Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-18


Hs vas a~aisine trial Tor Forgery and was
wanted n several cities.
Following an Investigation conducted by
captain Of Detectives William schreslef, It
vas learned that the murderers. after
escaping from the jail fed to eth street.
shsncs TO Cooper and then turned in to
Anatier street they stopped momentarily
n front Of the house at 2os Amber street
% get their bearings. Here they were seen
ty . sister Of Elizabeth Dunbar, whom Ash
bridge murdered
She fed to the rear Of the house and told
: relative that Ashbridge had escaped,
on her return to the door both men had dis
appeared
It has been learned that no automobile
figured in the escape. The police believe
tnat the men reached the ferry and came to
this city.
The escape was we'll planned. After the
shooting in the Jail the murderers locked
the door on the outside, walked coolly past
policeman stationed at the door, and fed
IN the direction Of the railroad.
Ashbridge was not separated from the
other prisoners as such men usually are.
He was a model prisoner and indicated by
his demeanor that he had determined to
wait and meet his fate. He was allowed
last night in the large exercise cage with
other prisoners. All the cells opened into
This cage The prisoners were marching
back to their cells and Hibbs was standing
outside the locked cage door when Ash
bridge approached the door Of the cage and
called Hibbs in his usually friendly tone.
THE MuRDERERs TRICK.
II have something here I want to give
you." he said. The turnkey thought It was
letter to mail He opened the door. Ash
bridge pulled small package from his
shirt. The paper covering It fell to the
floor, revealing n cleaning revolver. Hibbs
gasped in amazement and prisoners peered
from the doors of the cell in half terror.
Before the turnkey could recover from
his surprise. Ashbridge swore at him and
told him TO throw UP his hands But the
turnkey was game. His hand went to his
back pocket Just then Thompson came
rushing in, 'Shoot Shoot quick" he
commanded Ashbridge didn't seem to have
the nerve to pull the trigger. Thompson
pulled the revolver from his hand and
shot Hibbs in the chest and stomach. In
the scuffle that followed the turnkey man
aged to get his revolver out He was about
10 raise II when a shot pierced his heart
and he fell dead at the feet of the two
Jail breakers.
Murmurs rose along the corridors, and
the prisoners ratified the cell doors in ter
TOR. Some of them denounced the two men
for shooting down the turnkey.
Like two highwaymen Ashbridge and
Thompson ran along the corridor
We'll kill the first man who shouts"
they said. The murmurs gradually faded
away. The prisoners knew that they would
keep their word.
SEARCH FOR KEYS.
They searched the clothing of the dead
turnkey hurriedly. but failed to find the
keys OF the outside door. They concluded
that these keys were carried by Ellis, the
other turnkey. He was in the jailors' room,
eating his supper.
Thompson approached this room eau
tiously with revolver in his hand and
opened the door. The turkeys back was
toward him. He had received many favors
from Ellis. He faltered considerably. But
the rattling of the cell doors resumed and
again there rose the murmurs of the
prisoners.
The turnkey jumped up. Ashbridge |
pulled the revolver from Thompson's hand |
and shot Ellis three times. One shot en-
tered his stomach. He called feebly for |
help as he fell to the floor The din of the |
prisoners increased and the jailbreakers |
bred several shots to quiet them.
The two desperate men then took the |
keys from Ellis, opened the door and en-
tered the public corridor. They locked the
door after them. This undoubtedly pre-
vented a jail delivery.
Very quietly Ashbridge and Thompson
passed down n winding stairway and were |
not recognized by any Of the court officials. |
This is the third escape of prisoners from
the Camden jail. Seven years ago William
Brown. awaiting trial for forgery broke
fail, and was afterward captured in New
York. He is now serving term in prison
n Atah N and rOrnDlatinR |
Eence there will be returned to Camden.
Another prisoner got away many years
ago and was never recaptured.
Sheriff Joshua Haines is greatly embar-
rassed over the tragedy He tried the plan
OF treating the prisoners kindly. This is
my reward" he said.
Albert Hibbs. son OF the murdered
was killed about six years ago
by negro.