New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-22
KILLS KEEPER IN VAIN
BREAK FOR FREEDOM
Neuro Criminal Tries to Shoot
Way to Liberty in
Trenton Prison.
GUARDS WERE AT SERVICE
Prisoner, Who Is Serving 10
Year Sentence, Wounded in
Fray and Is Taken in
Irons to Hospital.
fRy Telegraph to The Tribune J


Trenton. y. j.. Sept. 21.-"Black'
Diamond. a negro criminal noted FOR
his viciousness. tried to shoot his way
10 liberty to-day in the New Jersey
state Prison and the attempt cost the
life OF Eli B. Stetser. deputy keeper.
Diamond was caught together with
James Johnson. also a negro. Inc ef-
fort Of Diamond and Johnson 10 escape
occurred while the great mass Of con-
victs were attending the services in the
chapel.
Diamond is now in the hospital of
the institution with two bullets in his
body. He will live. Johnson is IN a
dungeon in irons. Both will be tried
for the murder Of Stetser.
The men had been returned 10 their
cells AZ 10 o'clock this morning. after
attending the first service of the day.
The second service had started and II
was time for the prison physician 10
see those prisoners who wished to con-
suit him. Johnson said he wanted 10
see the doctor, and he stepped out OF
his cell I'm wing No. |. Diamond then
signalled David Pierson, deputy. that
he. too. would like TO see the physician,
and he also stepped out.
Wing No. | is near where DIR. j..
Wellington Crane. the resident physi-
clan. sat with Stetser. who was on duty
at that time. When Diamond was cut
of his cell Johnson jumped back Of
Pierson and pinned his arms to his
side Diamond then took Persons re-
volver from his hip pocket and ran tOr
the centre wing of the prison. Pierson
struggled free from Johnson and fol-
lowed Diamond.
Pierson soon overlook the negro and
grabbed Diamonds arm, but in the
mean time the convict had fired two
bullets into the chest of Stetser Stet-
ser whipped his revolver from his
pocket and sent two bullets into the
prisoners right arm. The negro
dropped TO the floor. Johnson. who had
lost his nerve. was running around the
wing like a wild man. In a desperate
attempt 10 get in the prison yard lie
ran through a glass door.
Diamond was put in irons and taken
to the prison hospital. Stetser was
rushed [ ST. Francis Hospital. where
he died on the operating table. John
keeper, that he and Diamond had
planned the break for liberty, but he
said Diamond had promised faithfully
there would be no shooting.
1t was thought to have been the plan
OF the prisoners to shoot the keeper OF
the centre wing and then Kill the man
on the outside door lead ng TO the
street. They chose a time when they
knew most OF the guards would be IN
the chapel. The prisoners, however,
did not reckon on the door leading from
the centre wing to the outside hall way.
This door is always locked on the out
de. and even II the men had got by
Stetser they could not possibly nave
gone any further. and would have been
caught like rats in a trap.
William Diamond. known as Black"
Diamond. was sent TO the prison on
October II. 1911. from Somerset Coun-
ty. for fifteen .'ears. He has always
been known as particularly bad man,
and only three weeks ago he tried 10
get over the wall, but was caught For
this he went to the dungeon for IL
week and was then put to work In the
mat shop Johnson is serving five
years for larceny. Stetser was about
fifty years old and had been a deputy
for nearly twenty-five years.