March
4, 1911 – Two well-known Minneapolis criminals escaped from the
state prison in Stillwater around 8 this evening; the first escape from a cell
in 20 years. One of the men, Jerry
McCarthy, shot at Patrolman Jonasson Christmas Eve in 1909 when the officer
attempted to arrest him as a suspicious character. The bullet passed between
the arm and the body of the policeman. The other escapee, Peter Juhl, was sent
up from Minneapolis last June on a charge of grand larceny. Juhl was serving
nine years and McCarthy 10 years.
The men made false keys from bits of iron and unlocked
their cell doors. They managed to reach the wall undetected and scaled it. Men
passing the prison saw them as they dropped from the wall and promptly notified
the police department in Stillwater.
As the Stillwater officers ran to the prison, the guards discovered the escape.
A general alarm was sent out to the wardens, guards and officers and a closely
woven human net began a systematic search of the territory surrounding the
town. The telephone and telegraph wires were freely used and practically every
town within a 50-mile radius was notified.
Stillwater Prison1
A reward of $50 for each convict was posted. It is thought the men may have
crossed the St. Croix River on the ice and made for the Wisconsin woods. Warden
Wolfer expects the men will be captured within a few hours, although the daring
and clever manner of their escape indicates that they will probably be difficult
me to capture.
Juhl is said by Minneapolis police to have a sweetheart in Minneapolis and they
believe he will ultimately be found there. Both men are under 30-years-old. Juhl
is described as being five feet, five inches tall, sallow complexion and
weighing about 137 pounds. McCarthy is a little over six feet tall, weighs
about 197 pounds and is of light complexion.
There is much concern from the warden and guards that the
counterfeit cell keys have not been found, and may be in the hands of other
prisoners.
The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Minneapolis
Convicts Escape State Prison. Jerry McCarthy and Peter Jule Thwart Guards at
Stillwater. Long Term Men at Large, With Large Posse in Pursuit. Closely Woven
Human Net Formed—Rewards Posted.”; March 5, 1911; p. 1.
The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Secret
Signal System Credited to Convicts. State Prison Officials Are Alarmed Over
Situation in Penitentiary. Inmates Said to Know of Two Prisoners’ Escape
through Code. Whereabouts of Missing Key to Cells Causes of Much Worry.”; March
9, 1911; p. 3.
1https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:State_prison_at_Stillwater,_by_James_Sinclair.png
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