A Wooden Pistol Emptied the King County Jail

Thomas Blanck, the slayer of Constable William Jeffrey and convicted murderer of Charles H. Bridwell, added another exploit to his record last night which stamps him as the most daring and dangerous criminal ever in the Pacific Northwest.

Alone and unassisted, and by means of a black wooden 'fake' revolver, he held up the night jailer, lashed him, forced him to open the door and locked him in, and thus effected the most wholesale jail break ever heard of in this state.

At the time of writing there are nine criminals at large in King county, and the leader, Thomas Blanck, is armed with a 38-caliber Colt's revolver which he can use with unerring accuracy. Of those who escaped there are two convicted murderers, two burglars, one horse thief, one bunko man and a petit larcenist.

The first intimation of what had taken place came from convicted murderer James Murphy, who rushed into police headquarters at 7:30 or 7:40 o'clock last evening and gasped out to Sergeant Willard: 'There has been a break at the county jail and about ten of the prisoners are escaping to the country, and the night jailer is locked in a cell!'

Detective Cudinee and Phillips immediately went to the county jail and on the way met Wilcox, who was coming to police headquarters to report what had happened. He had in his possession the 'fake' gun with which the job was done, and immediately handed it over to Detective Cudinee, remarking as he did so: 'I think you deserve this.'

After the night jailer was released from the cell and his bonds cut, Sheriff VandeVanter was notified. In less than half an hour messages were sent all over the state, deputies were sent out in all directions from the city, and ex-Sheriff Wolery in person took charge of the guards at Lake Washington. As soon as the news became known in the city great excitement prevailed, but the crowd hovered around police headquarters, leaving the sheriff to operate freely from the courthouse.

Following is a full list of those who escaped: Thomas Blanck, ring leader, murderer of William Jeffrey and Charles H. Bridwell, sentenced to be hanged, case on appeal. Servius Rutten, convicted murderer of William Fletcher at Chico. Willie Holmes, negro, convicted murderer of William Russell at Franklin. Charles Williams, a bricklayer, charged with burglary. Frank Hart, under sentence of seven years for bunkoing the Anveck sisters. R. H. Ford, known as the 'Famous Clothing House burglar,' under sentence of three years on plea of guilty. Frank Cheesedale, the Kent horse thief, trial not yet set. C. W. Brown, the counterfeiter, captured on Taylor street by Constable [name unclear]. William Cosgrove, a petit larcenist.

The following refused to leave: Harvey W. Knowlton, the famous gold-brick swindler, under sentence of two years. Jerry O'Connell, Indian, self-confessed murderer of Medicine Man Jim. Thomas Megee, the [word unclear] slasher, under sentence of seven years. Henry Cramer, the convicted murderer of Phillipina Mueller and her child. Charles [name unclear], the convicted murderer of Willie Mason at Cedar Mountain. Mike Dolan, the bunko man, who knew that the court had just affirmed the decision giving him seven years. Louis Goodfriend, bunko man, convicted, and under seven years' sentence. Paul E. Nelson, [charge unclear], six months. P. [name unclear], sentenced to ten years for attempted rape. James Murphy, the [word unclear] murderer of Phil Dawes, who notified the jail of the prisoners' escape. W. A. Wilcox, the convicted murderer of Charlotte [name unclear], was on his way to perform the same errand when he met the detectives coming to the jail.

It is not a model prison. There has never been in the history of King county a more cleverly planned and safely executed piece of work by a criminal. Ever since he has been convicted he has been a model prisoner and a great favorite in a general way with the other inmates of the north wing of the jail. This wing is commonly called the dangerous criminals' corridor.