Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1897 — BANDIT GANG ESCAPES. [ARTICLE]

BANDIT GANG ESCAPES.

Break Down the Prison Bars at Dqadwood, S. I). The notorious Curry gang of bandits broke jail at Deadwood, S. D., Sunday night, arid after exchanging several dozen shots with citizens who intercepted them accidentally made their escape to the mountains. The daring of the escape was consonant with the boldness of the men who accomplished it. The fugitives are “Tom” O'Day, Frank Jones, “Tom” Jones and Walter I’uney. They tore the bars from their strong cells by sheer strength of arm, assaulted the jailer with their fists and reached the open air. The jailer was well armed, but the ferocity and daring of the men was too much for him. The first lie knew that trouble was coming was when the side of the big steel cage in which the bandits were confined gave way beneath their united strength. With a roar the men carried the wooden partition before them and burst into the view of the astonished guard. He drew a revolver, but was knocked down. When he revived an hour later he was covered with wounds, but was able to tell the story. As the jail was a regular armory the men had no trouble selecting a supply of the finest weapons. Each got a rfffe, four revolvers and a quantitj - of ammunition. They rushed boldly from the place, qnd started on a run across lots toward the hills. They Tan over “Pete” Bella, a special mine watchman, a block away. He was knocked down, but arose, drew aJrevolver, and, taking in the situation, began shooting. In an instant a wild scene was being enacted. Citizens gathered from all directions, and the outlaws retreated into the dense forests of the mountains, turning and firing as the pursuers gained on them. Streams of fire followed them from a score of revolvers in the hands of as many citizens. That many deaths did not result is due wholly to chance and darkness. Fred Swobe was desperately wounded. Frank Elliott was shot through the body and several citizens were injured more or less.

The knell of the modern game of football in Georgia has been sounded. Following the tragic death of 18-year-old Richard Gammon from injuries sustained in a game at Atlanta, a storm of public sentiment has swept over the entire State, demanding the immediate and absolute abolition of the brutal sport.

The Baltimore Herald has passed into, the. hands of Wesley M. Orr, who for several years has had a large interest in the company and who has acted as its president and general manager since the death •f A. Bechhoffer several months ago.