The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1912-01-05
TWO DESPERATE
Criminals GIVE
finn THE Laugh
Long Termers Take French
Leave of IngIeside Jail on Eve
of Sheriff's Replacement
Are Known to Have Money
Secured by Gambling and
Selling Drugs

On the very eve of the termination of
Senator Tom Finn's incumbency as
sheriff of San Francisco county two
desperate and notorious criminals, each
under sentence OF long terms in the
penitentiary, left the Ingleside branch
county jail some time during yesterday
they took their departure is still
mystery. although 1T was stated last
night that the grand jury would imme-
diatey begin an investigation of the
case with a view of determining how
the remarkable leave taking was ac-
complished.
Thomas Callaghan, alias Jack Black.
dope fiend," burglar, murderous thug,
about to go to Folsom to serve "a term
of 25 years for crime committed in
1904, and Harry Davenport, one Of the
best known pickpockets in the United
States. who was 20 have been impris-
oned at Folsom for 10 years after con-
viction on a robbery charge, are the
men who suddenly disappeared from
their steel cells and went into the
The manner of their escape, as 1t is
explained by the jail officials. is ex-
traordinary A question has arisen as
to whether it could have been effected
in the manner suggested by the Finn
deputies. and the investigation that is
=
tablishing the precise way in which
the thing was done.
Singular Coincidence
1t Is regarded as singularly coinci-
dental that the departure of the pris-
oners should occur on the morning
when the last legal barriers between
them and the penitentiary were swept
away. Black, who has been in the
was awaiting the restoration Of the
records in his case that were burned
in the fire of April. 1906. The records
were restored week ago and the bill
of exceptions was settled yesterday
morning by Judge Dunno. This meant
peal to the appellate court. where, it
was conceded even by his attorneys.
Black had no hope of a reversal of the
Judgment of sentence of the lower
court. In the case of Davenport the
appellate court confirmed the sentence
of the lower court yesterday. and Fol-
som was the next regular step for the
convicted man.
Back was the wealthiest man in the
county jail. not excepting the officials.
He was known as the king of the
opium ring" and made a small fortune
in the sale of morphine and cocaine to
the other prisoners who desired the
drugs. 1t is known that several days
before his departure he had $2,70O of
his own money strapped about his
he told grand juror who was inquir-
ing into conditions in the jail that his
bank roll" amounted to $4,000. Among
his other possessions he had diamonds,
unset. solitaire, clustered, and watches
and other jewelry. He was abundant
ly supplied with expensive clothes of
the latest fashion.
Took All His VaIuab1es
None of these personal belongings
were to be found in the Jail yesterday.
Although Black left rather hurriedly
and in the dead of night, according to
Superintendent Carroll and Chief Jail
er Walter Macauley, he took all OF his
things with him.
When Black went to the Ingleside
jail on April 20. 1906. he wore blue
flannel shirt, an old coat and blue over
alls. The last time he was in court he
was attired in a suit of the finest cloth
and the latest cut. a silk lined over,
coat, the finest calfskin shoes. an Eng
lish hat and the most expensive linen
He had a gold watch and diamonds as
a finishing touch to his personal ap-
pearance. He was escorted from the
Jail to court on each occasion by Dep
uty Sheriff John McGee. who gave his
word to severai court officials on more
than one occasion that Black was mot
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