Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-03-03
STORY OF THE PRISON
BREAK JULY 3, 1883
Fourteen Prisoners Make a
Desperate Break to Regain
Their Liberty.
GANG SEIZED THE WARDEN
Guards Fire on Escaping COnvicts,
Killing Three and WOunding
Tmee-Eight Escape.
GANG SEIZED THE WARDEN

The death few days ago Of George
Collins, who was warden Of the state
prison 1882 to 1884, and superintend-
,ent from 1884 to 1887 recalls the big
prison break made July 3, 1888, the
account of which follows. The story
is taken from the Daily Talk a little
5-column paper published here at that
time by Conoyer & Co., in its issue of
July 9 1888, and we are indebted to
Sam e. Foster, Of this city, for the
copy of the paper from which it was
taken,
The Story.
At about half past nlne o'clock this
morning the people of our quiet city
were surprised by the appearance of
messenger from the penltentiary,
bringing the startling news that an at
tempt had been made by the prisoners
at the state prison to oyerpower the
guards and officers and make their es-
cape. The number that succeeded in
getting outside the enclosure or stock
.ade was fourteen, eight of whom sue
.ceeded in gaining their liberty and are
still at large, the remainder being
either killed or wounded by Guards
saltwater and Allie Veatch, The fol-
lowing are the particulars as we learn
ed them:
A plot had been perfected by the
prisoners at work in Goldsmith q
Lowenberg's foundry, to overpower
some of the officers, and at certain
signal make a break for freedom Ac-
cordngly, this morning, at about half
past eight o'clock, as Warden Collins
was coming from the brick yard on the
east side of the penitentlary, to his Of
flee, Mr. Fletcher, one Of the over
seers, told thin that trouble was brew
ing among the prisoners. AS he spoke
and while passing near the foundry,
McKern and Gid Bichamp, the ring
leaders, rushed out, followed by about
thirty of their striped aCcomplices,
who Immediately seized upon Collins
and Fletcher and marched them in
front up to a small gate on the north
west side of the prison, where Milford
saltwater was standing guard, telling
the guard that II he shot any of them
they would kill Collins and Fletcher.
Notwithstanding these threats Stillwa-
ter took aim and pulled the trigger
but the gun missed fire. Running to
his stand he secured another gun and
fired at random into the crowd, in
stantly killing one Of the prisoners
named Charles Brown, the ball enter
ing his head just above the right ear
and ranging downward. At this time
Fletcher succeeded in freeing himself
and closing the gate, prevented the re-
mainder Of the prisoners from escap-
Ing. In the meantime the guard fired
again wounding McKern, one Of the
leaders, the ball taking effect In the
lower part of the hip, Just as they
were entering the office for the pur'
pose of securing firearms. Bnraget
at the good craftsmanship, and the in
roads Mr.. saltwater was making II
their ranks, Smith, one Of the gang, at
tempted to cut the throat Of Warder
Collins, he having before threatened t
do so Mr.. Gobat, the turnkey, observ
ing this action, drew his pistol ant
attempted to fire, but was overpower
ed by the convlcts, but not till he hat
fired one shot, which took effect II
the wall of the office. Mr.. Gobat is al
unerring marksman, and would hav
killed his man had not his arm beei
thrown aside by one Of the gang.
The affray was now getting interest
ing. Smith, realizing the situation
grabbed a tamping iron, which .ha,
been taken from the foundry from an
other prisoner, and attempted I
strike the turnkey on the head, bu
Mr.. Collins, by an almost superhuma
effort, managed to get between tn
men just in time to receive the fuI
...ai,t,t 90 H. bio,,t 4torolty 90 ,,ino th
life of Mr. Gobat The iron abov
mentioned is used in making mold
and Is an ugly weapon when in tn
hands Of a desperate villain, as thI
man was.
The conyicts now began their scare
for arms, but found none except a
unloaded rifle belonging to Superb
tendent Stratton. and the turnkey