Another
time shots were heard. They seemed to be coming from the guard post
in front of the prison. Out in the bay there was a tugboat and the
bullets were aimed at it. The tug was just about out of range and was
heading for the opposite shore. Then we saw it turn and head East
toward Richmond on the Contra Costa shore.
We
learned that several prisoners had been unloading a barge of jute at
the prison dock. The barge had come from San Francisco and was pulled
by a tugboat. The prisoners were guarded by one guard, who also
directed the work. They decided to overpower the guard and take the
tug and try to make their escape.
But
the entire prison was now alerted and word went out to the
surrounding area. When the tug with half a dozen prisoners aboard
reached the eastern shore there was a sheriff's posse waiting for
them. They were taken into custody and brought back to the prison.
The guard whom they overpowered had been severely beaten and he died.
The men were tried for murder and all of them were convicted and
sentenced to death. They were all executed.
Author:
William J. Duffy, Jr.