Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-27
TO BLOW UP A JAIL.
Matricide Latimer Heads a Scheme to
Destroy Michigan Penitentiary.

Jackson (Mich. special to the Philadelphia
Press says: Irving Latimer, the dude who
murdered his mother last January in order to
possess himself Of her little property and was
in April sentenced to prison for life is in soli-
tary confinement again and there is reason to
believe that he will remain there for an indef-
mite period.
When Latimer was first received at the
prison he made such loud professions as to the
perfect life he proposed to lead that the
authorities at once grew suspicious of him and
watch was set on his every movement. Six
weeks ago Warden Hatch began to believe that
his suspicious were well grounded and the
young man was kept under stricter surveillance
than ever. Not only was Latimer kept con-
stanty under the eye of trusty guards, but the
prisoners with whom he associated were sub
Jected to like espionage, and on Friday a
choreman was seen to pick up something near
the north wall Of the prison. He was not
lnterfered with at the time, and when oppor-
tunity presented itself he transferred the
package to Latimer.
The latter secreted it in his cell Friday
night Saturday morning the youthful MUIR
derer was surprised to learn that somebody
else would attend to his prison duties and
Immediately thereafter Warden Hatch and
three deputies entered Latimer', CELL The
prisoner was mutfed and a search of the cell
was begun. That search resulted in the find
ing Of a package OF Hercules powder sufficient
In quantity to blow up the prison.
Latimer always cool and calculating showed
not the least excitement when the discovery
was made. Neither would he affirm nor deny
that he knew anything of a plot to destroy the
prison, and the warden sent him to the solitary
cell to refresh his memory or break his temper.
The powder was thrown over the walls by one
of Latimer's friends. The question is, who?
A woman, who evinced deep interest in the
youth when he was on trial, has been here
within the past month. and her actions will be
investigated, though it is possible that her
visit and the plot were merely coincidental
Some OF the prisoners believe or affect to be-
lieve that discharged convicts are at the bot
tom Of the affair. 1t is suggested that they in
terested Latimer on the inside and his friends
on the outside. and that the purpose was to
blow up portion of the walls Just about the
time work was knocked of some evening when
grand rush would be made and some of the
800 prisoners, among them the plotters, would
gain liberty.
For weeks Latimer has manifested q deep
concern about money matters. which, under
the circumstances, considered singular
The plot to destroy the prison was not hatched
in Latimers brain. For years the managers of
the place have known that such scheme would
be worked when chance favored, but it was not
until Latimer came that cool-headed villain
could be secured to manage the details. The
lmperturbable young man carries all the at
tributes needed for the work. and he was en-
listed IN the scheme as soon as he was declared
70. n" by older prison birds. Warden Hatch
believes that Latimer will tell all he knows OF
the conspiracy within forty-eight hours.