Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-20
USING GIRL FOR SHIELD.
C0NWCTS MAKE BREAK
FOR FREEDOM; I SLAIN

NALESTER, OKLA, Jan. 2o.-Ef-
forts were being made to-day to iden-
.ifv a large motor car that stood
without the gates of the State Peni-
tertiary for more than an hour night
before last. 1t was believed that the
occupants Of this car smuggled into
the prison the revolvers that were
used by three prisoners whose dash
for liberty cost seven lives and caused
the wounding of three other persons.
The seven persons killed were:
JOHN R. THOMAS, formerly
member of Congress from Illinois.
H. H. DROVER, superintendent of
the Bertillon department of the pris-
on
PATRICK OATES, assistant depu-
~ warden.
F. C. GODFREY, a prison guard.
CHARLES KOONTZ, serving 4
sentence of 40 years for manslaugn-
ter.
TOM LA.yE, serving Ave years FOR
forgery.
CHINA REED, serving two years
for theft.
Girl Used as Shield Ic Shot.
Among the wounded was Miss Mary
Foster, the prison telephone operator,
who was held in front of the three
mutlnous prisoners as a shield when
they ran from the prison yard. John
Martin, a turnkey. was shot through
the cheek. C. L. Wood was wounded
on the arm.
The mutlny was started at the end
Of Yesterdays work. The three armed
rrisoners-Reed, Lane and Koontz-
attacked Turnkey Martin and took his
keys. Oates fell dead with a bullet
in his heart before he could defend
himself A random shot killed Dro-
yer. Godfrey fell dead when he at
tempted to stop the mutineers.
Judge Thomas was evidently mis-
taken for the warden, and he was
dropped by all thre, of the prisoners
firing at once.
After wrecking the telephone
SWlLtubOdTu, lue three DIlSOIHIS
dragged Miss Foster into the yard.
One shot fired at TIL m as they ran
across the yard holding the girl in
front of them struck Miss Foster IL
the leg.
Attack Turnkey First.
The attempted mutiny occurred at
the end of the days work. Reed.
Lane and Koontz worked in the tailor
shop, and when their work was end
ed they approached the back door
Of the office in the Administration
Building. There they met Martin, the
turnkey, They told him they wanted
to see the parole officer. AS Martin
opened the door Reed struck him re-
peatedly with a large revolver, shot
him through the cheek and robbed
him Of his keys.
The prisoners, all armed with re-
NolVers and shouting to others to fol-
low them, ran toward the warden'S
once, There they met Cakes, the as
slstant warden, and before he could
defend himself Reed shot him through
the heart
The greatest confusion ensued.
Convicts ran about shouting words of
encouragement 10 the muUEeerS. by
thls time the guards were alert and
began firing. A random shot passing
through door in the office of Drover,
the Bertillon officer, killed him. He
was rushing to aid his fellow officers
when he fell.
Godfrey, the guard, sprang directly
INTO the path of the mutineers, dis
charging his revolver at them. He.
100, fell a victim to Reeds deadly
aim
Judge Thomas was sitting in the
Wardens office awaiting the return
OF Warden r. w. Dick, with whom
ne mad business engagement.
There must be some trouble out
side he said as he arose and walked
toward the door of the warden's Of