Chapter Six. The trial of Brice, and his sentence to be hung by the neck until dead had made no noticeable impression on him. He showed no signs of sadness or fear, and appeared to feel assured that he would not hang. His attitude no doubt had bearing on the fact that extra precautions were taken to assure that he could not, and would not escape. Four men were now employed to be his guards, two by night and two by day. In addition to the manacles on his legs, a ring was firmly secured around the post that supported the roof, Affixed to the ring was one end of a chain, which was securely fastened with a lock and key to his manacles which were firmly riveted around his ankles. Strangers were excluded from the room. Escape was impossible. While Brice was chained to the post like an animal the only exercise he was allowed was walking around the post dragging the heavy chain after him. The town was talking, both for and against the soon to be hung man. Many people sympathized with him, and on one occasion a nicely frosted cake was delivered to him. Another time a committee of well meaning ladies gained admittance to comfort him, bringing a Bible and a bouquet of flowers. Many people were opposed to hanging for any reason and a petition was circulated and signed by enough people that the petition was sent to the governor of Iowa asking that his sentence be changed to imprisonment for life. This act gave Brice a reprieve from his February 2nd date with the gallows. On February 15, 1866, as matters were still being considered by the governor, at about four oclock in the morning Alan Campbell who was on guard awoke from a stupor and feeling very strange. He saw the lights had been turned down and wondered why. On turning them up he saw the prisoner was gone. Mr. Starkie, the other guard with him was found to be breathing heavily and he could not wake him. Mr. Campbell ran to the hotel and sounded the alarm. On looking around it was noted that one of the stage horses, a very powerful and swift animal was missing. On returning to the court room the odor of chloroform was unmistakable. Near Starkie, and also where Campbell had fallen the floor had been saturated with the powerful drug. How Brice had obtained it or the key that unlocked his chain from his manacles remains a mystery. He did however leave behind a paper indicating that he had possessed these articles as early as the 10th of January. Once again a pursuing party was quickly organized and was on the trail of the wanted man. He obviously had gotten lost again for he had traveled in a northeasterly direction for several miles. When daylight came he turned to the southeast, his intended route and endeavored to elude the posse. It had been sleeting and the top of the ground was soft and icy. The pursing party found no difficulty in following his trail. They were not far behind Brice when he reached the Platte River. The recent rains had swollen the stream until it was out of its banks and ice was running freely down the river. Brice knew it was a question of life and death and did not hesitate to plunge his horse into the rushing, ice filled water. He safely reached the other shore and soon found a house where he warmed himself and dried his clothes before resuming his flight. When the posse reached the Platte River and saw the condition of the icy waters they refused to cross, fearing for their lives. The only alternative was to go up the stream some six or eight miles where there was a bridge or return home. They went round by way of the bridge but it was two three days before they picked up Brices trail again, only to lose it a short time later. The search continued day and night for ten days before it was given up. Brice had escaped. Various rumors were to reach Bedford about the fate of Joseph Brice. Sometimes he was reported to be in Missouri, and other times in Dakota. Some thought he had fled to the Rocky Mountains. There were reports of him visiting Illinois, the home of his youth. Whether any of it was true or not was never known. Joseph Brice was an exception to the ordinary run of humanity, physically strong, shrewd of intellect, knew no fear, and was ready to adopt any course that seemed likely to favor his selfish purposes. He would have been dare-devil enough to have even visited Bedford if he had seen a chance to accomplish some selfish design and take his chances of being arrested. His escape from the gallows was a misfortune to society.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 13:16:01 +0000