Stark County Illinois
Crime News Gleanings
A Dash for Liberty.
TAKEN FROM THE HENRY TIMES, HENRY, IL
April 17, 1890
William Coates, confined in the Stark county jail, jumped the confines last Saturday morning. Jailor H. W.
Newland was standing guard while his son Jim was gone after a pail of coal, the prisoner feigning sleep, but in
a moment of time, with the agility of a deer, he sprang against Mr. Newland, knocked him over and scud. Jailor
Newland was on his feet in a moment and sent a club after the fleeing prisoner, which took effect but did not retard
his progress. About this time Jim took in the situation, and the race for life began. At times the
prisoner was overhauled, but being large and muscular would get loose, and so over hill and through valley, bush
and bramble, a circuit of about three miles was made, when Jim got the advantage and collaring the fugitive gave
an exhibition of catch-as-you please that astonished him, and not-withstanding his threats to kill, hung on like
a leech, wholly un-armed except with muscle and grit, until help came and the prisoner was secured. --[Toulon Sentinel.]Submitted by Nancy Piper
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