Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-03-19
innocent MAN IS KILLED
DESPERATE MEN EXCHANGED
SHOTS WITH OFFICERS IN
RUNNING FIGHT.
THE POSSES were Thick
From Every Side, Armed Men SpraDg
Up TO Help in the Capture of
the Triple Murderers.


OMAHA, Neb., March 1S.-Two Of
the convicts, John Dowd and John
Taylor, who escaped last Thursday
from the state pen at Lincoln, and
James Blunt, an innocent victim Of
their murderous attempt to gain liber-
ty, are dead as the result Of battle
between the bandits and officers this
afternoon.
Charles Morley, the third member
Of the trio, which escaped from the
state PRISON after killing three offic-
ials of that institution, saved his life
by surrendering to the officers with
whom he had fought a running bat
tie over two and half miles of coun-
try. with horses on the run.
The three escaped conyicts were
within striking distance of the hoped
for safety, when the final struggle for
liberty occurred. They had covered
the stretch from Lincoln to within ten
miles of the Omaha city limits, where
they had expected to receive the pro-
lection of friends.
i rom lHe IlOllltIt VI lHtlT tSCdpe
the three men had employed the same
desperate methods to protect them
selves from recapture which featured
their escape from prison, and they did
not hesitate at the crucial moment to
attempt TO sell their lives as dearly as
possible.
II was a futile attempt, however
because they We're armed with shot
guns and revolvers, while their pur-
suers had a fun supply of repeating
rifles. Early in the day the telephone
operator at Gretna, about fifteen miles
south of this city reported the pres
ence of the desperate men. 1t had the
result of bringing to the vicinity six
organized posses. They included one
from omaha another composed of
Sheriff McShane and his deputies of
this county, and a third made up Of
sheriff Hyers and his deputies from
Lincoln. Sheriff Chase of Sarpy coun-
ty, with his deputies We're also within
striking distance, and South Omaha
sent two posses under Chief of Police
Briggs. The Gretna company of mill
itia also was early on the scene.
Stole Guns and Ammunition.
Chief Briggs of South Omaha and
his deputy John C. Trouton, were
leaders in the party, which finally
overlook and vanquished the three
convlcts and shot an innocent victim
in their desperate dash for liberty.
Briggs left this city on an early
morning special train with several
Omaha police officers. They left the
train at Springfield, about fifteen
miles south of here, and there learn
ed of the movements of the convicts.
The men had broken into a store at
Murdock between this city and Lin
coin, and stolen guns, ammunition and
clothing.
1t was learned the men were on
their way north to Albright an Oma-
ha suburb.
Chief Briggs got fast livery team
at Springfield. Sheriff Chase had
good span of horses and Sheriff Hyers
of Lincoln also joined the party. Three
miles out of Springfield the posses
learned that the convicts had forced
James Blunt and his wife to give them
breakfast and to furnish team and
wagon, with which they hoped to es-
cape to Albright compelling Blunt to
accompany as driver The rural tele-
phone played its part In the chase. as
by It's use the pursuers learned from
farmers along the route of the prog
ress of the convicts.
Reaching a point eight miles from
here the officers caught up with the
vehicle carrying the convicts. Young
Blunt was compelled to lash his horses
into a run, but the officers kept up
the pursuit until they were within a
few hundred yards of the fleeing des-
peradoes Then Chief Briggs driver
balked and refused to drive further.
Briggs himself grasped the relns and
whipped the horses into gallop.
When they were within a hundred
yards of the pursued men Briggs and
Trouten opened fire with their rifles.
From that time until Morley finally
surrendered 1t was dashing fight
over three miles of rough country
roads.
Driver Was Killed.
Finally there came a halt when
young Blunt toppled back into the
wagon. the victim of a bullet. Chief
Briggs instantly jumped from the bug
gy and taking deliberate aim fired at
the men in the wagon. Meantime 9TH
er members of the posse came up and
Joined in the fusillade. John Down
was next to fall. 1t was at first re-
ported that he had taken his own life,
but Chief Briggs believes he was a
victim of one of the bullets from the