The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-31
NOTORIOUS SAFE
BLOWER ESCAPES
Albert DriscOll Gains Liberty
From Florida Prison
=
MANY TIMES PRISONER
Career of Noted Criminal Familiar il.
Alabama-Once Worked in Bir-
mingham After Being Par
doned by the Governor

Montgomery, December 3O-(Special J
Albert Driscoll the notorious Alabama
safe blower, has escaped from Jail at
Jacksonville, Fla, where he was held
pending his trial on the charge of rob-
bing the postoffice at Green Cove, Fla.
The news of Driscolls escape was heard
by officials of the Alabama convict de-
partment with little surprise, for ne
had been charge on their hands for
many years, and they recognized him as
one of the most desperate criminals of
his day.
DriscolPs career has lead him through
many prisons in southern states. He
was first heard of in Montgomery about
II years ago, when he and a side part
ner, J. E. Russell, were accused of rob-
bing the cash drawer at the Montgom-
cry theatre, which was operated by the
Hirscher brothers.
The robbery of the theatre followed
large receipts from the sale of tickets
for a performance which was billed to
be played here. The cash drawer was
filled and one night it was broken open.
Driscoll and Russell We're suspected.
They disappeared Later Driscoll was
found in Mobile, and later still Russell
was arrested. They were brought to
Montgomery, convicted and sentenced to
~ years III the penltenIldfy
Attempted Escape
Russell attempted to make his es-
cape during his trial, jumping from the
second floor of the Montgomery county
courthouse. He broke his arm and was
recaptured by a deputy The two were
sent to the Alabama penitentiary, and
weresforgotten for seven or eight years.
Then reports began to. come to the
governor and a rfJnp bpa r1 no t1Uo
criminals had reformed, and frequent
petitions We're made for their parole.
Attorney General Robert C. Brickell
persisted in opposing the applications,
but finally a majority of the board
recommended clemency, and the two
men were released.
Driscoll secured a position as salesman
for the Jefferson Powder company of Bir
mingham. For time he did we'll in his
new position, according to the reports
which reached the convict bureau, and
it was thought that he had completely
reformed.
One day the report came from Chatta-
nooga that Driscoll had been arrested and
that the government had found evidence
to convict him of robbing the postoffice
at Green Cove, Fla. Driscoll protested his
innocence. but was returned to Florida
to stand trial.
1T was learned that Driscoll had been
Sunday school worker at Green Cove,
and that he had won the heart of beau-
tiful young woman at that place. She be-
lieved him innocent, as well as a large
humber of people residing in and near
Green Cove.
Believed Him Guilty
The young woman continued TO assert
her faith in her lover. although her father
believed him guilty. The case was called
for trial December 1, and Dan G. Ira
wick, chief clerk in the convict depart
ment, went to Jacksonville to identify
Driscoll. The Illness of the trial Judge
caused a postponement OF. the case, and
Driscoll was remanded to Jail after his
failure to make a sufficient bond.
Driscolrs side parsner In crime, Rus
sell, was granted a parole shortly after
Driscoll was released lie dropped from
the public eye and has not been heard OF
in several months.