The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-20
Sophie Lyons


al the prison door must have before he
allows anybody to leave the building. But
my husband had serious doubts.
About this time the matron's two chill
dren were taken sick and was assigned
to her house to take care OF them. So
faithfully did nurse them back to health
that the matron became quite fond OF me
and wanted me to remain there perma-
nently as her personal servant
when Ned Lyons came to see me again
he was amazed at my good fortune in re-
ceivfng "a position which was the next
best thing to liberty itself. 1t not only
gave me all sorts of liberties but II en-
abled me to dress like any servant girl
instead OF in the regulation prison cos
tune. This last fact would prove OF tre-
mendous advantage when my opportunity
to make break for liberty came.
''Red" Leary Lends Aid
Besides this was allowed little pocket
money to buy candles, fruit and occa-
sional trinkets for the children.
Ned brought good news this time. He
had pondered over my suggestion OF
forged pass and the more he thought of it
the more it seemed a promising scheme
But there were several important things
that must be done, and done well, to make
the plan reasonably sure of success
Lyons, In prison. could not personally
attend TO the necessary details He must
have outside help. Usually in such emer-
gencies | was the one who was relied
upon to attend to matters OF this kind
but, unfortunately, !, too, was in prison
and under close watch.
So, in casting about for reliable friend,
Lyons decided TO ask the help OF Red
Leary, the bank burglar. who had been
associated with m hl,s ha nd in
$3000.O00 Manhattan bank robbery Word
was sent TO Leary and on the next "visi-
tors day. gentleman with high silk hat
and black gloves and lawyers green
bag drove up TO the prison and sent in
MS caro- TO the Warden-could Ned Lyons
lawyer" see his imprisoned client?
In this guse Red Leary high hat.
lawyers bag and gloves, swept into the
prison and was courteously allowed an
Interview with my husband Ned ex-
planned that two important things were
Deeded--a visitors pass properly signed
with the Warden's signature, and a care
rully selected disguise for the escaping
man to use. Could Red Leary attend
to these two matters? RED" Leary could.
and with much pleasure-and the first
move In the proceedings then and there
was to carefully chew up his pass into a
wad and tuck 1t behind his upper molar
teeth.
Ncu Lyons was led back to his cell and
his lawyer" put on his silk hat and arose
to leave. He began searching his pockets
AND his green bag for his missing pass,
An attendant helped him. Then the
keeper at the door took hand and looked
through his pocket-book and papers while
the lawyer" in much distress turned
HIS pockets inside out. But no pass could
be found
AT last the principal keeper. Connaugh
ton, was called and he reprimanded the
lawyer severely for his careessness. but
hnaily allowed the visitor to depart-and
behind Red Leary's back teeth was dhc
pass that was so much needed III forging
fresh one with the proper day and date
on IT. Leary returned to New York and
enlisted the services OF friend who was
an expert check forger and soon had a
pass that the Warden OF Sing Sing him
seiI would not know was forgery Ard
this precious piece OF paper was Snug.
s'eu IN 10 Lyons and ne hid Il In n crack
In me iioor OF his cell. Ned planned IN
use th's pass In making his escape n be
could get wig to cover his cIoseiv
cropped mead. false beard TO disguise
ms race and suit OF clothes TO repIace
ms prison stripes in time for the nov,
VISITORS day. '"e next
oed Leary was to call TO see mo tbe
next cay and ! wss 20 arrange with bIn,
aoout securing theBe necessarics Thav
were to be left In an obscure cornor - =