Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, October 11, 1891, Page 14, Image 14

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    PITTSBTJKQ- DISPATCH.
JAIL KEEPERS FIRED.
The Prison Board Decides Against
Price and Larimer."
THEIlt SUCCESSORS KOT KAHED.
Kerort of the Investigation Is Made Pullic
and Tallies
WITH THE FACTS PEETIOUSLT TROTTED
The Prison Board yesterday decided to
mate publio the report of the Jail Inves
tigating Committee on the Fitzsimmons es
cape. Every point of importance was con
tained in a synopsis of the report, pub
lished in The Dispatch shortly after it
was drawn up. But the official document
was not made public until yesterday. It
is as follows:
To the President and the Members of the-Boarfl or
rrlson Inspectors, Allegheny County:
GrcrTLEKEf As your Quarterly pommUtea
we have endeavored to discharge the duty
assigned us by your Instruction of the lGth
Instant and bes to report briefly our conclu
sions, founded, as we bellevo, upon the evi
dence with reference to the escape of Fitz
slmmons on the night of September 14.
In the course of the examination we ex
amined IS officers of the Jail, nine prisoners
and seven persons interested In the institu
tion. In presenting our views regarding the
escape of FitzsimmonB we desire to state
flrsti
That we believe we are entirely justified
in the statement that he passed out of the
Jail to the window over the roof of the
Warden's residence. It seems quite evident
that after leaving bis cell that he passed to
ths south corner of the south wing and
climbed from the second to the fifth range,
which Is about on a level with the window
referred to above, and a distance of about
eight feet from said window.
HOW THE ESCAPE WAS MADE.
From the testimony of one of the urisoners
on the fifth range we are led to Believe Fitz
simmons passed to the north end of the
wing in order, no doubt, to ascertain tho
location of the night-watch and what he was
now doing. lie then returned to tho south
end of the ranee and. with a stick four feet
lonr and a w ire hook on tho end, reached
theVopc attached to the top of tho window,
pulled it to him and swung across. After
reaching the window we believe it only re
quired from 30 to 40 minutes to saw the inch
iron bar through which he escaped. None
of the officers of the Jail knew nnytliing
about the escape until after C o'clock Tues
dev morning.
On the night of the escape .Tames Larimer
was tho officer on duty. From the seat
occupied by Mr. Larimer It Is Impossible to
see the cell of Fltzstmmons or tne window
from which he escaped. Mr. Larimer did
not make another round after the one he
testified he began at 1 o'clock. Iris reasona
ble to conclude that he was not even in
position to see Fitzsimmor.s' cell or the
window from L20 to 3 A. If. lie said he left
his chair several times to chase rats passed
around the circle as far as the library, and
from that point looked down the range con
taining Fitzsimmons' cell.
This officer admitted that he slept while
on duty. He testified be aid not think he
had slept the night of FitZbimmons' escape,
becauc he was not sleepy, '1'he officers of
the jail from the Warden down to the watch
man seem to concur in tho general btate
ment that they had no suspicion of any con
templated escape of Fitzsimmons.
WERE WASHED I2 TIME.
It is true, however, that according to the
testimony of P. J. Murphy and Harry Beltz
hoover that they eaw Mr. Berlin and Mr.
gofleland expressed to them a fear that
there wa some movement to effect the
escape of Fitzsimmons.
It does not, however, appear that there
was from that date any extra precaution to
guard the prison, evidence of certain
prisoners goes to show that ho was schem
ing and planning from the day be entered
the prison. He tried to induce the prisoner
Holmes Anderson to unite with hiin in the
etTort. He tried to bribe Kangeman James
6. w ard, also a prisoner, to aid mm in tae
attempt.
We obtained Information that in the
month of liar, while in the hospital attend
ing a sick prisoner, Mrs. Emma Clark had
several small saws in her pONiession. We
immediately sent for Mrs. Clark, whose
testimony regarding the saws is as follows:
"I refuse to answer to whom I gave the
saws which I had. I refuse to tell until I
see mv attorney. They were given me by
an officer of the jail, but I decline to give his
name."
