Old timer stories are replete with tales of the deputy U. S. Marshals transporting prisoners by making them walk along chained, sometimes to a log. Other tales incorporate a steel cage wagon mostly used for wounded prisoners. And, most written material leaves the impression that such measures were sufficient and escape was not an option. There are stories of escape attempts from the Ft. Smith Federal jail principally by men charged with, or convicted of, murder. I've started collecting stories of escape attempts, like the two below, and would like to hear about others.
Purcell Register, July 19, 1895
"Something over 10 days ago, Deputy Marshal Ben Goode arrested Darnell Williams, a young man residing in the vicinity of Paoli, under the charge of "boot legging" the fluid which Uncle Sim (sic)seeks to keep from the confines of this country. The examination was set by his honor, Judge Gates, for last wednesday, and Deputy Goode left Tuesday for the purpose of bringing the witnesses forth, leaving the defendant in charge of Bud Logue, as guard. Growing tired of weary waiting, he gave "leg bail" Tuesday night, and is supposed to be rusticating at the present time in pastures where Deputy Marshals do not penetrate to abridge a fellow's liberties or make him afraid. Bud left on the night train for Paoli to assist in breaking the news to Ben, who now declares that the next fellow that gets away from him will go out skinned slicker than an eel."

"Attempted Jail Delivery. Ardmore, I. T., July 14--A second attempt in the last six weeks by the prisoners confined in the United States jail here to escape by tunneling out was made last night. The prisoners when discovered had cut a trench large enough to admit the body of a man lying on his face and hands for a distance of seven feet, and had not their plans been discovered and frustrated, in a few more hours they would have set the whole gang at liberty.
The leader in the attempted delivery of last night is known to be Cheek Finley. Finley is but 18 years old and was committed two weeks ago on a charge of cattle stealing. When the officers approached to iron him, he knocked one of them down with his fist, jumping on him and stamping him in the face. Other officers with Winchesters appeared on the scene and he was forced into submission and severely punished for his muntiny."

Have you the story of the Christian brothers escaping from the Oklahoma City jail where Jim Casey and the chief of police were killed? The time, I think. was in August of 1895. Say, for what purpose are you collecting this type of story?

Yes, I've read the story of the Christian brothers and one of the Casey boys escape and shoot out with Oklahoma City police force. It's one of the more interesting escapes.
As to why I'm compliling such tales, curious, I guess. I find the whole subject interesting. The conditions territorial lawmen were operating in were so primative, it's hard for me to imagine how they overcame them. Very little has been compiled on what actually transpired between arrest and trial between the officers and their prisoners. Knowing the problems officers had with security sort of makes both the officer and prisoner seem more human, for instance, several stories exist describing deputies chaining their catch to the bed post in their own homes--don't you know that made the Mrs. happy.

It depends on the Mrs.