ATTEMPTED ESCAPE FROM GAOL.

Evening Star, Issue 4092, 7 April 1876, Page 4

ATTEMPTED ESCAPE FROM GAOL.

Smat’s attempted escape from Wellington Gaol deserves notice if only on account of the originality of the design. It was at 8.30 a.m. on Monday (reports the ‘ Evening Argus’ of that day) that the gaol .authorities were made aware of a well-con-trived plan on the part of Smat to escape from the .gaol. He had been absent but a . very short time when - the warders heard'a' cry for assistance. It was then discovered that Smat had let himself down the well, which is 160 feet deep, and in his effort to secrete himself in the wall or side of the well had fallen into the water. Feeling himself in a position of danger, he roared lustily for r . help, and with the aid of the windlass he _ was brought to the surface, when it was learnt that he had.let himself down by the pump rod and accidentally slipped into the water. But for this break in his plans, Smat would probably have remained in the well till dinner time, when there Would be no one in the yard) and then might have 'got away from the gaol by climbing over the roof of the building; : When stripped, after being takencutoftjje water, it was found he had --torobis .itMjpto strips, and wore nothing deceive the Warders. These together, and thus a rope either in getting lA scaling thoprison waif. offencb of attemptconsignment for a, period tr weekh Smat Wa« regarded . ffnlfljfejy ‘ pcWcSi tU hske any 1 $ heft (tt dfteirbiai jheoUmo of him; but since Bridal and Ban!

were declared to be out of danger and he felt that he would escape hanging, he brightened up a bit, and finally summoned courage enough to attempt the escape. His own clothes being wet through getting into the water, he was brought to the Supreme Court in gaol clothing.