Guard Merritt W. Hayden

Merritt W. Hayden

Guard Merritt Hayden succumbed to injuries sustained three days earlier when he was attacked by two inmates during an escape from the old Hampden County Jail, at the base of York Street along the Connecticut River.

The two inmates hid in a room next to the recreation yard and then struck him on the head with a club after he climbed down from the guard tower. The two inmates then escaped but were both recaptured. Both were charged with murder.