The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-12-16
THREE CRIMINALS FIGHT
WAY FROM PRISON
"TWO-GUN TOMMY" O'GONNOR, DOOMED
TO HANG YESTERDAY - BEAT DOWN
GUARDS, SCALE HIGH WALL AND
ESCAPE IN, TWO STOLEN AUTO.

]
Chicago, Dec. 11.-Tommy O'Con-
nor, Two Gunman,'' sentenced to- be
hanged Thursday for murder, and
two other notorious criminals. to-
day escaped from the county Jail,
fighting their way past half dozen
guards. most of whom were beaten ins
to unconsciousness by the despera-
does in their dash for liberty
Starting in the fourth floor 'fbuIl
pea, where the prisoners We're exer-
clsing at IL o'clock this morning. the
break for freedom led down five floors
through the basement, into the iaii
yard. and over e12-foot wall to q
street, where an automobile was con-
flscated. The driver, a pistol noked
into his face, was told to Drive like
hell"
A few minutes later the machine
crashed into a telephone pole, but the
bandits continued their flight O'Con-
nor Communicated another car and
when last seen the murderer, who has
been characterized by the police as
Chlcagos most desperate gunman.
was headed toward the South Side un-
derWorld. armed for battle. Two 9TH
ef prisoners who attempted to es-
cape with the trio were captured in
the Jail grounds.
The escape, carried out in broad
daylight. was the most sensational in
this part of the country in many
years. and apparently was carefully
planned. 1t was successful despite the
TACT That several jailers refused to
heed the threat of O'Connor's pistol
and risked their lives in trying to OBJ
struct his dash for liberty.
The two men who escaped with
OConnor were Edward Darrow.
charged with 100000 robbery. and
James La Porte, alleged to have been
implicated in $4,000 robbery.
OConnor had been in trouble with the
police on many occasions, but his an
parent immunity from conviction
earned him the title of Lucky Tom
N.Y."
: Last spring half dozen detectives
went to O'Connor's house to question
him about a crime. While they were
there Policeman Patrick O'Neill was
shot to death and O'Connor, later con-
vlcted of the murder, escaped DESPITE
the presence of half dozen officers.
most OF whom were suspended for
their apparent negligence.
After seyeNal weeks, Tommy's pro-
verbal luck failed, for he was cap
Lured in st. Paul, brought back here.
convicted and sentenced to hang. ,
SeVenty-hve prisoners were exercis-
ing in the bull pen" when O'Connor
and his Dals made their break.
David Strauss was the only guard
IN the room at the time One of the
men. according to Strauss, suddenly
whispered something to O'Connor.
ihe five prisoners in the Jail break
simultaneously jumped on Strauss,
JConnor drawing a revolver which
lad been smuggled to him. A sack
vas placed over Strauss head and he
vas beaten into unconsciousness.
)Connor repeatedly brought down the
)utt OF the pistol on the guards head.
Hearing the commotion, two other
guards. rushed into the "bull pens
)Connor ordered them to throw upl
heir hands, but they refused and
prang forward Apparently afraid
hat the sound of shooting would
'rlng SO many guards that escape
would be impossible, O'Connor did not
ire. The guards were beaten into un-
Consciousness.
One of the guards had the keys to
he jail and these were taken from
i'm. The five men y dashed for the
reight elevator, but ran into an as
istent taller. Pointing the revolver at
i'm, O'Connor shouted; Stand back.
r I'll blow you to hell!' i.
The taller sprang at 0'Connor, but
he criminal felled him and continued
is flight
Down to the basement, past two
lore guards, the convicts fled. and
hen started to scale the f2-foot wall
urrounding the jail Here two of the
risoners triped and were captured at
he foot of the wall, but O'Connor and
of n e 81 Z