The attack and attempted escape :
occurred just r few moments before 1
the prisoners, who were in the yard, I
were to nave been locked in their !
cells. Hardwick, Edwards and two
1 other prisoners, armed with three
knives made from old files, and an
’ imitation revolver whittled from wood,
appeared in Capt. Manatt’s office and
forced him to take them to the prison
telephone office, where three opera
tors were seized and bound and the
telephone wires torn from the switch
boards.
Manatt then was marched to Ran
som’s post. “We’re coming to fix
some wires,” Hardwick told the guard.
Ransom did not hesitate when he saw
Capt. Mdnatt with the prisoners, but
opened the door to his tower.
Hardwick made a leap for Ransom,
shouting, “I want that gun.” The
prisoner pointed the wooden revolver
at Ransom who fired twice from the
hip.
Hardwick Shot First.
Hardwick sank to the ground_and
Ransom turned his gun on Edwards,
dropping him at the first shot. Ed
wards died with a blood stained knife
in his hand and Capt. Manatt fainted
from knife wounds. Whether he was
stabed during the melee at the guard
’ post or earlier in the attempted de
livery could not be determined to
night. Guards rounded up six other
l prisoners who were lurking in the
shadows near the guard post and
■ order was restored quickly.
Hardwick, although only 18 years
I i old, was considered one of the most
dangerous prisoners in k he peniten
* tiary. He was serving a Term of from
1 to 50 years for hank robbery. Ed-
I wards was serving a term for burg
lary.
setes
POISON RUM KILLS
17 IN THREE DAYS
Saloonkeeper, Wife and Six
Others Arrested —Buffalo
Raided After Seven Die.
