THE SUSSEX ADVERTISER, SURREY GAZETTE, &C., MARCH 15, 1853
On the night of the 6th instant, Josiah Glew, a pauper at the Easebourne Workhouse, and who has at various times been an inmate of Petworth Gaol, absconded from the workhouse, taking with him a suit of clothes, pair of stockings, two handkerchiefs, pillowcase, three shirts, two blankets and a pair of new boots. His escape was effected in the following daring manner at between 40 and 50 feet below his bedroom window is the leaded roof of the boardroom, and obtaining two sheets, he tied them together and fastened the end to an iron bar in his window, from whence, he by the aid of the sheets, let himself down to the roof below, and form there slid to the ground by means of a pipe used for conveying the water off the roof. A pane of glass was broken in his window, apparently by his foot in getting out; but nevertheless none of the inmates were roused, and the fugitive managed to clear off, and was not missed till the morning shewed the sheets fluttering from the window. This man appears to be a thoroughly artful card. As a short time ago, being in Petworth Gaol, he contrived to exhibit such symptoms, and make such professions of amendment of life, as to obtain from the authorities both money and clothes, promising to immediately leave the country and strive to redeem his character as an emigrant. A very short time after he had left the prison, however, he had pawned his clothes and spent his money; and the resent result shews how he kept his promise of amendment of life."
