“First, two of their number made their exit from the forge during the night, which is closely guarded inside and out by several of the most efficient guards of the prison.
“Strange to say, these same two escaped from the same place last summer.
“Their names were Samuel Tweed and Henry Austin.
“After leaving the prison they proceeded to a barn in the vicinity, where they procured a horse and waggon, with which they managed to reach the village of Saranac, some six or eight miles distant; but there finding their great enemy, the snow, had not left the premises, and as they were unable to use the waggon any further, the snow being so deep, they concluded to tramp it on foot, and to their sorrow, for they were quickly followed by officers Christian and Hagerty, who succeeded in first capturing Tweed; but, Austin being somewhat of a more daring character, attempted to fight it out, paying no attention to the word ‘halt’ given by Mr. Hagerty.
“Seeing that Austin meant to try his speed, Mr. Hagerty discharged his revolver over the convict’s head, which, as intended, brought him to bay. Finally they were once more secured in their old quarters, and now wear a heavy log chain as a reward of their escapade.
“Not the least daunted by the failure of his brother convicts, William Wallace (no relation of the Scotch chieftain), who was employed as engineer at the rolling-mill, took it into his head to vamose; so, by playing possum with the keeper, he succeeded in leaving the prison.
“He could not have scaled the stockade before the alarm was given, but, alas! the bird had flown, and was not caught for some days aterwards, and then by chance, he being hidden in the woods, heard a gun discharged close by, and, thinking he had been discovered, took to his heels and ran.
“Those who fired the gun were not in search of escaped convicts, but for pleasure, and pleased they were when they saw fifty dollars within their reach, and which they received for the capture of the said William Wallace, who now works in his old shop, but is not engineer, unless he may be called an engineer in a small way, for I suppose it is a matter of engineering to walk with the large shackle and chain which he wears without injuring his ankles.
“So far I have only recorded escapes and recaptures. Now I come to a trial escape (which is a very rare occurrence).
“It was on Sunday, a day of rest (but not for the prison-keepers), that as usual two convicts were sent from their cells to feed the hogs, but instead of laying out the usual quantity of food for the hogs, they laid out an unusual quantity of food for themselves, contemplating beforehand that they would need it on their travels.