Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-05
THREE PRISONERS MAKE
FIERCE ATTACK ON JA|LER
Fail to Gain Liberty After Hitting
Garnett Over Head With
Steel Bar.
POLICE RENDER ASSISTANCE
Bold Effort Is Made for Jail Deliy-
cry mt Henrico County Prison.
Two Are Accused OF Highway Rob
berry at Hopcweil.
POLICE RENDER ASSISTANCE

Attacking Jailcr r. G.. Garnett with
two steel bars and locking him In the
cell In which they had been confined,
'hree white prisoners attempted to
escape from the Henrico County Jail
yesterday afternoon shortly after 3
o'clock while they were being given
their dinner. That the attempt was
not successful was duo to tho re-
sistaDce offered by the Taller and tho
quick response of the City Police De-
partment. which had tho institution
surrounded within n few minutes after
the alarm was given.
Jailer Garnett was struck across the
head with the steel bar by one of the
men. the blow inflicting a deep cash
that bled profusely. He was also
beaten and choked. but was not So
riously hurt. \ call was sent in for
the city ambulance, and DR.. j. Fulmcr
Bright also treated him later. He was
found to be badly bruised. but the blow
across the head was not serious The
prisoners were unfamiliar with the jail,
and. while they had secured the jaiier's
revolver and keys. were unable to
make their escape before the Jail was
surroundd by city officers.
TWO ARE WANTED AS
HIGHWAY ROBBERS
Several other prisoners rushed to the
assistance of Mr.. liarnett when they
heard the struggle but were made to
return to their cells by the three men,
who threatened to use the revolver.
The men are William II. Padgett. H..
l.. Wheeler and L. II. Staunton. Both
Padgett and Wheeler arc charged with
highway robbery. and were being held
fnr fol. y4r no
thorities. They were brought to the
pending action by the grand jury OF
that city.
Staunton, who later denied his con-
nection with the attempted escape.
was arrested Thursday OH the charge
Of trespa SSlng on the Richmond, Fred
ericksburg and Potomac Railroad. He
said last night that the two men had
planned the escape some time before
he was brought TO the jail. County
officers. however, did not share this
belief. while other prisoners asserted
that Staunton had assisted Padgett
and Wheeler in their attack on the
iaiicr.
Mr.. Gsrnett was attacked just after
he had opened the corridor door to
allow n negro "trusty" to enter to feed
the prisoners in the west section of
the cell room. The jailer. had failed
to lock the prisoners In their cells,
the doors opening into the tier cor
ridor remaining open. The three men
had secreted themselves in the cell
nearest the corridor door and sprang
upon the jailer just after the "trusty"
had passed them. Mr.. Garnott was
dragge into the cell and struck across
the head with steel bar about two
feet long. which had been broken from
. bed in one of the cells. One prisoner
then took his keys and revolver.
GARNETT CALLS LOUDLY
For ASSISTANCE
MI three men ran from the corridor
and sEut the door, the lock falling
into place. They failed TO lock- the
door to the lever box. however. and
the jailcr was able to reach his hand
through the bars and unlock the door.
Mr.. Garnett. with blood gushing from
the cash cut on his head. ran to Il
window and shouted for help. The
three men In the meantime had hurried
TO the basement of tho Jail. trying to
find Al way OF escape. but returned to
the main cell room. y white prisoner
cRme to the assistance of Mr. C;arnett,
but after trying To gag him. the men
forced both the jailer and tho prisoner
into cell. They then tried to force
their way through rear window.
Several people heard tho cries OF MIR.
Garnett. Deputy Sheriff Lyons and
George Pryor. colored, jaintor at the
courthouse. were just across Main
street and ran to the Jail. store
keeper at Twenty-sccond and Main
Streets. also heard the cry for assist
ancc. and ran to the fire engine house
Continued Oh Second Page.l