The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-09-27

The search, which was
joined by state police and
peace officers and v~igilantes
of almost all northern Indiana
cities, was spurred by a warn
ing issued by Captain Matt
Leach of the state police.
1--WE fear Sheriff Neel has been
slain" Captain Leach said. The
convicts were through with him
after they got away in his a and
abandoned it. They probably shot
him shortly after communicating
the second automobile"
Adding to the belief the sheriff
had been done away with was the
fact that five men first were seen
riding in the automobile and later
only four occupants were sighted.
The hunt for the criminals was
concentrated in two areas-a
swampy, deserted tract of land near
Chesterton, Ind, and the Chicago
vicinity.
Reserves May Be Called
A large force of men vas gathered
today to beat through the swamp
land which would provide excellent
cover for the escaped convicts. Adj
ditional forces of naval reserve
members were expected to be called
at the request Of prison authorities
to aid in the roundup.
Neel was captured when some of
the convicts Communicated his au-
tomobile after breaking from the
prison.
Anticipated construction Of the
prison was blamed for the break to-
day by Deputy Warden C. H. Claudy.
He pointed out all the gates we're
of open bar construction which
enabled the convicts to get a drop
on guards before the guards were
aware of what happened. 1t also
was explained that while turkeys
at the gates we're armed, none Of
the inside warders carried weapons.
All Highways Watched
Intimation that an attempt at a
break was to be made had reached
the prison authorities, they said,
but this information indicated the
attempt would not be made until
after Oct. /.
Chicago police were watching
closely for possible appearance Of
the criminals in Chicago under
world haunts. Nearly all the men
were professional bank robbers and
killers Of the most ruthless type. At
least several we're believed likely to
make their way at once to Chicago.
All automobiles on highways lead
ing to the city were scrutinized
carefully.
The escape, one of the most dar-
ing in Indiana history, left an aged
guard critically wounded and two
others slugged. Finley Carson, 70.
a clerk, was shot twice by the con-
victs. His recovery is doubtful.
The escape, obviously we'll
planned, started shortly after noon.
An armed convict stepped up to G..
H. Stevens, superintendent of the
shirt factory, and on a ruse led
MIN to the basement. He immedi-
ately was overpowered.
Guard Is Badly Beaten
He and Albert Evans, assistant
warden, were forced to walk beforc
the convicts to the administration
building. The procession appeared
to be a routine affair to other
guards. The prisoners kept their
guns hidden beneath their blue
denim shirts.
Walking in step, the group APP
preached the first steel gate. There
guard Frank Swanson was forced
to join Evans and Stevens. At the
second gate, guard Guy Burklow also
joined the procession.
Inside the second gate, however,
the prisoners drew their %revolvers.
They slugged guard Fred Wellnitz,
at the last gate. Lawrence Mulch.
who held the keys to an arsenal OF
guns and rifles, refused to open it.
He was beaten into unconscious
ness. Carson was shot when he
was slow in obeying an order for
eight clerks to step into a vault.