Murderer Attempts Escape

OSTRANDER, OLAUGHLIN, CUMINGS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/25/2009 at 08:21:41

Dubuque Weekly Times, December 12, 1861.

AN ATTEMPT TO BREAK JAIL-

On Sunday last George Ostrander the murderer, made a serious attempt to break jail. In the morning he asked Ned O’Laughlin for his best clothes for the purpose he said of dressing on account of it being the Sabbath. Ned’s suspicions were aroused by this and he made up his mind to watch him. Concealing himself in the jail yard in the evening he was soon rewarded for his vigilance by seeing a head pushed through the grate of the outer door, and an instrument shoved into the key hole of the lock. He lost no time in seizing the hand, and identifying Ostrander. He was afterwards thoroughly searched, but no other implements were discovered.

The key made in this instance by Ostrander was an ingenious contrivance made of heavy iron wire bound together by fine wire. It locked and unlocked the door of his cell perfectly well, but by good fortune the lock of the outer door had been recently altered, so that the same key would not turn both bolts. Ostrander must have had a confederate in this matter to supply him with the necessary materials. The tool which he manufactured for the purpose of procuring his liberties was skillfully constructed, and showed no little knowledge of the locksmith’s art. Sheriff Cumings will take care hereafter that such an attempt be not repeated.