The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-05-09
Attempted Jail
Break Frustrated

N. C. Schmidt and Ernest Gomez
who were arrested two weeks age
on the charge Of stealing the launcf
Madeline from W. E. Sutherfano
Of Orcas, were arraigned before
Justice of the Peace, c. E. Hacket'
and bound over to the Superior
court, each having imposed upon
him a $500 bail. which they were
unable to furnish.
On account of the seriousness
Of the charges against them. and
the attitude of the men, the sheriff
appointed Felix Marian, deputy
sheriff and assigned him to night
duty. "
At 11:45 last Friday night. Dep
uty. Sheriff Marian heard suspicious
noises, and was aware that the pris-
eners were attempting to make
their escape. but was unable to as
certain the extent of their labors.
At 12::45 the noise was considerably
louder. Marian then ran across
the way and awoke Frank P. Chris
tensen and told him that the prison-
ers were planning jail break.
Marian then stationed himself at
the front door Of the Jail and Chris
tensen at the rea- corner of the
court house facing the Jail. It was
very dark and neither of the men
could see where the other was
standing.
1t soon became apparent from the
noise that the prisoners had nearly
sawed their way out, so Christensen
halIooed to Marian. but getting no
answer fired shot toward the Jail,
which was Immediately answered by
Marian from his station. AS soon
as the shots were fired the prisoners
ceased their labors and wele not
heard again.
When daylight came Marian
found that the prisoners had made
hole about six inches wide an d
two and one-half feet long from
their cell to the outside.
When sheriff Boyce came on duty
at seven O'Clock the prisoners con-
fessed at once their attempt to es-
cape, and their only regret was that
they had not had five minutes more
before being stopped.
Examination Of the Jail shows
that the walls are constructed by
laying 2x4s fiat one on top of the
other, and outside of that layer Of
thin rustic. The prisoners had cut
out seven pieces Of 2x4. each two
and one-half feet long. This had
been done the night before their at
tempt to escape, because the inside
of their cell. where they are locked
up at night. contained nothing OF
the 2x4, they evidently having burn
ed them in the day time, when they
are allowed the use of the whole jail.
The opening, beginning at the floor.
was cut so that they might conceal
the same by showing their cot up
against it. On the night of their
attempt they had nothing but the
rustic to remove and they did this
by boring holes around the edge.
and then using small chisel to
take out, the splinters. They had
removed about one-fourth of the
rustic when they were stopped.
The tools found on them are
what is known as the Y Yankee Kit. !"
which consists Of small saw. screw
driver, file, two chisles and 9 gim-
let, all newly sharpened. These
tools are kept in the handle when
not in use. but when wanted are
fastened into a socket in the tool.
There was also found fisherman's 8
baitknife. The prisoners cla ! %
that these tools were thrown 70
them from the outside during the
early part Of the week.
The authorities have reliable In
formation as to the parties concern-
ed il the attempt to assist the prls-