His wife Addie and daughters Mary Agnes and Margaret
Guard John Clay and Guard Allison Ephraim Allison were shot and killed during an escape attempt by inmates.
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 27, 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 21, 1904.
There are currently no photos for Corrections Officer John A. Clay.
There are currently no tributes for Corrections Officer John A. Clay.