1871 - Escaped from Jail

A burglar escaped from the jail at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, last week, in an ingenious manner. He began by digging into the wall of his cell, intending to make a hole large enough for him to pass through, but before he got through the wall he discovered that the keys of his cell were hanging on the wall about six feet from the door. He then tore the castings from the window, spliced them together, and then putting them between the grates, grappled for the keys. He was successful in getting them, unlocked his door, got into the attic and slid down the water pipe. He was recaptured the next day at Albany.