Prison Guard John A. Clay

John A. Clay

Guard John Clay and Guard Allison Ephkriams Allison were shot and killed during an escape attempt by inmates at the Missouri State Penitentiary.

The inmates had been smuggled four revolvers, ammunition, and explosives into the Missouri State Penitentiary.

After the murders, the inmates were apprehended by citizens in front of the prison.

Three of the inmates were convicted of murder and hanged on June 27th, 1907.

One of the three who was hanged was a member of the Morrison-Rosenau Gang, which was responsible for the murders of Detective Thomas Dwyer, Detective James McCluskey, and Detective John Shea, of the St. Louis Police Department, on October 21st, 1904.