We have just related some cases where men have broken out of prison, and
it is in order to state the facts regarding a robbery that took place at
the prison. A man actually broke into prison for the purpose of stealing.
He had procured a rope ladder and scaled one of the rear walls, made his
way to the Western Shoe company’s factory and selected the finest case of
shoes he could find. He then retraced his way to the wall, tied a rope to
the case of shoes, climbed up and went away as though the act of stealing
shoes from a penitentiary was an every‐day accomplishment for him. He was
also captured, and it was then discovered that he had been a former
inmate, accounting for his familiarity with the grounds. The place is
constantly patroled by two night watchmen, and it is still a mystery how
he managed to evade them. This act might have been performed out of a
spirit of reckless bravado to demonstrate to the other inmates that he was
fully capable. His little stunt, however, cost him another residence of
three and one‐half years at the prison.