The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-01-13
TRUSTY PRISONER
PREVENTS ESCAPE
GUARD ON GANG STRUCK DOWN
WITH AXE
Quick Action of Negro Foils Attempt
to Get OFF York
Changing
The State.

York, Jan. 5.-Only the loyalty,
presence of mind and daring of Bud
Mcdaniel, negro trusty, who covered
the convicts with the wounded mans
shotgun and defed any one to move
on penalty Of instant death, prevent
cd the escape of squad of IL white
and negro chaingang prisoners, near
York, this morning after one Of their
number, John Reid, negro, had
Knocked Guard James Robinson un-
conscious with blow on the head
with an axe. Mcdaniel held the nlu-
tinous convicts at bay until help ar
rived at the result of summons car
ried to nearby farm house by Onie
Gr;er, another nego trusty.
The attack on the guard, evidently
part of prearranged plan of escape,
occurred two miles north Of York at
8 o'clock this moning while the con-
victs were being transported 10y truck
from their camp at Blacks mill, west
of York, to work On the Lincoln road.
AS the machine was passing through
dense woodland on either side OF
the highway, John Reid, serving a
three year sentence for shooting a
negress in Fcrt Mill township, picking
an oppcrtune moment suddenly reach
ed around the Gao in which Mr.. Rob-
inson was seated beside Bud McDan-
iel, the driver, and struck the guard
on the face just helcw the ear with
the back of an axe. Mr. Robinson
topDled over unconscious.
Then Mcdaniel, the negro ttuztsy,
got into the game Quickly Wrestling
the axe from the attackers hands,
THROWN ir:o reverse the truck en-
CINE and grabbing the helpless guards
shotgun and pistol, he leaped to the
ground and bringing the gun to his
shoulder. declared that he first man
who stirred from the truck would get
a load Of buckshot. Net a man NOV
ed. Mcdaniel then told The other
conyicts to squat while he shot John
Reid, the assa:lant of Mr.. Robinson,
but the order not being complied with,
he contented himself with holding
them in the truck, while he dispatched
the other negro trusty to summon as
sistance.
I White men of the vicinity were soon
on the scene and Sheriff Fred E.
Quinn mad Deputy Sheriff D. 7. Quinn
arrived shortly afterward, but the
mutiny had been quelled and there
was nothing to be done but to get
medical aid for Mr. Robinson, who
had regained consciousness, though
somewhat dazed and 5oewildered, lay
on the roadside covering the convicts
with his gun. He was brought to
York, where an examination revealed
that no bones were broken. He is sutf-
ering from shock and will not be lit
for duty for several days. Mr.. Rob-
inson doubtless owes his life-aside
from the interference of the trusty in
mis- behalf to the fact that when
striking hin? with the axe the negro
Reid was rot in position to use his
full strength.
Mr.. Robinson is about 80 years of
ace and is a veteran of the world war,
having served in the thick of the
fichtinc as a member of the Thirtieth
division.
John Reid, who made the attack, is
from Fort Mill township and has
about two and half years to serve
on three year sentence for shooting
a negress. That the attempt to kiil
Mr.. Robinson was part of carefully
laid plot for a general getaway IS
believed by those who are investigat-
ing the affair, though it is possible
that a few Of the convicts were not
in the scheme. Resistance from an
uneypected sources was what knocked
the plans awry. They were a crest
fallen and cnagrined bunch when men
from, the community arrived on the
scene.
Among the white prisoners in the
SQUAD was John Hudson, young man
from Rock Hill, who, while in jail
awaiting trial for housebreaking and
larceny, attacked Deputy Sheriff
7. Quinn and attempted to overpower
him.
Bud Mcdaniel, whose loyalty and
nerve foiled the plan Of escape, will
be recommended for a pardon by Su-