Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison/Proclamation Offering a reward for apprehending a jail breaker
Proclamation: Offering a Reward for a Jail Breaker
May 5, 1802
Executive Journal, 6
The Sheriff of Knox County having reported to the Governor that a Certain John Williams, confined in the jail of the said County, on the Charge of murder, did on the night of the 4th. Instant [May] Break the Jail, and from thence Effected his Escape, the Governor Issued a proclamation offering a Reward of three hundred Dollars, to any person or persons, who should apprehend the said Williams, and deliver him to the Custody of the Sheriff of said County, he also in the same proclamation Charges and requires all Sheriffs, Constables, and other Civil officers of the Territory to make diligent search for the said Culprit; and he requests the good Citizens of the Territory to give all the assistance in their power towards apprehending him, and as there is great reason to believe the said Williams was assisted by some Villian or Villians in making his Escape, the Governor offers a further reward of one hundred dollars, to any person or persons who will give information of any accomplice or accomplices of the said Williams in Breaking the Jail so that the offenders may be prosecuted with effect.[1]
- ↑ A small hunting party of Indians under the lead of an Indian named Jim Gallaway were hunting on Blue river. They had about $50 worth of fur when their camp was discovered by three white wretches named John Williams, Martin Williams and a man named Cutchelow who murdered all the Indians and escaped with the plunder to Kentucky. On the order of the Governor of Kentucky Captain Davis Floyd arrested John Williams in Breckinridge county, Kentucky. Cutchelow was rescued by his neighbors from the sheriff and Martin Williams escaped to New Orleans. John Williams was lodged in jail at Vincennes where he broke jail by the aid of friends and escaped, as shown in the proclamation. The criminals escaped conviction but were all killed by the Indians a short time later while on a trapping expedition. See Harrison to Sec. of War July 15. 1801. Dawson. Harrison, 29 seq.