St. Clair County
Remnants Of The Past

Osceola Herald
15 June 1871

Broke Jail

The Butler Record says, James Sprague, who murdered Dewire in this place about two years ago, and who was taken from this county a few weeks ago, on a change of venue to Cass, and confined in the Harrisonville jail, made his escape last Wednesday, with three other prisoners, Al. Larkins, --- Harper, and Wm. Calopy.
The Harrisonville Democrat says: The work of making a hole in the jail wall, was mostly done by some party on the outside, who had entered the cellar by crawling under the porch; and had selected a place where the wall – just below the jail floor, light stone, which were removed making a hole about three feet long and one foot wide, and having carried the material that was removed from the wall and placed it outside while the prisoners done what they could on the inside – there evidently being a pre-concerted plan for the escape.
There will be a liberal reward paid for the arrest and return of the prisoners, or for information that will lead to their recovery. The following is a description: Sprague is a large man, tall and erect, being rather good looking and about 26 years of age, black, straight hair, blue eyes, forehead, full above the eyes and sloping back, leaving a full middle forehead.
Al. Larkins is a small, lean, wiry man, about 25 years old, has rather sharp features, and abundance of tolerably black, rather short hair, considerably bent or stoop shoulders, and a sharp, harsh voice. He was awaiting trial on a charge of larceny, serving out a six month term. Wm. Calopy had been in only a short time, charged with larceny; not so much importance being attached to their being arrested as to the other two; still the Sheriff would be glad to see them returned. Geo. Weaver, who was in jail awaiting trial on a charge of rape, did not attempt to escape.
Sheriff Briant and deputy McCall cannot be blamed or censured in the slightest degree, or charged with neglect of duty as officers. The portion of the wall which was removed was formed of material that could be easily taken out; and it is strange that it was not done before. – Bulletin.