Liberty Tribune Newspaper, March 26, 1852 We omitted to state last week that the 3 Floersh's (sic), charged with the murder of Wilkinson, made their escape on the night of the 12th by undermining the foundation of the jail. They were arrested next day, and lodged in jail. They traveled all night and were arrested in a mile and a half of town.
Liberty jail was only open for 23 years - it was eventually closed due to the conditions being declared "inhuman". The jail was not designed with the prisoners in mind - rather security for the jailer of primary concern, who stayed in the ground level deck, while the prisoners were secured below. The only access to the cell was through a trap-door in the floor by ladder to the lower level. Several men were contained in very close quarters at one time. Conditions would have been cold, damp, and bitter in the winter. Johann spent several…