Year: 1875

McCarty and Watson sharp Work of


the OMcers-A Remarkable Letter.


Ever since Watson, Plummer and McCarty
broke from the County Jail in this city, Thurs.
day night, Sheriff Pennell and a large force of
officers of different rank have been busy trying
to hnd some trail of them. Saturday night
their diligence was rewarded by finding the two
latter men hid in hay NOW in Freeport, but
in their haste to secure them McCarty eluded
them and escaped.


Sheriff Pennell secured the services of man
who was formerly chum of Plummer, and
who had information that he was in Freeport.
This man went to the house of Plummer's
brother in Freepolt and told him that be would
assist Orestes to escape. In this way he gain
ed their confidence and they told him where
Plummer and McCarty were secreted, in barn
some distance away The barn is owned by
Mr.. Holmes, and younger brother was at
work for brother of Holmes. The detective
then visited the younger Plummer, and toseth-
er they went to the barn to find Orestes and
McCarty. They were both found upon the hay
NOW, hid beneath an immense pile of straw.
A small window ON one side of the barn pro.
vided them with light and air. The straw
pressed down heavily upon them and the posi-
tion was anything but an easy one. The detec-
tive had long talk with them Saturday noon
and arrangements were made to leave there for
Canada at eleven o'clock at night.


The detective had in the mean time informed
Deputy Bridges of the condition of affairs and
the Deputy started for Freeport on the noon
train, but happened to see brother of Plum
mer on board, and so did not dare to stop for
for fear of exciting suspicion.


The detective was informed of this and made
arrangements for some one else to effect the
arrest. Accordingly after having an interview
with the men he informed Deputy Sheriff Par
ker where the men were.


Sheriff Parker and Mr.. Mitchell and Coun-
ty Commissioner Townsend then made arrange
ments to make raid on them. The detective
returned to the house of Plummer's brother,
pretending to be waiting for eleven o'clock to
come, when he was to leave with the men for
Canada. Soon after nine o'clock the officers
went TO Holmes barn and began the search,
but the straw was so deep that they could not





detective, who by thrusting pitchfork into the
straw brought a response from them. After
striking Plummer several times with the fork
he gave up and offered to come to the surface.
In the mean time McCarty was digging his
way along between the hay ana straw to the
edge of the NOW. In this way he eluded the
officers, and jumping to the barn floor, ran for
the team of the officers, which was standing
short distance from the barn, but fortunately
the horse was htched and as he did not dare
to stop to unfasten him, he made for the woods
minus his hat and coat


When Plummer came from his hiding place
he showed fight, but seeing a number of revol-
vers awaiting him he gave up and was securely
tied with rope. In the hay the officers found
a liberal supply of food and also liquor, which
had been provided for the men by some one,
and that some one may be called upon yet to
tell why he harbored escaped prisoners. The
officers at once brought Plummer to this city,
and he was placed in cell in the dungeon. He
was partially intoxicated and made great deal
of noise, declaring his intentions to try anoth-
er tramp when opportunity offers. He told
several different stories in regard to how they
reached Freeport. They left Watson at Fal-
mouth and he and McCarty arrived at the barn
late Friday night. He refuses to tell where
they spent Thursday night.


In searching Watson's cell, the turnkey
Will. Pennell, found the saw used by them in
removing the bars. 1t was wrapped up in
paper and hid away. 1t is one of the finest in
struments of the kind in use and will saw off
the hardest bar of iron in short time. The
saw was handed into the window by some one,
and when the time comes it will all be made
clear.


In Plummer's cell letter was found, and
we give it here verbatum:


if you get their before do tell them am
coming to. i have gone to get some Breakfast
and may Stay to diner, but l will come back
wen the wood bine twineth tell the boys 1
have gon camping out with jug Simons.


0. M. PLUMMER.


Elias Ccckey-cock no man.


went on the Egg train.


The letter was written on the back of tract
leaf in very good hand, but the spelling
could have been better, as will be seen. Yes
teiday morning the turnkey read him the let
ter, but he was not in a good mood to enjoy it.


1t seems hardly possible for McCarty and
Watson to keep out the way much longer, and
their arrest may be expected at any time. How
a man could live out of doors such a night as
Saturday night was, without coat and hat,
seems wonder. He must at least have been
thoroughly chilled through.


Steps will be taken at once by the County
Commissioners to have the alarm in the Jail
put in order to prevent repetition of the af-
fair of Thursday night,