Evening star., 1946-04-03
Jail Break
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alarm was sounded at 5:25 am,
police had attempted to block all
roads around the city and gave
particular attention to the SouSa
Bridge, near the point Medley was
found. A dozen blOodhoundS from
Lorton Reformatory also nuzzled
along the river. On seaWall be-
hind Gallinger Hospital, police found
a holster for a police service pistol.
which they thought Medley might
have discarded.
Medley was not the killer when he
slithered from the sewer pipe at the
come out Or III shoot command
of Corpl. Skinner. The policeman S
blouse he had worn from the Jail
had been discarded and the trousers
were ripped and muddy
Medley had no gun, although the
guards had told Investigators he
Quelled them with what appeared to
be a police service revolver.
When police leaunched a wide
spread search four police scout cars
at the Sousa Bridge stopped all cars
approaching at either end until the
rush Of traffic forced halt. A boat
manned by harbor police patrolled
the river to check against a possible
dash to Virginia by boat.
The Federal Bu1 eau OF InVeStiga-
ton, which arrested Medley in ST.
Louis March 10. l945, was called in
at an early hour
Eleven bloodhoundS from the Lor-
ton tVaJ Reformatory joined in the
hunt. Released on the east side of
the jail, they went east toward the
lAnacostia River and then returned
toward the Sousa Bridge.
Caution Urged i'm Shooting.
Repeatedly during the early
morning hours the police radio
warned:
Don't shoot your own men-be
careful. If you leave your cars, take
your keys with you" In the
Hyattsville area this warning was
sounded: Use caution when on foot.
HyattSville is covering with several
men. They may shoot at you"
Medley had been scheduled to die
April 80 for the Staying of Mrs.
Nancy Boyer here March 6, l945.
Big and suave. he was known in
police records as a lady's man and
was suspected in the bathtub deaths
OF two red-headed women. one in
NeT Orleans and another in Chi
cago. An appeal still is pending in
the Boyer case.
Mcfarland was due to die June IA
for the murder of Dorothy Berrum,
16-vear-old Government employe, at
the East Potomac golf course Oc-
tober 5, 1914, after a criminal attack
McFarland's execution was post
poned four times and Medley's twice.
Mcfarland originally was sentenced
to die on June 26, 1945. This was
postponed in turn November 5. 1945,
to January 8, 1916 to March IS. and
to June IA. Medley was first SEN
fenced to die on November 30, 1945.
This was postponed to February 4,
1876, and then until April 30.
Investigations made by Supt.
of Police Harvey G. Callahan and
Claude O. Botkin, Jail superintend-
ent, revealed these details as earlier
disclosures.
Shortly after 80 m. Davis made
routine 15-minute check of the
death cells. AS he approached
Medley's cell, the convict snapped
on the electric light and Davis noted
trousers
Il can't sleep. officer" Medley
said. Can you give me a cigaret?"
Medley Threatens Davis.
When Davis reached into his
pocket Medley produced what Davis
thought was a 38-caliber blue steel
pistol. He pointed it through the
bars.
Unlock this door or I'll blow your
brains out" Medley quietly said
Davis complied.
Then Medley showed the object
into Davis back and marched him
about IS feet to where Sanderlin
was stationed outside the compound
adjacent to the cell block. Like
Davis, Sanderlin carried keys to the
cell block. but no weapon.
Pushing the pair ahead of him
to McFarland's cell. Medley forced
Davis to open it. Then Davis was
ordered into McFarland's cell and
Sanderlin forced into Medley's cell.
Stuff1ng towels into the police
mems mouths, the convicts then
bound them with wire which had
served as an aerial to radio near
Sanderlin's station.
JaiIers Forced to Strip.
It was then, apparently, the con-
victs were struck with the idea of
wearing the police uniforms. They
united the victims, forced them to
strip, then rebound them. Using the
guards keys. the convicts let them
selves into a utilities corridor at the
rear of the cells, and from the end
of the corridor climbed to the top
of the cell blocks, thence to the roof
through a skylight.
The death cells form penthouse
over the Jail administration building.
The men let themselves down to the
roof of the administration building,
then with six sheets tied together,
went down the east side of the build
ing about 60 feet to Twentieth street.
Before leaving, Medley demon