The Burglar Who Hid Behind a Show Case—and the Shoes That Gave Him Away

Richard H. Ford, the famous clothing-house burglar known also as Manning and the 'Brooklyn House Kid,' was at liberty from the King County Jail for four hours yesterday morning. His escape was cleverly planned and well executed, but the chase was so hot that he was recaptured within two blocks of the courthouse. He was discovered by Hugh M. Wright and captured by Day Jailer Dick Burkman.

Ford chose the breakfast hour, between 7:30 and 8 o'clock, when rations were being distributed in the north corridor. Two trusties were about to pass food through the open door of the steel cage when Ford sprang over their heads and through the main door of the room. Jailer Burkman followed, but one of the prostrate trusties rose up and unintentionally upset him, giving Ford time to reach the outer door and swing it shut. In the struggle through the bars, Ford jammed Burkman's left hand between the casement and the hasp, then drew a sharp-pointed stick and tried to stab him. Burkman wrenched the stick away, but Ford broke free and dashed into Terrace Street, hatless and coatless.

Ford was already notorious for the clothing-house burglary and for the escape of Thomas Black. He was described as a nice-looking, rather tall, slender but wiry man, a confirmed thief and morphine fiend. After a recent general jail delivery he had been recaptured by Detective Cudihce and Chief Rogers and placed in a west-side cell; that very night he tried to escape again, but Jailer Monroe caught him. He offered no explanation beyond saying he was 'testing the jail.'

Jailer Burkman had been on duty since 7 o'clock with no assistant, owing to the economy of the county commissioners. He opened the steel tank and Ford's cell and let Ford come out to help distribute food. When the trusties went up to the main entrance with the buckets, Ford sprang over them, made for the outer door, and pulled the iron grate shut behind him. Burkman thrust his left hand between the bars to keep the door from closing and grabbed Ford's fingers with his right. Ford drew his knife and warned, 'I don't want to cut you, but if you don't let go of that arm I will cut your arm clear off.' 'Cut and be d—d,' Burkman replied. Ford made a quick stroke, but Burkman kept his grip until Ford tore away. Roscoe Dixon, the cook, grappled with him for a moment, but Ford broke loose and fled through the main hall.

Burkman ran down Terrace Street and searched the steps. Hugh M. Wright, who lived in a one-story cottage at the first landing, had just gotten up. He told Burkman that no one had passed and that the watchdog had not barked. Sheriff Van de Vanter, Deputies McCory and Morgan, Night Jailer King, Detectives Phillips and Wells, and others searched south to Yesler Avenue and north to Madison Street without finding a trace. They concluded Ford must still be nearby.

Wright later went into his basement storeroom to work on his boy's wagon. He had no reason to suspect anyone was there, but he walked over to an old show case leaning against the northwest corner. Pretending to look through cracks in the wall, he glanced down and saw a pair of shoes. Keeping his nerve, Wright returned to his bench, worked as if nothing had happened, and eventually sent his wife to the courthouse for help. Burkman and Deputy Morgan arrived. 'Well, do you want your bird?' Wright asked, moving toward the case.

Burkman tipped back the case and ordered Ford out. Ford came up with something in his hand, and Burkman struck him on the head with a stick, nearly knocking him out. The officers dragged him out. Morgan found a pocket stick and some beads. Wright sprinkled water in Ford's face; Ford did not like it. 'Take a drink,' Wright said. 'I would not take a drink for such a man as you,' Ford replied sullenly.

Ford's head was bleeding. He swore at the doctor and said he wished Burkman had killed him instead of giving him a thump. Later he agreed to have the scalp wound sewn up and showed good nerve while six stitches were taken. Back in the tank with the other prisoners, he received no word of welcome. Sheriff Van de Vanter said the escape was due to carelessness in not locking the doors and that the only redeeming feature was the quick capture. 'I have not decided whether I shall call for the jailer's resignation,' he said. Burkman said he had been performing his duties as usual and that it was awkward to get the large buckets into the narrow space between the two doors before opening the inner door.