The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-12
PurSuers of Escaped Gun Man
Must Not Capture Him.
Escape From Death Cell
"Framed," Says FitzmOrrls.
CONVICTED SLAYER HAD HELP
Three Jail Guards Are Sus-
pended by the Sheriff.
Fleeing Man "COmmaRdeered-
Four Autos Making Getaway.

Chicago, Dec. Il Cby the 4. P4.-
Lucky Tommy O'Connor, gunman
and killer. was to have been led today
to the death cell in the Cook county
jail there to await his hanging Thurs
day morning for the killing of a po-
liceman. but instead, he was leading
the combined force Of 1900 police
and deputies a merry chase. after a
sensational escape from the Jail
Fitzmorris threatened to suspend
any policeman who tries TO capture
O'Connor alive, and promised promo
tion to the man who kills him.
HE will never surrender so long
as he can shoot" the chief said, and
don't want my men TO take any
chances"
Fitzmorris charged O'Connor was
literally showed out" of the jail by
some official inside"
1T was deliberate conspiracy" he
said. 'They gave him everything but
a road way and street directory"
The question of O'Connor's legal
status if he remains at liberty past
the hour set for his hanging Thurs
day was cleared up today by the an
nouncement of Assistant States At
torney Lloyd Heath who prosecuted
OConnor, that he would appear be-
fore Judge Kirkham Scanlon Thurs
day to ask that O'Connors sentence
be prolonged.
Mr. Heath said this would be done
at each term of court until OConHor
is captured. obviating the necessity for
a new trial.
Four Jail guards were overpowered
by O'Connor and four other prisoners.
but O'Connor's reputation as a killer
suffered when he failed to use re-
volver which had been smuggle2 i;
him.
Charge Escape Was '.Framed."
The Jail break was characterized by
Chief OF Police Fitzmorris As n
'frame-up between OsConnor and the
Jail officials" and the chief ordered
his men to bring in O'Connor dead or
alive. Searching Inquiries were also
started by States Attorney Robert
Grove and Sheriff Charles Peters.
The sheriff suspended three guards
and also offered a reward of $500 for
O'Connor's apprehension.
Jail Guard David Straus. Darling
Dave O'Connor and several prisoners
were to be questioned again today.
Straus was quizzed at length but
failed to satisfy the prosecutors and
was removed to an outlying police sta
ton.
All Jail rules were violated in han
ding the prisoners. according to n
member of the state attorneys office.
Hundreds of reports have been re-
ceived by the police of O'Connor's hid
ing place but no direct trace OF the
ward Darrow.. his cellmate. and James
La Porte. convicted robber. has been
obtained.
O'Connor Had Plenty Help.
In inve~tigating reports of plans to
assist in the escape of O'Connor, Jail
officials say they learned that on SAT-
/ urday night a man drove an automn-
zile to the side of the jail and paced
up and down the street for three
hours. 1t also developed that C'Con-
nor had picked three able ''--nfeder-
, ates and each rendered excellent serv-
ice. Darrow, awaiting trial for 3 sf0,-
600 robbery, knew the interior of he
! ia /; La Porte, convicted of "A S30,g9
| robbery. was aware or the p position5 of
the guards. and Sponagel. n convicted
tea store" bandit, was picked hc-
cause of his massive frame and
strength.
The most generally accepted theory
to explain O'Connor's possession Of
the revolver is that at the last minute
he obtained it from some other pris-
oner in the bull pen" who would be
less carefully watched. The prisoners
had just been released from their in
| dividual cells to mingle in the norns
/ ing exercise period when the rush for
! liberty was started.
He Stuck Up Guard.
| O'Connor whipped out a gun, and
! showed it into Strauss ribs. Darrow,
took the key from Strauss hand. TIE
guard was carried inside. bound ami
gagged, O'Connor forcing the other
/ prisoners to the end of the cell block
! in the meantime
/ O'Connor, Darrow, La Porte, Spona-
! gel and McDermott then ran out OF
the cell block, down the stairs to the
third floor There they found two
guards who were also subdued by
J O'Connor. nth the gun; Both were
taken back upstairs and trussed and
gagged and thrown into the cell. just
vacated by O'Connor.
! The quintet used freight elevator
/ in getting to the basement, where they
/ forced a guard. who was watching
some "trusties' clean the kitchen. TO
part with his keys. These opened =
! door leading into an alley In the rear
of the Jail O'COnnor, DarroW. Ia
Porte and Sponagel were forced 10
climb a shed and drop into another
alley, before their way to liberty was
secured. Sponagel. heavy built man,
| broke his ankle when he dropped 70
the ground. McDerTnott and NUM-
/ Der of other prisoners tried also to
| escape but they were stopped by other
guards who had in the meantime
/ seized rifles.
Communicated -Four Autos.
Four automobiles were commsn-
/ deered by O'Connor and two of them
, anxiety to comply with the wishes OF
the trio KILLED" his engine before GO
ing a block. O'Connor boarded an
other car and fiourished his revolver
and demanded speed. His companions
deserted him when he jumped out
after the machine hit the curbing.
The next machine crashed into
4 ri