Posted with permission of the transcriber, Barb. Baker. Not much 'honour among thieves' on this occasion. lol Geo. THE TIMES, Monday Jan. 13, 1851. - Escape of Robbers from Carlisle Gaol. CARLISLE, JAN. 11. Between 3 and 4 o'clock this morning, JOHN THOMPSON, WILLIAM MOUNSEY, and THOMAS PINNICK, three desperate characters who (along with another man named WILLIAM GRAHAM) were committed about six weeks ago to take their trial for highway robbery and attempted murder, made their escape from Carlisle gaol by a well planned stratagem. Three of these fellows have been previously convicted more than once. Their conduct, when examined before the magistrates' at the Town-hall, was of the most uproarious nature. They had robbed a poor old farmer upon the Brampton-road at midnight, and their violence on the occasion was such that they left him in his cart apparently dead. He, however, recovered. The circumstances attending their escape are briefly as follows: Ever since their committal to gaol GRAHAM has been subject to epileptic fits; consequently, the surgeon ordered that he should sleep in a cell with two other prisoners, whose duty it was to take charge of him during these attacks. He was at first separated from his fellow offenders, but since the sessions, which were held last week, there were no other untried prisoners remaining, with the exception of one; the governor therefore (who is prevented by law from placing convicted prisoners along with those who have not yet been tried) had no alternative but to place one of his own party with him, in connexion with the untried prisoner already alluded to. Yesterday morning this man objected to remain any longer iin the same cell with the two highway robbers on account of their extreme wickedness. Consequently the governor placed another of their companions with them, thus making a party of three. Owing to an uproar shortly after 2 o'clock this morning, the night watchman (JOHN JAMES) went to the governor's bedroom window and stated that there was great shouting and knocking in ward No. 4, and that he thought GRAHAM had had another fit. The governor accordingly gave him the keys and a light to go into the gallery and ascertain the fact; he went to the door of the cell in which the three robbers were confined, looked through the keyhole, and seeing the other two prisoners holding GRAHAM, inquired, "Is anything amiss?" One of the party replied, "For God's sake make haste and open the door; the fellow is dying." Knowing that GRAHAM was subject to fits, he incautiously opened the door and introduced his light, though against his instructions, which are never under any circumstances to enter a cell by himself. No sooner had he opened the door than he was seized by the throat by GRAHAM ( the dying man ! ), thrown upon his back, and the keys forcibly taken from him. He made every resistance, but all was of no avail; moreover, MOUNSEY civilly said to him, "If you don't be quiet d___d sharply it will be the worse for you; but if you are quiet, as you are only a working man like ourselves, we'll not imbrue our hands in your blood." The three robbers then left the cell, having locked up in it the watchman, who still shouted, but could not be heard from the governor's bedroom. They then liberated their companion PINNICK who was locked up in another cell, and the four immediately proceeded to plan means for effecting their escape. They first got a plank, which they fixed upon the spikes of some railings bordering the south wall of the prison; they next carried off a short ladder used by the night watchman for lighting the lamps. This they placed upon the plank, but as their machinery was still defective they secured a long towel, which proved very useful. The towel was handed to GRAHAM, who (being the tallest man) mounted first, and with difficulty got upon the wall. The other prisoners, assisted by GRAHAM with the towel, were then pulled up one by one, till the whole four were perched upon the wall like so many cats. Their next business was to descend. They accordingly drew up the ladder and let it down on the opposite side of the wall; the towel was again brought into requisition by GRAHAM, who let the other three down till they reached the top of the ladder, which they descended with comparative ease. When MOUNSEY reached the ground he threw down the ladder and shouted to GRAHAM (for whom they all appeared to entertain a great dislike), "Stick there you b____ y skylark." The three men then made off a quickly as possible along the Caledonian Railway, and according to GRAHAM's statement ran in the direction of Ravinglass. GRAHAM not being able to help himself either in one way or another sat upon the wall for at least an hour, when he called a watchman, telling him that all the prisoners were escaping, and that he believed they had murdered the night watchman. The governor was instantly aroused; he ran out half-naked, and saw GRAHAM upon the wall. Several watchmen now entered, and one of them holding up his baton and pointing to GRAHAM, exclaimed "Come down, you villain, or I'll blow your brains out." "Oh ! don't fire, and I'll come down," was the reply. He was then brought down by a ladder and secured. Every possible means have been resorted to for the recapture of the escaped prisoners. Police officers and other parties were instantly despatched to Wigton, Hesket, Wreay, Skewmire, Dalston, Singtown, Whitehaven, and in fact in all directions; but up to 10 o'clock this evening, no intelligence of their recapture has been received. 20l. reward has been offered for their apprehension. THOMPSON is an Irishman, 23 years of age, slight made, 5 ft. 3-1/4 in. high, swarthy complexion, black curly hair, grey eyes; dressed in a black shooting coat, black vest, and black trousers, cloth cap, and clogs. MOUNSEY is a native of Durham; 59 years of age, 5 ft. 6-1/4 in. high, fresh complexion, brown hair (long and straight), blue eyes, head large; had on a cloth cap with peak, dark shooting coat, cord trousers, and ankle shoes. PINNICK is a native of Southampton; 24 years of age, 5ft. 3-1/4 in. high, fresh complexion, dark brown hair (long and straight), hazel eyes, strong black whiskers; dressed in a dark shooting coat, dark vest, and trousers, and clogs. ====================================================