There is something almost comical about a jailbreak attempted with a rusty pair of scissors, but Harry Kelly’s little excavation project was treated as no laughing matter by the Spokane authorities.
In November 1902, Kelly was sitting in the county jail when he apparently decided that brick walls were only a temporary inconvenience. With the help of a battered pair of scissors, he began digging at the masonry of his cell, hoping to carve his way back to freedom one brick at a time.
The plan did not get him very far. Instead of escape, Kelly earned himself a stay in the dungeon and, afterward, a transfer to a much stronger iron cage.
The article paints him as a troublesome prisoner, a man already well known to police and currently serving time for his role in holding up the Welcome Saloon. His partner in that crime, Welch, was described as a model prisoner, which only made Kelly’s behavior stand out more sharply.
What remains unanswered is perhaps the most interesting part of the story: who gave Kelly the scissors? Sheriff Doust claimed he was close to finding out, but for the moment, the rusty tool had already done enough damage to turn an ordinary jail sentence into a small county scandal.
Used Scissors
Harry Kelly, the prisoner in the county jail who endeavored to break his way to freedom yesterday by digging out the bricks of his cell with a rusty pair of scissors, was released this morning from confinement in the dungeon.
He was not, however, returned to his old cell, but is lodged in a strong iron cage that will baffle any further attempts he may make to regain his liberty.
It seems that ever since the term of his incarceration began, Kelly has been the cause of unwonted trouble to the prison officers. His name is well known to the police, as he has been arrested several times before on charges similar to that for which he is now under sentence.
Sheriff Doust says that Kelly has all the marks of a habitual criminal, as his actions while imprisoned are perfectly in keeping with the disposition of one.
He is now under conviction for holding up the Welcome Saloon last spring in company with his partner, Welch, who is said to be a model prisoner in every way.
The authorities are desirous of making Kelly’s life as cheerful and agreeable as his position will allow, but an iron hand must be brought to bear upon him should he continue to be the source of so much trouble.
It has not yet been found out by whom the scissors were supplied to Kelly. Sheriff Doust, however, is giving the case a thorough investigation and says that he is now pretty well on the track, although he is not at this time prepared to make a positive statement.
Source: The Spokane Press. Spokane, Wash. November 11, 1902.