In answer to a question she said it was not
the Warden.
"Was it Mike Price?"
"I will not say. lie might not have known
what they were. They were in a sealed en
velope. There were two large saws and
several small ones. I do not know Just how
long I had the saw s. It w as before my trial
that I go: them.
"It was not Mr. Mclntyre, nor Mr. Lari
mer, nor Mr. Irwin who gave them to me. I
gave them back to the officer who gave them
tome. I decline to answer whether it was
Mke Price. I i.ever asked for tho saws. I
handed them back m the same envelope in
which they came to the officer who gave
them to me. I think that more than one
officer knew of this. In tho envelope with
the i s was a note from Fitzsiminon3 say
ing FiTzsrjraojrs was confident.
"If you want to use these saws nso them
and go. I have got good help here. I gave
SUW9. The man who stood on my range
close to my cell is the man who is my friend,
and you may know I will not get left.'
"The morning that the saws were broneht
to mo. Warden Berlin was talking to Fitz
simmons. He di J not say to whom he gave
the money. This occurred before my trial.
While crossing the bridge one day during
my trial, Fitzsimmons said to me:
" 'It is only a matter of time until I go.'
"The saw s w ei e git en to me in the day
time in the hospital, in a rather long envel
lopo. It was Mi e Price who cave them to
me. Berlin was in the jail talking to Fitz
simmons at the time Price gave me the
saws. Fitzsimmons one time in church
opened his coat and pointed to his vest or
coat and showed his w if e a revolver. I could
Bee it."
Annie Bell, now discharged, was In prison
in April or May. She was in the hospital
for about three weeks assisting Mrs. Clark
to nurse and wait on Miss Shemer, who was
sick.
"Mrs. Clark," says Annie Bell, ' had no
saws while I was with her in the hos
pital. She received them after I left. She
did not tell me how or from whom she
received them. She showed them to me
in the washroom after she came out of
the hospital: she kept them In her
stockings. There were three saws. I saw
Mrs. Chirk talk to Mike Price every day in
the hospital. He brought her letters and
would stand and talk to her through the
wiro door. Their talks would last for a
brief period of time. Mrs. Clark always
seemed anxious to see Price. She would
never let me see the letters Price brought
her, nor would she tell mo from whom they
came. Price would pass the letters under
the door, and Mrs. Clark would also pass
letters out to him. This went on during the
two or three weeks spent by mo in the hos
pital. KEEPER PKICE'S MAST YISITS.
"Mrs. Clark remained in the hospital for
a period of two weeks after I left. After I
returned to my cell I frequently iw Mr.
Price going to the hospital while Mrs. Clark
remained in it. I knew of no other officer
talking to Mrs. Clark. I never saw the War
den at the hospital during that time. I am
positive Mr. Price visited the hospital every
day, and brought letters to Mrs. Clark. "I
n-ver&uw any keeper but Price talking to
Mrs. Clark at the hospital door."
Mrs. Clark, recalled, said : "Mr. Price and
I had several talks at the hospital. I re
ceived letters through Mr. Trice and gave
lum letters. Some w eeks I got two or turee
letters and other weeks none When on the
range I received letters fiom the hands of
Mrs. Burns, Miss McCann and the range
woman. I received one letter from Fitz
simmons and it contained the saws. I told
Olhcer Price that I would not use the saws;
that I would stand my trial. After reading
the letters I would tear them up and throw
them in the water closet.
"Mr. Mclntvre, one of the keepers, came
into the hospital about 12o'clock one night
when the sick girl and I were alone, lie
just came in, looked at me and tried to put
In. arm around me. I ordered him out Ho
bpggcd me to say nothiDg about it, and
ollcred to takoletters out forme and said he
would be a friend to mo and Mr. Clark. I
never gave Mr. Price any money for any
thing be did for me. I do not know to
houi Fitzsimmons paid the $1,000 referred
to in his letter enclosing the saws. I never
had any conversation with Fitzsimmons in
the jail, though I was allowed the privilege
by an official to go over and talk-with male
orisoners. This was a while ago."
