New-York tribune., 1921-12-12
Terrible Tommy O'Con.
nor Flees Chicago Jail
With 2 Others After Bat
lie; Clear 12-Foot Wall
Under Sentence To
BeHangedThursday
Underworld Power Forces
Motorists to Help Him
Reach Car i'm Waiting
Special Dispatch to Tns Tribune

CHlCAGO, UeC. ia Trio OF deS-
perate criminals, led by "Terrible Tom
nv O'Connor, whose hanging was
scheduled for next Thursday, overpow-
cred their guards at the Cook County
isil to-day, beat them into insensibl-
itv and escaped after running battle
down five flights of stairs, across a
courtyard and over a twelve foot wall.
Two other prisoners who took part in
The escape plot were caught before they
could scale the wall.
Tonight the police are searching the
South Side underworld armed with riot
guns and under instructions to shoot
on sight to kill.
The jail-break was similar in many
respects to the escape of Tom Slaugh-
ter murderer and bank robber, from
the Jail at Little Rock, Ark, last
Thursday, which ended in Slaughter
being killed by one of the men he freed.
0'Connor's companions in fight were
Edward Darrow and James La Porte,
who were serving terms for robbery.
Those whose escape was prevented
when they tripped as they tried to
climb the wall were Charles McDer-
mott, safe-blower, and Clarence Spon-
sgal, serving ten years for robbery.
Politicians Friends of Leader
The iailbreak gave evidence that
%-.l = j.
sstance. He is power in the under
world and is said to command unlim-
tied support from certain politicians.
A large sum of money was raised
among gamblers and saloon keepers
for his defense when he was tried for
the murder of Detective Sergeant Pat
rick O'Neill, but he was convicted and
sondemned to the gallows. A new trial
was denied him only yesterday. The
police say he has been connected with
seven murders.
this morning, when seventy-hve pris-
oners were exercising in the "bull
pen" at the county Jail. Some one
had supplied O'Connor with an auto
matte pistol and he and five others
pounced upon David Starruss, the only
guard in the pen, gagged and bound
him and beat him insensible. Hearing
the connection, two other guards dashed
into the big inclosure, but O'Connor
pushing his pistol into their breasts,
ordered them to put UP their hands.
Other prisoners fell upon them and
beat them unconscious. From one of
key that unlocks several doors. They
dashed down stairs, unlocking doors
and beating guards who stood in their
path They reached the basement
opened another door and passed into
courtyard. Leaping the wall, O'Con-
nor and two of the prisoners jumped
into waiting automobile. 1t broke
down block away, but they forced
the owner out of another car and
dashed away.
Stl!i another car was commandeered
further along the route of escape.
The owner was forced to drive at top
speed to point about two miles from
the jail, when O'Connor reached over,
turned the steering wheel SO that the
car ran on to the curb, leaped out,
fred a bullet at the owner of the
machine to terrify him and then clam
bered into big touring car, appar-
emily waiting for him. That was the
last seen of him.
Had Liberty of Jail
Had the usual procedure of con-
ming condemned murderer in q
death cell been followed" said Chief
OF Police Fitzmorris tonight, "O'Con-
nor could not have escaped. The au-
tthorities will also want to know why
ne was permitted to mingle with sew
ehty-hve other criminals in the big ex-
sefcising room. He also has been al
.owed .5 to see many visitors, and one of
.hese must have supplied the auto
masic pistol he used to-day. In fact
tnere are many points, inside and out
siae n, the Jail, that require explanation
Ine only way we can hold O'Connor
40 dIl IN the morgae," the chief continued
we will have him back before Mon
gay morning, dead or alive" said the
detectives.
.UConnor. after killing Detective
sergeant ONeill, defed the police fo,
many months. He said, after he was
captured, that during his liberty he
ssed ssss.ended many dance halls, rode freely
through the parks, and did not restrict
ai3,. als movements in any way. Eventu.
cry the chase became SO hot that he
went wen" to Minneapolis. After a drunker
tssrouse tsse there, O'Connor, armed with
.na ae n,stols. entered sleeping cal
nnu. nnu undertook to terrify the negro
ffoiser The latter kicked him in The
sn.s; res, knocking him out of the car. vhs
s'"eer came back TO the assistance
al