A Dozen Prisoners Take French Leave From Blountville
The Old Sullivan County Prison Hull a Disgrace
The biggest jail delivery that has ever been known in Sullivan County, Tenn., was made at Blountville this week.* The old hull, which is a disgrace to this county, contained about a dozen prisoners, most of whom were confined on serious charges. One of the number was Charles Clemins, the negro who foully and brutally murdered a yellow girl here some weeks ago. His neck would in all probability have paid the penalty. W.F. Clapp, of Russell County, VA. who obtained goods from M.B. Wood under false pretenses, was another. The jailer has generously and magnanimously opened his throbbing heart, which is running over with liberality, and offers the munificent sum of $10 each for their arrest. Of course the officers are scouring the country and the prisoners will be brought back speedily.
Lewdness, theft, gambling and all sorts of crime are the order of the day…
* Note: “Jail Delivery” here means several prisoners escaped from the jail
