Sentenced to the Penitentiary

YANCY, SMITH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 6/21/2009 at 01:43:43

Jackson Sentinel, November 16, 1899.

Sentenced to the Penitentiary-

Charles Yancy and S. Smith, who shot Conductor Hicks of the Northwestern, were sentenced to the penitentiary, the former for five and the latter for ten years. There are strong reasons for believing these men are the ones who killed two brakemen on the Great Western a short time previous to wounding Mr. Hicks. – Preston Times

Sabula Gazette, November 25, 1899.

A Sensational Escape.

The escape of Yancy, the robber and would-be murderer, from the sheriff almost at the doors of the penitentiary, was a sensational affair. Yancy had been sentenced for five years for complicity in the shooting of Conductor Hicks at Kelly. He was handcuffed to his partner in the crime and the sheriff had brought them to Fort Madison. They were put in a cab when Yancy suddenly broke the chain and jumped through the cab window. The officer could not pursue him for fear of losing his other prisoner and by the time the alarm was given the escaped man could not be found.