We have presented more or less in detail
the testimony of Mrs. Clark and Annie Boll.
The testimony of Mis. Clark was given w ith
considerable earnestness and with apparent
truth. That portion of her evidonce touch
ing tho integrity of an officer was reluctant
ly given. Her statements ara serious, and
are, at least in part, corroborated by the evi
dence of Annie Bell.
XO COMMENTS TO MAKE.
We make no comments, believing that in a
matter so grave and important the members
of your honorable board should be per
mitted to form their own conclusions from
tho testimony presented. We have no de
sire or disposition to shirk a dnty, but inas
much as any action that may be taken must
be taken by tho Board of Prison Inspectors,
we believe tho responsibility of determin
ing that action should be assumed by the
board. We were unable to discover any
fixed rules or definite instructions. It seems
to be entirely discretionary with the night
keepers whether they mako one round or
inanv rounds during the night.
With watchful, vigilant and active keep
ers wc believe it a physical Impossibility for
any prisoner to escape from the JaiL It waB
the want of vigilance that enabled Fitzsim
mons to escape on the night of September
14 or 15.
In our Judgment the whole management
of the Jail is nd has been for some time
loose and Incompetent. Mr. Berlin's health
is seriously shattered, and he is in our opin
ion physically incapable to discharge the
duties of the important position which he
occupies; even though the subordinate
officers possessed every qualification for
their positions, the weakness and incapacity
of their superior will eventually be com
municated to them.
In conclusion we beg leave to state that
at the request of the District Attorney, Mr.
Burleigh, John S. Bobb, Esq., rendered ns
valuable assistance in the examination of
witnesses.
.Respectfully submitted,
n. L GOTOLET,
James G. Weib,
WliiUJt H. McCixawr.
Committe.
PKICE AlfD ULEIMER GO.
Prior to the decision at yesterday morn
ing's meeting to make the report publio the
board took action on the charges against
Keepers Price and Larimer. After a short
discussion it was decided to instruct Warden
McAleese to dismiss both of them. As will
be seen by the report Price's offence was
carrving letters between Mrs. Charles
Clark and Fred Fitzsimmons, one of which
is said to have contained the saws used in
the escape. Larimer was found guilty of
neglect while on duty as watchman the
night Fitzsimmons got away.
AVarden McAleese was officially notified
of the decision yesterday afternoon. Price
was dismissed as soon as his turn was over
in the evening. Larimer was also notified
that his services were no longer needed.
Warden McAleese, when asked about the
probable successors of these men, replied:
"I have determined nothing yet. "We
can get along a day or two by doubling up
without them. I will not name anybody
before the first of the week at least."
LATE NEWS IN BRIEF.
Your Girl
"Wants to be in at the finish this week at
the Expo. The boys and girls are all going,
and afterward for ice cream to Kennedy's,
Sixth and Duquesne war.
To-moreow Kaufmanns' will be closed,
and on Tuesday morning the great clothing
exposition (biggest event of the kind ever
known) will commence. Everybody invited.
Colby Pianos Schubert Pianos.
Unsurpassed for beauty of tone, solidity
of construction and elasticity of touch. For
sale at reasonable prices by J. M. Hoffmann
& Co., 37 Smithfield street
Austria has appropriated 15,000 florins to
add to that country's exhibit at tho World's
Fair.
The barge Birkenhead was sunk in Lake.
Erie by an up bound vessel, but the crew
was saved.
Don Cameron Patterson, a nephnw of
Senator Cameron, has been sentenced to 10
years in the Missouri Penitentiary.
The cornse of a murdered man was
found near Birmingham, Ala., supposed to
be Alex Ditton, who disappeared last
June.
