Bridgeton pioneer., 1912-08-15
Hess and Pfeiffer Make Dar-
ing Attack Upon Keeper
Blew.
WARDEN BADLY HURT
"Trusty" Saves Keeper Probably
From Being Killed and
Jail Delivery of
Thugs.

In the most daring attempt to break
jail in the history of Cumberland
County, two desperate prisoners,
Rozell Hess, the automobile thief, and
Edward Pfeiffer the horse thief,
would have murdered Warden George
Blew last night if it had not been for
Oscar McIlvane a trusty.
The attempt to break Jail was made
just as the prisoners were being
locked in their cell at night, and was
most cunningly planned by the two
desperate criminals.
Warden Blew who was attacked by
the two prisoners, probably owes his
life to young McIlvane, who seems
to have been the only prisoner who
went to the wardens rescue, and who
sounded the alarm to the office for
help.
In the few short seconds that the
attack was made, Warden Blew was
beaten about the eyes, and has at
least three very serious scalp wounds.
Hess and Pfeiffer, seeing that the
attempt had failed, when young Nc
Ilvane sounded the alarm and called
for help, scurried back like rats to
their cell, and in the investigation
which followed both said, Il don't
know anything about it,
Other witnesses who have made
statements concerning the sensational
affair, will convict the young crimi-
nails, however, and they will receive
long term sentences for their act. 1t
is the custom to lock the prisoners
in their cells at about half past seven
o'clock at night, after allowing them
the privilege of the corridors in the
day time.
Last night Charles Ward and Oscar
McIlvane, two TRUSTEES" or run
ners" were returning to the corridor.
Ward walking in advance and passing
directly to his cell. He was followed
by Oscar McIlvane, young prisoner,
of about twenty years of age.
McIlvane had stepped into the COR
ridor, and Warden Blew had the heavy
lock in his hand, which fastens the
sliding bar for the separate cell con-
troll. 1t was the one critical moment
when a desperate man could take a
chance. The cells We're still open, and
with the corridor door unlocked for
the fractional part Of minute, it was
a chance. And then but a few steps
away, was the Office of the Jail, and
once outside there they were free. The
two criminals, who both have prison
sentences awaiting them, took the
chance
They had hid in No. l cell, which
was nearest the corridor door, and as
McIlvane stepped in, Pfeiffer, the
horse thief, jumped out, and caught
Warden Blew by the throat, and car
ried him strangling TO the floor. Hess,
the automobile thief, jumped out and
attempted to lock the corridor door,
shutting the other prisoners away
from any attempt to stop their escape.
McIlvane called out to Pfeiffer. Don't
you dare to kill him., and made an
attempt to get out of the corridor.
Hess threw the sliding bar, but be-
fore he could fasten it, McIlvane
pushed the bar back from the inside
and giving Hess kick in the stom-
ach, ran to the rescue of Blew.
Pfeiffer was then pounding Blew on
calling feebly for help. AS McIlvane
warden was groaning with pain and
calling feebly for help AS McIlvane
went to rescue the warden, he was
pounced upon by Hess, and he being
the stronger of the two, threw the
young boy against a box. 1t was for
tunate that he did, for McIlvane was
then close to the alarm bell which he
sounded, and called loudly for help.
Seeing the attempt had failed, Hess