The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1921-09-08
PRISONERS IN LUBBOCK JAIL Make
ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE WEDNESDAY
ATTACK THE SHERIFF AND HIS WIFE WHEN THEY CARRY
PRISONERS THEIR MEALS
TAKE GUN FROM SHERIFF In THE SCUFfLE
Deputy Sheriff McCooch Appeared and Assisted Driving
Prisoners Back the Cells Without Serious Injury
Anyone-Thn Was Their Second Attempt

Sam Gates, charged with murder,
Hewlett Smith, charged with forgery;
and j. ID. Callahan, charged with
burglary; made a bold, but unsuc-
cessful attempt to overpower the
sheriff and escape, while he was
serving their noon meals. The facts
as related to the Avalanche are as
follows: The sheriff and his wife
went upstairs to feed the prisoners
al about 1890 p. m. Mr.. Holcomb
unlocked the prison door and his
wife entered and handed Sam Gates
platter containing the food, but
instead Of taking the platter Gates
rushed past her and grabbed her hug
band around the waist and cried ont,
come on Smith," In response to
Gates cry Smith showed Mrs. HoI-
comb aside and pinioned the sheriff's
arms behind his back. The sheriff
fought with the two men for some
minutes before they overpowered
him and took his gun, after getting
the gun, Gates stepped back a few
feet with the gun drawn on the sher-
If and commanded him to throw up
your hands, put 'em up"
While Gates was holding the gun
on Mr.. Holcomb, Smith and Callahan
caught hold Of Mrs. Holcomb and
tried to gag her to prevent her max
ing any outcry. They scuffled and
choked her severely while Gates
standing in the hallway with the
drawn gun on her husband. Just
az this time John McCulloch, the
depupty sheriff. who had planned for
a trip out in the country with the
sheriff. appeared upon the scene.
from the stairway he discovered the
perilous position OF Mr.. and Mrs.
Holcomb and threw his gun down on
Gates, the sheriff seeing his deputy
cried out, "shoot him John" the dep
utv fired but missed his mark, the
ball passing under Gates left arm
After the shot was fired Gates sprang
for the door where the sheriff was
standing but the sheriff grappied
with the prisoner and was success
ful in wrenching his gun from him.
and the three prisoners made for
their cell.
This Is tho second time Gates and
Smith have made an effort 20 escape.
but we understand il viii be their
last opportunity as they will be kept
r the dark cell in the future--hav-
inf fully demonstrated by their ac-
iions that they in no sense appre-
ciate good treatment. and apparently
win resort 10 most any means to ef-
feet their escape
The history OF Gates IN the courts
OF this section i we'll known by most
reople, and while bis associates are
not charged with AS many crimes as
Gates they seems Go 1a working them
-elvr. up 90 rather s'ri us 1ffenses.
Gates is nov awaiting appeal IF
his casc in the charge of the murder
of Judge Burton some time ago, for
which b. has twice been convicted
and sentenced to the penitentiary.
Once for ninetr-nine years and the
60 nd time Cor fourteen years. He
H. also under sentence for forgery
in Crosby county or four wears
II is reported hat Gates has de-
cided ~ take the fourteen years SEN
, tence and Withdraw his appeal. how
over. at this time we have not been
ahic 10 verify this report