Burglars at Everson, Pa., TObbed the
Btore of A. S. Llvengood of $M0 in monev,
300 worth of jewelry and $3,000 worth of
notes, etc.
At North Birmingham, Ala., several boys
saturated a cat with oil and set fire to it.
xne cat ran into a house setting it on lire,
causing a loss of $3,000.
A party of Madison, Ind., college
students hung a freshman who showed
fight, and be was only saved by the arrival
of a minister.
The fishing schooner Daisy passed Ta
wrecked steamer a few hours out in tho
oeean. It is thought to be the Warsaw.
The crew Is believed to have perished.
The general conference of the Evangel
ical Association, at Indlnnnnolls. has
adopted resolutions which effectually expel
from membership in the church, the lol
lowers of Bishop Dubs.
The Madrid JSpoca has an article oppos
ing the proposed connecting or Gibraltar
with the Spanish railway system. The
writer declares thatltis the policy of Spain
to isolate Gibraltar to the utmost.
Busslan police have arrested a band of
forgers who have been turning out and cir
culating bank notes of ten, five and three
roubles. The total of notes turned out by
the gang and seized by the police represents
an enormous sum.
Prof. Bichard Claverhouse Jebb, LI D.
(Conservative), the eminent Greek scholar,
was elected to Parliament to fill the vacanoy
created by the death of Et. Hon. Henry
Cecil Baikes, late member for the Univer
sity and Postmaster General.
The members of the British Salt Union
complain of the considerable decrease in ex
ports of salt from England to the United
States, owing to tho fact that the latter
country is now largely supplying its own
wants yith the home produot.
The British Columbia Sealers' Associa
tion waited upon Sir Geo: Baden-Powell and
Dr. Dawson, British commissioners investi
gating seals and sealing. Their object was
to give their views as to the length of time
and period of the year best for the close
season.
Badges for lodges and societies at Mo
Slahon Bros.', 52 Fourth avenue. su
Our S5 75 Fur Trimmed Jackets
Are the cheapest ever offered. See them at
Bosenbaum & Co.'s.
NEW ADTEBTISEMENTS.
"Twelve little "Brownies," faithful and true,
Working for Laird, who sells a good shoe."
Gill.
J8aPair--$2.
HEW AUVTERTIsKllE-VTSr
18 Only
Household goods packed for shipment.
Haugb: & Keekak-, 33 Water street.
su
To the hundreds of people who could
not get in our Allegheny stores last week
we would say that we will continue the
sale untiL our immense stock is closed out.
E. a Giles,
82, 94, 96 Federal street,
Allegheny, Pa,
Those who need a beverage will find the
well-known Pilsener Beer chemically pur
and free from adulterations. All first-class
dealers sell it. The Iron City Brewing Co.
makes it. Telephone 11S6.
Blonday Morning,
Starting promptly at 8 o'clock, we place an
sale a very fine line of men's suits at 59 SO
each. Bead this:
All our 512 and $16 double-breasted
suits, made from neat cassimercs, in
plaids and small effects, go Monday
for 59 80
Five lines of men's plain black chev
iot and diagonal suits, sack or cut
away style, worth 15, go for 9 80
800 fine silk-mixed cassimere suits,
worth really 516, go for 9 80
Don't miss our 59 60 men's suit sale to
morrow (Monday). It will pay you to at
tend. P. C. C. C, Pittsburg Combination Cloth
ing Company, corner Grant and Diamond
streets.
9??fwc,rv
)0Hf IiIflGE'S
HmEltfCHTl
Cat Glass;
FORTHETABLS
Is Perfection.
Look for this Z
trade mark i
label. Z
seSS-53-sa
EVERY PAIR WORTH FOUR DOLLARS.
Jll Perfect and Warranted.
Ladies' elegant Dongola Kid Button Boots; also, line cloth tops and
patent leather, finely made, silk stitched. Silk or kid top facings. Silk
worked button holes, reinforced. Common Sense, Opera, New York or
Philadelphia lasts. Patent leather tips or plain toes. Light, flexible and
heavy soles. Very latest styles. Perfect fitting, all sizes and all widths.
