Evening journal., 1913-08-21
JAIL BREAKERS
KEEP OUT OF
POLICE PATH
Local Authorities on Hunt for
Virgins Expecting Him
to Come Here
HAD PLANNED LONG
TO MAKE ESCAPE

So far the Philadelphia authorities
nor the police OF any other city have
been unable to get a trace of Homer
Cleveland Virgins, aged 19 years
whose home is at No. 217 South Har-
fison street this city. the murderer of
Patrolman Bowling. Of Philadelphia.
and his pal. Charles Taylor. a thief.
both of whom escaped from the East
ern Penitentiary, Twenty-frst street
and Fairmount avenue. Philadelphia,
at o'clock, yesterday morning. The
local police are watching Virgins
home, but they do not expect the
young man to come direct TO VIII
mington.
No trace OF the men has been uncov-
cred, Details of their dash 10 liberty
and complete descriptions of both men
have been flashed to police of cities
and towns within radius of 100 miles
OF Philadelphia. Warden Robert j.
Mckenty. Of the Eastern Peni
tentiary, says the men had no money
aud is confident that their capture will
be a matter Of few hours. The men.
ACCORDING TO theory entertained by
detectives. headed for the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad tracks in Fairmount
Park and boarded a freight Ac-
cordingly. the search is being pushed
along the route Of the y. and o.
The cleverness Of the prisoners in
escaping has amazed Warden Me-
kenty and the guards. The warden
declared that each Of the watchmen
was al his post, and that no ono can
be ccnsured. He added that the boy
murderer and the burglar-counter-
teiter had luck with them and could
not repeat the escape il given another
opportunity.
The confusion following the discov-
cry that the men had escaped excited
the prisoners. who shouted. beat upon
cell doors and raised terrific clamor
BY telegraphic taps upon radiator
plpos, word was flashed along that
the prison was. afire and some Of the
prisoners pleaded thar they be fber-
ated, believing that they we're imper-
lied by flames Though Warden Nc
kenty and the guards knew at 2.2S a
m that an escape had been made. they
we're unaware how many had flown OF
the identity Of the men until an hour
later. Guards were compelled to visit
each cell before the vacant one occu-
pied by Virgins and TAYLOR was dis
covered.
The prisoners were TRUSTEES" and
became cellmates about six months
ago. WiEgna. who Is Ia years Old
and one Of the Youngest prisoners IN
Cherry Hill" Was nicknamed "crs
baby because Of his continual cryins
spells. Taylor resented the taunts o
the prisoners. aud showed such friend
ship for the lad that the guards were
convinced il would be wise to nut tn,
youth IN charge OF the older man.
Taylor. who is hoxmakor b, trade
again took Up his tools after reachin,
the penitentiary. Wiggins became al
apprentice. The. two working To max
articles for sale, q privilege extendei
to all prisoners. This accounts 70
the mems possession of the wood on
Of which they built the ladder The
had had the strips of wood stored II
their cell. none longer than FIVE feet
and tho strongest a half-inch thick
I'm addition TO the ladder. the mel
employed l5-foot rope to make thei
escape They made it by piecin,
skeins Of yarn and bits Of cord unti
IL was strong enough to bear the
weight of man They tied one en-,
OF the rope to the top of the ladder
wedged tightly against the wall anC
then slid down il to the sidewalk.
Warden -Mckenty believes the meI
started TO file the lock several dayi
ago, secreting the cuttings with putt
or chewing gum. The men had a fl,
as one of their tools The lock is al
iron hook about third of an incl
thick. It is used to secure the doc
which is left ajar about Ave inches
for ventilation
Mrs Virgins when seen at he
nome today said that in all the let
ters She had received from her sol
he expressed himself as satisfied Will
the treatment accorded him and CAV
no hint that he desired liberty an,
was making preparations to gain II
She said she was sorry he escapes
for she hoped the penitentiary woul'
make a better man OF him.