The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-01-07

plcte darkness and Griffith went over
the wall. Word was Immediately sent
broadcast but Warden Terrell and other
officials are OF the opinion that the
murderer got away in an automobile
and that the ESCAPE was pre-arranged
though those on the outside may not
have been aware OF the desperate means
that Grfriths intended TO use.
Damage Of Thousands
A survey OF the kleeson factory
showed that the damage will run into
some thousands OF dollars. The IRE
was started on the first floor, stock
room, containing thousands of rolls OF
cloth. The cutting room and machines
are on an upper floor.
1t Is thought that the aCcompl!ceS OF
Griffith sneaked in, after breaking IN
a door on the lower floor OF the kleeson
factory. and set fire to the place. While
Griffith went across the road TO put fAe
light machinery out OF business
He feared that Lewis would wake up
and interfere with his fell design so
he simply killed him with the knife and
then cut down McCray who opposed him
after he cut the belt.
Then the accomplices. Mortified at tn"
measures that Griffith had taken re-
fused 70 act any further in the plot -
escape and were herded In with the
others by the guards.
When the lights went out and the FIRE
was At It's height Warden Terrell fear
ing thar murder was stalking abroad
sent a guard upstairs TO reassure Mrs
Terrell and her little ones.
Order IS Restored
As soon as order was restored IN the
penitentiary preparations for the man
hunt commenced. The steam whistles
at the pen had sounded the moment an
escape was made certain and soon after
tho count was made. word was sent to
every city near By 10 head off the es-
capped convict.
Rcnword called up and stated that IN
auto had whirlcd through that town
with two suspicious looking men in II
and soon after telephone messages were
coming in from all points.
The peuitentiary officials feared that
tho fugitive might make Wheeling and
he able 10 hide out with some one IN
his CITY that ne knew. Shortly after
Griffith was placed in the Moundsvile
pen. wears ago. he hid out one night, but
was unable 10 get over the walls.
LEFT Dummy in Cell
CAPTAIN Athcy stated that Griffith
made a perfect dummy and left IN MS
bot and the fact WAS not discovered
ma, ne had not slept in his cell until
the mex; morning when he was found
in his yard.
Later on. ne got hold OF a set or
draughtSman's instruments and had the
rear of his cell honey-combed with min
ute holes and would have soon been able
to have gone through and made his
way into the corridor.
$500 For Capture
II mean what say when offer $500.
for that mans escape" said Warden
Terrell last night. And want to see
him hanged That boy Henry Lewis.
was q man. IL he was convict. He
came here from karawha county. on
forgery charge. but he had the respect
- every one in the!nstitutton.
"Mcjgs M,C'ray IS in on a hold-up
rharGr and is = trusty in the engine
room. They may be convicts but either
ono Of them would have laid down his
III. t"v tn" institution"
During the excitement and the dark
n.ss inItha prison pandemonium reigned
in the womens Department. The fe-
males had not been locked up and were
in the corridor or their separate build
ing There are forty-four female prison
crS. many of them coIored. ana the!r
screams rcechoed through the place.
They were finally assured that II
there was any danger It couldn't reach
them and they quieted down..
Guard Kleeson Plant.
Las: night the guards were doubled
in the prison enclosure and q number
OF trustv conricts were placed about
the Kleeson company's plant with Ian
terms. and given orders to give an alarm
1t the first outbreak at the office.
The damage. according to proprtetors
II tho factory will run into several
thousands Of dollars as the whole stock
Is wet down and II will take some time
to clean and renovatc II and start oper-
atons
warden Terrell's Statement.
Through an lntelliCcnCcr reporter last
evening. Warden J. Il. Terrell gave out
the following official statement:
w II. Griffith. a life prisoner from