If you think of buying a pair or more this week or later, at any price
from $2 to $$ a pair, look at this lot first. They are truly a bargain every
pair and cannot be duplicated at the price.
Remember, $2.18 a Pair.
They're Well Worth $4 a Parr.
Gents' fine Wescott Calf, Lace or Congress, seamless silk stitched;
wide or narrow toes, tipped or plain; fine dongola kid tops; best inside trim
mings and custom finish; fine light single soles for dress or special wear,
and medium or heavy soles for business, professional or any service that may
be required. Thi3 is the finest, most tasty and perfect lot of gents' fine
shoes we have ever offered for the money. See them promptly; they will
move off quickly.
Remember, $2.18 a Pair.
This Week Closes Them Out.
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
1 ii iki 1
406, 408 and 410
Market St.
BARGAINS "I 433 Wood St
BOTH STORES J Entire New Stock.
WHOLESALE STORE 515 WOOD ST.
ocllrsaicTh
AN HEAR IT TALKED OF
In the Street Cars, on the Street, m Places
of Amusement, Aye, in Every Home.
HOPPER, BROS.&OO'S
WONDERFUL EXHIBfT AT THE EXPOSITION
Has caused greater admiration, been given more merited praise and greater enthusiasm
than all the other exhibits put together. Everything is in such perfect taste, the colors
are so artistically blended, such new and pretty devices in all kinds of Furniture are
shown that congratulations have been literally showered on this popular firm. And all
done to please the public
EVERYTHING Hi ANYTHING IN THE WHOLE EXHIBIT WILL BE SOLD THIS WEEK
AT PRICES SO MUCH BELOW ACTUAL COST
That people's eyes will bulge out with astonishment; and would-be competitors will be
fairly frightened out of their wits, wonder what on earth the Furniture business is com
ing to and prognosticate all sorts of disasters for the firm that is determined to show
the purchasing world that it leads where none dare follow.
The Most Beautiful of Furniture!
The Most Elegant of Carpets!
The Loveliest of Portieres and Curtains!
The Handsomest of Ornaments!
WILL BE ALMOST GIVEN AWAY.
And, what is more, anything purchased will be, if the purchaser desires, orried into
storage without charge until the holidays. We mean to make such an impression on
the public that our reputation will be everlasting. We do this not so much to sell the
goods as to make our exhibit and the closing of the Exposition-a feature which will be
deeply impressed on the public for generations to come.
THIS SALE' COMMENCES TO-MORROW MORNING!
And from 10 o'clock in the morning until 10 o'clock in the evening every day the com
ing week Mr. Frank Hopper will personally be in attendance, giving inquirers and pur
chasers alike the full .benefit of his great experience. Everything will be marked in
plain figures the selling price, and if you are looking for the substantial, the artistic, the
beautiful, the elegant, the handsome, wherewith to adorn your homes, this is THE op- r
portunity. COME EARLYI Don't delay on any account The news of this sale
will spread like wild-fire, and you "must be in it"
Nothing more need be said.
OPPER BROS
MO
j
THE PIONEERS DFLOW PBICES.
AT THE EXPOSITION AND
307 WOOD ST., PITTSBURG, PA.
WE HAVE
LEAR FIELD !
SPECIAL SALE THIS WEEK
-o-
FINE FALL SUITS
ON THE HIGHWAY OF PEOSPEEITY.
-AJWI-
OVERCOATS.
Men's
which
We made a fortunate recent purchase of 1,800
fine Suits and about 2,000 elegant Fall Overcoats
were made to sell at retail at $18, $20 and $22.
