From the Richmond Commercial Bulletin, 5/13/1865, p. 3, c. 1

ESCAPE OF DICK TURNER. – This noted individual succeeded in making his escape from the Libby prison on Thursday night. Egress was effected by removing a wooden bar, which probably had been placed in the window of his cell by some former occupant when he was the jailor. The dexterous prisoner who arranged this bar little thought that it would be the means of allowing the very person to escape who was guarding him. For a long time it had escaped scrutiny. Turner no doubt became aware of the presence of this Quaker bar, but was deterred from attempting any escape by the outside sentinel, who, in fair weather, promenaded in front of his window. During the rain of Thursday night, however, the sentries were allowed to seek shelter in the covered doorways, and Turner seeing his favorable opportunity, removed the bar, and squeezing through the small aperture, soon landed upon the outside, and as he has not since been heard from, and as no clue has been found, the story must needs be ended here. There are but few inmates of the Libby at present, the most noted of those in confinement being Judge Ould and Colonel Hatch. It is now used as a distributing depot, and no permits for visitors are allowed to be issued.

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