Dannemora’s Greatest Escapes

Headline: Clinton Prison Break, 1909

Headline, 1909

The sixth chapter of Escape from Dannemora details several of Clinton Prison’s greatest escapes. A few examples include:

  • 1874: Escape of John Filkins, who had pulled off the Albany Express Robbery in 1871. Filkins had been obsessively seeking opportunities to escape since his arrival at Clinton Prison, but his previous attempts had been thwarted. After he seemingly disappeared from the prison, speculation as to Filkins’ methods and whereabouts went on for years.
  • 1893: Escape of Mike Rafter and John Kearney from a road crew, not an unusual feat, but Kearney made it much farther from the prison than most escapees.
  • 1902: Escape of James Concannon, who was later captured with the help of Mrs. Thomas Harney of Cadyville.

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