The New York Times tells a good story of the escape of a convict:
William Phillips, a burglar confined in the Massachusetts State Prison, got off a few days ago under circumstances which place the warden, Mr. Robinson, in rather a ludicrous position. It seems the convict stated that if taken to a certain locality he could point out a spot where he had buried $5000, the produce of his various robberies. He was driven to the place in the custody of the warden and city marshal, and having indicated the spot where the treasure was concealed, the city marshal, Mr. Nichols, rolled up his shirt sleeves and went to work in earnest. After a considerable cavity had been made, sufficiently spaced to admit one or two persons, and while Mr. Nichols was under the bank hard at work, the warden and Phillips standing at the edge of the hole, the rascal watched his opportunity, and giving Mr. Robinson a violent push, tumbled him into the hole upon Mr. Nichols. He instantly threw a quantity of dirt in upon them, much to the detriment of their eyesight, and taking to his heels effected his escape. At the time the warden fell upon Mr. Nichols, the latter had his ankle sprained so badly that he is still confined to his house.
Source: Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register, Houston, Texas, Thursday, June 14, 1849; Pg. 2, Column 3
