Looking back: The infamous jailbreak attempt that took place at the Ross County jail in 1923 is a story that captivated headlines of the era. The plot involved “Dollar” Charley Kline, Denver Hatfield, and Joseph Schiel, who devised an elaborate plan of escape under the cloak of darkness and silence. The trio managed to quietly break free from their holding cell in a thrilling escape attempt that would go down in history.
The 1923 escape from Ross County Jail thwarted by Sheriff Don Swepston and his deputies is akin to a captivating plot from a classic crime movie. These inmates had been plotting their escape for three weeks, and their efforts date back nearly a decade earlier when Kline had previously helped foil an escape attempt by seven other prisoners in 1915. The escape caught the attention of the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette who reported the daring events in a detailed exposé on the jailbreak.
Although the escape attempt was notable for its convoluted nature, it ultimately ended in failure, cementing the reputation of the Ross County jail as inescapable. Even though there were moments of tension and suspense, justice prevailed, and the perpetrators were brought to justice. The story of these daring escapees serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Ross County jail and the fortitude of those who ensure that the law is upheld.
