be relieved until the county provides
an assistant. one man, he says is not
enough TO guard so many prisoners
The Two Fugitives
Henry Harper was placed in jail Sat
urday afternoon by Sheriff Palmer
having been arrested in this city and
charged with stealing a mule from
William Parker OF Rosslyn The mule
VAS offered for sale in this city for
$50 and the alleged suspicious conduct
OF the Colored man led to his arrest by
detective HoWes and Policeman Bobo
Harper said he lived near Florida ave
hde and 10Th street northwest
Robert Murray also lived in this city
one time. although he has spent most
Of his time in Alexandria county. Three
years ago, II Is stated. he served six
months in the Alexandria county iail
FOR having stolen I50 pairs Of gloves
from a store.
Murray Is described as being > feet
inches tall. and weighing between I4o
and loo pounds. He wore black trousers
and oVersNs, blue serge coat and
corduroy cap. Harper is about the
same height as his fellow fugitive and
weighs about 100 pounds. He wore dark
trousers, blue overaJls and blue
sweater.