An offer of spot cash for the entire lot enabled us to
secure them at a price which puts us in a position to sell
them at the extremely low price of
ll 1 U a
We have dis
tanced all competi
t o r s and stand
alone on the high
way. Not that we
feel lonely, for the
people are with us
in large numbers, iffi
'1 fc-J-Wz 'f'- J!"L 'u,jT,
M yifodUiy !$,-.gg; sS yf Z'-tVAtQk. C"t
Mdttii ! "c jrT .
gay' t
TRACTION UNIFORMS.
It is universally
known that the
choicest offerings
of the world's best
markets are here
in our mammoth
stock, and our
prices and values
-'. Anznr frm rrmr1
frw -"""
Motormen, Gripmen and
Conductors will be serving
their own interests by buying
their uniforms from us. We
make a special price of
$10
At this price, low as it is, we are making a fair profit,
and giving back immense value for the money spent
with us.
When you let your dollars go, let them go for some
thing that you would sooner have than the money. These
Suits and Overcoats are that kind of a bargain. Don't
fail to investigate.
FALL -3STEOS:-V7"EJLK;.
The fine arts find ample expression in our
rare collection of fine fall neckwear. It is also
a fine art to be able to sell the quality we do
for the small prices asked.
FOR ILLUSTRATION
SEE OUR SUPERB LINE AT
24c AND 49c.
mjmm
mm
mm
BOYS' AND CHILDREN'S CLOTHING.
The aisles of our Boys' Clothing Department are the highways for mothers. Here more
boys are fitted out each year than at any other store in the city. If we were asked to express
in just two words the reason for this, we should say: VARIETY and ECONOMY.
To-day in Short-Pant' Suits we are showing more and prettier styles than can be seen in
any store in town, and at prices within the reach of all. The styles and patterns of our, this
season's stock, make a delightful picture for fancy never conceived prettier suits than we are
offering for the little ones at the present time.
SUITS FOR LARGE BOYS.
These constitute a special department with us, and a very large one at that These com
mence in size where the small boy doffes his Short Pants and run up to what are known as small
men's sizes.
We can readily fit your boy in these no matter what his size or shape, and we can fit
your pocketbook at the same time.
Ys
vsA
ror a nrst-class and sub-
stantial suit thoroughly well- UJ,
made and trimmed, a suitpfc
$3 more if bought elsewhere.
Better grades if desired.
REGULATION TRACTION
OVERCOATS.
We are supplying a first
class article in these at $io,
serviceable material, strongly
put together. Don't fail to see ours before buying.
BETTER GRADES IF DESIREU
, IWII.IS& I
I A T5
Wi
'r rnr C
26l U
P' V.,;iit.,i.:iwx.:w r I
ry --:v5-. ' rj" I
A SHOE SPECIAL.
Another Grand Present for the Boys.
We will give away all this week a 'large and handsome story book full of stories and poetry for
the little ones. One hundred and sixty-eight pages, beautifully illustrated from end to end. Just
the thing to amuse and instruct your children during the coming winter evenings. A book free
with every $2 sale and up.
I sf 1
I
Ladies' fine glazed Don
gola foxed, patent leather,
tipped, fine black diagonal
cloth top, one of the newest
things in the market and
now considered quite fash
ionable for a dress shoe.
FULL LINE OF
M lis ana Ste
HgEXPOSITION VISITORS are invited to come in and make our store headquarters
while in towa l uesday to Saturday will be hve gala days, during which we will offer special bargains.
MPnRTAMT KinTIPPI Our store will be closed on Monday
I 1 1 v 1 1 s 1 i 1 n 1 1 1 tv v- 1 1 vy l ; all dav. Oi
GU
all day. Open on Tuesday as usual
300 TO 400 MARKET ST.
OTTIR, FALL OAT-A-LOO-TriE
Contains practical and valuable hints in regard to Clothing and
Furnishings for Men and Boys, and samples of the Special Bar
gains we have to offer this fall will be mailed free to any ad
dress upon application. Send for our monthly.
GU
SKY
5
S
300 TO 400 MARKET ST.
J'.
Mrummmyirr T'--'-T -y'-'Tt -''l)