PRISON PLOT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 30 July 1929, Page 5

PRISON PLOT

FOR WHOLESALE ESCAPE DESPERATE FIGHT WITH GUARDS BUILDINGS FIRED (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian Press Association) NEW YORK, 28th July. The Auburn State prison, one of the largest in the State, was virtually destroyed by fire to-night as the result of an extraordinary attempt at wholesale escape, by 1700 'men aiid women prisoners. ' A few guards, aided by volunteers, exhibited great courage and resourcefulness under the leadership of Warder Jennings in holding back the mob of convicts with machine ;guns from the walls, which the prisoners were unable to cross, despite possession of the prison's store of gas bombs and firearms. The plot was apparently perfectly timed and matured, and for ten hours the situation was desperate, after which Warder Jennings reported that control had been regained, with ten convicts missing. One was killed and eleven injured. Four guards were injured by bullets and gas. Four firemen are suffering from burns and suffocation. The attempted break occurred during Sunday morning at a period when the convicts were in the yard Two overpowered the guard and obtained the keys to the ammunition stores, after which others fired the buildings, and hours of difficult work fpr the guards ensued. '.;