New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-08
HOLDS UP
GUARDIANS OF TOMBS
CraWIs Through a CoaIhoIe,
SnatCheS Keepers Revolver,
Fires, Then Disappears.
PANIC HITS MEN IN CELLS
Police Disperse Crowds Outside,
and Watch for Attempt of
Alleged Thief to Leave
Prisons Walls.

A prisoner IN the Tombs last night at
tackled a. guard, disarmed him and with
the guards revolver held Deputy War
den Nicholas Jones and his entire staff
at bay for several hours. In the mean
time the other prisoners, Of whom there
were 6S7, were thrown into a panic by
the pistol shots.
Police assistance was called for and a
score Of men from the Elizabeth street
station, with their revolvers ready for
USE were stationed in the streets on the
four sides Of the prison TO prevent the
escape Of the prisoner, for prisoners on
several occasions have escaped from the
Tombs, without even a revolver.
In order TO be on the safe side, fifteen
patrolmen, who had assisted the prison
guards in their search about the Tombs,
entered the Criminal Courts Building
early this morning, which is connected
with the Tombs by the Bridge Of Sighs.'
A careful search for Wilson was made
on all the floors of the building and in
the court rooms that connect with the
bridge, but the prisoner was not to be
found.
George Wilson is the name OF the man
who last night broke all records of the
city prison. He is a chauffeur. and on
Jky was committed on a charge Of
burglary by Magistrate Appleton, sitting
In the Harlem police court.
Wilson is the man who last week
awakened Mrs. Frank L. Taylor in her
apartment on the first floor Of the house
at No. 20 Claremont avenue and forced
her to give him $50. though he consented
to permit her to retain her wedding ring.
Mrs. Taylor awakened her husband. and
she and he chased Wilson through the
streets until he ran into a patrolman at
Broadway and 125th street.
Wilson's picture is in the Rogues' CAL
lery. The police said he was arrested at
Coney Island in November, 1907. on a
charge of burglary and sentenced to two
He then gave the name Of Charles Will
Jams. At that time he attempted to es-
cape and was shot by patrolman from
the Coney Island station. Under the
name of Charles Anderson he was ar
rested in Southampton, England. in No
vember, 1910. and after serving eighteen
months at hard labor was ordered de-
ported.
II was not Wilson's first time in the
Tombs, and upon his arrival there he
was assigned to the kitchen force, with
a Job that gave him considerable free
dom in the prison. On previous occa-
sions he had been q model prisoner and
1t was not thought that any risk was
being taken. At night he occupied cell
No. 822.
When the prisoners went in to supper
the guards counted just 6s7 Of them,
and after the meal was over the count
showed less. but 1t was thought that an
error had been made in the count, and
search for the missing one was not
made.
In his work about the kitchen Wilson
went frequently to the cellar, where coal
is stored. From this cellar there is
coal hole leading up to the yard on the
Lafayette street side of the prison. but.
as the walls are high and there Is al
ways a guard in the yard the cover of
the coal hole is not fastened down.
Cots Guards Revolver.
William Hoolihan. the guard on duty
in the yard last night at $50 o'clock.
was standing near this coal hole, when
suddenly the cover flew off and Wilson
emerged. Hoolihan's attention was not
attracted by the slight noise, and Wit
son, creeping up behind the guard, struck
The guard fell TO the ground. and Wit
Continued on second page, fourth column