Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-12

"SS "HcH the night Waterman
Iaiicd to put In an appearance at tho
regular time. When more than half
an hour had passed and the watchman
had not appeared. Bailey struck out
on tour OF investigation. In the CUT
uhs room OF the overall department.
on the fourth floor. he discovered tho
Waterman and his two silent COM
pahions. He lost no time in cutting
the bonds which held them and re-
moving the gags from their mouths
leaving the men to regain tho use
OF their cramped limbs, Bailey rushed
dowh TO the yard to raise the alarm.
put was stopped short by the locked
barrier which separates tho factory
from the penitentiary proper He sue
ceeded In attracting the attention Of
Lee Wyrick. who carried the news to
the night keeper, j. r. Mullins. Super
intendent j. B. Wood. OF the peniten-
tlary. was at once notified, and the
alarm became general.
GENERAL ALARM SENT TO
CITY AND COUNTY POLICE
Major Wood Immediately notified the
cry police, and general alarm was
spread from headquarters. Early in
the night the news OF the escape was
known to every police officer in the
city and county, and had been sent by
telephone and telegraph to all nearby
s.atiohs. The city detective and police
the railroad freight yards TO prevent
escape by outgoing trains.
Under the direction of Major Wood
the penitentiary premises were sub
Jected TO. thorough search, as was
also the territory in the Immediate
vicinity. No trail Of the refugees was
pIScovercd. The police were Of the
pehci last night that the convicts will
not be able To cvade recapture
Al burton
serving term for murder, was known
az an expert penman. According tn
penttentiary officials he wrote a beau
tiful hand, and was proud of the ac-
complishment.
NOTE LEFT IN CUTTING ROOM
SHOWS PLAN OF ESCAPE
The escaping quartet left behind
them In the cutting room the follow
ing note. apparently in Burton's hand
writing:
Richmond. Va, January IL, 1915.
TO Whom 1t May Concern:
We. the undersiSners, agree indi-
Fidually to make our escape from tho
virginia State Prison, If possible. We
further pledge ourselves to harm no
one. why we go 10 such extremes is.
orlehy. that Is the only way we can
get justice. Three OF US at least have
made applications for executive elem
ency. and found none. The fourth is.
as any one can see, serving an unjust
additional term of five years. 1t is true
We nave utmost confidence in Major
wood. yet we arc assured he cannot
chanGc the laws and customs OF Vir-
rinia Lastly, wc agree to take moth
ing from either guard or foreman-if
so. such must be returned by mail
(Signatures) R y. BURTON.
HARRY HAMILTON,
SlI,ER ATKINS.
IL. B. HANLY."
MAD WRITTEN NOTE OF
ENDORSEMENT AS BOONNEEPEI,
In the pockets Of Atkinss trousers
was found Il note apparently written
By the same man that wrote the Joint
declaration. recommending one Johr
fcartnan as an expert bookkeeper
and accountant. who is at the same
time straight honest and Industrious.
The note is signed by John Jones. 1t
was evidently intended as faxed note
oil recommendation to be dispalyed by
one OF the convicts in applying for
work. after the escape should have
been accomplished.
yard brakeman in the Richmond.
Fredericksburg and Potomac freight
Yards reported to the police last night
that he had seen two figures on ton
of the northbound passenger train
which left Byrd Street Station at 500
O'Clock last night. Officers Whitlock,
Clarke and Harris proceeded TO Acca
on freight and subjected the yards to
thorough search without finding
race of any OF the refugees Cities
along the line were notified TO be on
the lookout
Hamilton, the twenty four-year old
iorger from Danville, has served pre-
Hious term in the penitentiary. At the
time of his arrest and conviction on
the two forgery charges he was out
on conditional pardon. During his
iirst term in the penitentiary he was
Hnown as Harry Mills.
HAMILTON HAS BEEN
TWICE CONVICTED
Upon his arrest and conviction the
second time. hamilton was sentenced
TO serve one year each for the two
forSerics charged against him To this
was added two years. six months and
;wenty-eisht days. which he had for
fei;cd from his first sentence by break
ing his parole. and five years more
for the second conviction. With good
| behavior his term would have ex-
pircd on August 81, 1921.
Al his first conviction Hamilton told
the police that he was a native of Mont
Eomery County. During his second trial
and on the records of the pentcntiary
he was recorded as native of Roam