MURDER IN GAOL

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1937, Page 5

MURDER IN GAOL

OFFICER STABBED By Six South Carolina Convicts [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received December 13, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 12. A message from Columbia, in South Carolina, states that Olin Sanders, the Captain of the Guards at the State Penitentiary, was stabbed to death by six convicts, who seized his office, and held him prisoner, in an attempt to escape.

The fatal wounds were inflicted while the South Carolina State Governor, Mr. Johnston, stood outside the window of the office, shouting and pleading with the prisoners to release Captain Sanders. The militia eventually, came, and .hurled tear gas into the office, subduing and capturing the convicts, after several hours of terror and confusion.

An official explanation is lacking" as to how the convicts gained access to the office. Apparently they slipped in at breakfast time, for they were there when Sanders returned from his routine morning inspection.

The convicts demanded that Sanders should telephone an order for a car to be brought to the door. This Sanders refused. A corporal of the Guard then appeared at the office window, and Sanders shouted an explanation of the situation. Despite the threats of the convicts, who were armed with knives, the corporal gave notice to the Gaol Superintendent and the State Governor. Governor Johnston ordered out the militia, while he was dressing, and he hurried to the prison. He there talked with Captain Sanders through the window. Sanders asked “Please get me out of here!” Governor Johnston offered to permit the convicts to return to their cells without punishment if they would free Sanders, but they refused. They cursed and stabbed Sanders as the result of his persistent refusals to summon a car. The militia arrived an hour later and captured the convicts. The convicts were armed with five knives, three of which had been improvised from scissor blades, and one dummy pistol.