Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-02-05
ASSAULT OFFICER.
DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO BREAK
FROM COUNTY JAIL.
GOODWIN, THE sJRRY MURDERER,
AND FELLOW PRISONER
INVOLVED.

Edwin Goodwin, the Surry boy held for
the murder of Capt. Harry G. Young on
Oct 20 last, and Harris Leavitt, com
mitted last week for breaking into the
Havey store at Tunk pond, made vicious
assault on Deputy Sheriff G. F. Newman
in the Jail corridor last Saturday after
noon in an attempt to escape. The at
tempt was frustrated by the presence of
mind and prompt action of Sheriff F. o.
SiIsby's wife.
The entrance to the Jail is by heavy
iron door opening from the Jail office. In
side this door is door of bar iron in the
shape OF quarter-circle forming cage,
from which one entering the Jail can view
a large part of the corridor before enter
ing. This arrangement allows the turn
key to close the iron door behind him be-
fore unlocking the cage door, and is pre-
caution against escape by sudden attack
on the person opening the door. The
outer iron door locks from the outside,
with snap lock. 1t cannot be opened
from inside, and even the turnkey, if he
closes it behind him, must be released by
someone outside. The keys to the cage
door he carries with him.
1t has been the practice for the officers
in entering the Jail for moment to leave
the outer door open to avoid the Incon-
venience of calling someone to open it,
locking the cage door behind them as they
entered. The five prisoners now in the
Jail have hal the freedom of the Jail cor
ridors short time at meal-times each day.
Saturday, shortly after l o'clock,
Deputy Sheriff Newman entered the Jail
to remove the dinner dishes. AS he en-
tered the Jail, only one prisoner was in
sight, and he sat at the table some dis
tance from the entrance.
Mr.. Newman unlocked the cage door
and stepped in. As he partially turned to
relock it, Leavitt stepped quickly and
silently from nearby cell and dealt him
blow over the head, just back OF the
righ. ear, with club. AT the same mo-
ment Goodwin pounced upon him and
bore him to the floor.
The officer was stunned by the blow and
suddenness of the attack, but did not en-
tirely lose consciousness. He gave one
call for help, which was heard by Mrs.
Silsby in another part of the house.
STRUGGLE FOR KEYS.
A struggle for the keys ensued. In put
ting his hand over the officers mouth to
stifie further calls for assistance, Goodwin
got one finger in his mouth, and the
officer shut his teeth upon it.
Mrs. Silsby had heard the first call,
however, and rushing to the Jail office,
shut the outer door. The siamming of
the door was the signal to the prisoners
that the game was up. At the same time
the three other prisoners in jail-John w.
Smith, John Crowell and Arthur Huntley-
came to the officers assistance, and Good
win and Leavitt retired to their cells, and
the keys were turned on then.
All this happened in less time than ii
takes to tell it. The dispositions of the
three prisoners Smith, Huntley and
Crowell were taken by County Attorney
Graham Monday. According to their
story, they went to the officers assist
ance at the first call for help.
Huntley, who was nearest the scene oi
the attack, says he heard the blow and
looked up in time to see the officer
stagger back and Goodwin pounce upon
him and bear him to the floor. He called
the two others prisoners, who were in a
cell in the further corridor, and they
hurried to the officers assistance.
Crowell, according to their story,
stepped between Goodwin and the officer
as the former, who had taken possession
of the club, was about to hit Mr.. New
man as he lay upon the floor. Then the
outer door slammed and Lsavitt and
Goodwin backed off,
SUMMONED ASSISTANCE.
After shutting the door, Mrs. Silsby
called for outside assistance, and Mr..
Newman was released. He was still dazed
from the blow on the head, and his face
and mouth were scratched and bleeding.
Except for a yery sore head few scars