The Prisoner Who Sawed His Shackles and Blamed the Spirits

Thomas McGee, the wife-slasher, who is under a seven-year sentence for attempted murder, and who has been confined in the jail cell at the county hospital for some time under treatment by County Physician Whiting for sore eyes, has been an escape. He had his shackles nicely sawed, but the quick-witted and ever-alert guard, Michael Kelly, discovered the game yesterday afternoon and called a checkmate. McGee had the boldness to openly declare that he has no knowledge of how his shackles became cut.

The history of the McGee case is still fresh in the minds of the people, on account of the bloody and ferocious attack he made on his wife at the corner of Second and Union streets in broad daylight, and his subsequent attempt to suicide in the county jail. He claimed on trial that he was not responsible for his actions, but it did not go with the jury, and he was convicted. Soon after this his eyes commenced to trouble him. In that one particular McGee was honest. He has been a sufferer from eye trouble. He was removed to the county hospital and placed under the care of the county physician and in charge of Keeper Michael Kelly.

A few days ago it became apparent to everybody about the hospital that McGee was practically cured of his eye trouble, and something was said about his removal to jail again. Suddenly he commenced to have symptoms of insanity. When locked alone in his room he would hold secret communion with himself in a loud voice, but as soon as Kelly entered the room he would become quiet and whisper to himself. When questioned as to the trouble he replied that the spirits were beckoning him, and that if he did not go they would drag him down, down to hell. It was thought that the hell he was afraid of was the Walla Walla penitentiary, because he had reason to believe that his sister in San Francisco would not give him any more money to fight his case in the courts.

Things went along for a few days with the “spirits” for a prime factor until Keeper Kelly said he had a presentiment that McGee was going to do something. It had been the custom to keep ordinary shackles on the prisoner, and Kelly came to the conclusion yesterday afternoon to make a close examination of the connecting chain. The result was that he found the links nicely sawed, so that all that was required to break them was a gentle rap. The discovery was met by McGee with bold indifference and a positive denial that he did the work.

New shackles were immediately procured, and McGee is now watched with double vigilance. It is probable that he will be brought to the county jail in a day or so, and if he does not get a new trial will be sent to Walla Walla.