Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-11-05

Mrs. ]. D. B. Mclean. 1t Is the gener-
al opinion that the several floral exhib-
its and collections Of flowers are the
finest that have ever been shown at a
fair here, the chrysanthemums being
especially fine. The fair will continue
tonight and tomorrow, closing In the
evening at 10 o'clock. The weather to-
day has been unfavorable but the at
tendance was good, and 1t Is expected
will be much larger tomorrow.
The following statement signed
T. U. Vaughn, with w. II. Sendley as
witness was published last Sunday
morning: II, T. u. Vaughn, fully re-
alizing that I am soon to meet death
by electrocution, desire to make q
complete confession regarding my es-
cape from the Jail in Greenville
county, south Carolina, on the night
Of June 26, 1912. The first person to
approach me regarding my escape
from Jail, was a man, whom I took
to be the same that I had seen around
the Jail and whom I identified as be-
ing Reuben Goznell. This was during
the week previous to my escape. l
know not from what direction he
came. I was aroused by a light tap
upon the bars of my cell; and upon re-
spending to the knock, I was summon
ed to the window. The first question
asked by the party from the outside
was, Would you leave the jail II
could make reply, the man added that
]. ]. McSwain, the attorney for the
prosecution, was anxious for me to es-
cape; and that others, also prominent,
were exceedingly anxious that
should get away. asked this man
a few questions, among which was to
state what he had heard in connec-
ton with any plans for my escape.
He replied that 1t was useless for me
to question him; but that everything
would be arranged all right, and that
no effort would be made to apprehend
me. I replied that 1t would not be
safe for the state should an opportu-
nifty be offered me to escape. He
see me later. The above interview
took place during my confinement in
the cell that Is used to place female
prisoners in. The next day or so,
subsequent to the interview, female
prisoner was brought into jail. ! was
removed from the cell and placed in
the rear Of the main jail, where I re-
mained for five days. Sometime dur
ing the first day of my return to the
main Jail, Jailer Phillips informed me
that Sheriff Poole objected to my oc-
cupying the cell for women, and from
which had been removed that day.
I presented to Jailer Phillips a five-
dollar gold piece, which was done
with the expectation Of having Phil
lips show me special favors; and not
for the purpose Of purchasing any
necessaries Of life nor luxuries for me.
I sent my brother, e. c. Vaughn, to
get this five-dollar gold piece for me.
I preferred presenting gold as 1t was
more attractive. I was returned to
the cell for women on the day pre-
vious to my escape and II was after my
return to the women's cell that I
handed Mr.. Phillips the five dollars
In gold. I very much appreciated
the kindness shown me. ]. D. Gil
reath visited me during my conflne-
ment in the main jail and we discussed
money transactions which had passed
between us. The object Of Mr.. Gill
reath's visit to me was to discuss with
me the claim against him which I
lad been pressing for money which I
had advanced to the Gilreath Manu-
featuring company. He had formerly
promised to give me his note for the
amount, but I have never received
Gilreath, nor anyone else to cover this
claim. Upon leaving, Mr.. Gilreath as
sured me that he would satisfy me in
some manner, but that he could not
produce the cash. construed Mr..
Gilreath's remarks to mean that col
lateral Of some kind would be furnish
ed. All this occurred while I was In
the main Jail. On the following night
after being transferred to the women's
cell my attention was attracted by a
noise made at the window Of my cell,
that sounded like grating or tinkling
Of steel. Upon getting up and approach
ing the window, I was surprised and
really frightened owing to the peculiar
visage which proved to be the mask
ed face Of white man protruding
was cloudy and at times raining, but
during the occasional light shed by
the moon I could easily discern the
outlines Of the man at the window.
I naturally expected to find the same
man there who had been there pre-
viously; but soon saw that was mis-
taken; as this man, who was masked
was much smaller IN stature. My
first impression was that I was In the
presence Of Henry Southern, a trus-
tee Of the orphan home; for that up
on more than one occasion prior to
my arrest he had urged me to go
away. assuring me that he was voic-
ing the sentiment Of the balance Of
the trustees. The first word spoken
was by this strange visitor. who said,
Get yourself ready, everything Is
right, keep your nerve" This was
said in a suppressed voice with appar-
ent effort to conceal it's owners iden-
,ity. 1 soon saw by all actions and
appearances that 1t was not my
friend Henry Southern. This man pro-
ceeded to adjust the saw in a saw
frame and began to saw the bar very
slowly and cautiously. This was
about 10 o'clock p. m. Several saws
were broken before the bottom Of the
bars were sawed in two. Several
times the saving was interrupted by
the cries Of negro woman, who was
confined in the cell just above him;
she was yelling at the top Of her
voice that somebody was breaking
Jail. One interruption lasted probably
one hour. The saving was resumed
in spite Of the woman's alarm and at
about 100 or 2 a. m. the saving Of
the upper part Of the bar was COM
pleted and the piece Of bar removed
by me and laid upon the floor Of the
cell. I made an effort to get out at
lne Dul lOuhu llldl IL "oo
too small. I removed my clothing
and passed them to the party on the
outside, who laid them on some rocks
near the window. After getting on
my clothes, this strange party stood
at my rear; my visitor then said, Now
you can look out for yourself" then
proceeded hurridly to the wall where
there were some barrels, he following,
the saw still in his possession. A gen.
eral alarm was being sounded by all
the prisoners as we went over the
wall: and at all times while I was
dressing. At one time during the
saving of the bars some prisoners in
the main Jail yelled Boys they have
given 1t up" This was when the
work was stopped owing to the alarm
given by the negro woman. After
crossing over the wall my hat was lost
and I ran on leaving 1t behind. II
could hear the man following me in
the rear. We proceeded as far as
Webster street and as I turned down
there, the man stopped or disappear
ed. Every act of this man, coupled