The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-10-14
PAINFUL. IRONY.
Convicts Make Burglars
Implements
AT SAN QUENTIN PRISON.
A Striped Robber Caught With
a Clever Outfit.
NOTES TO PALS IN THE PARCEL.
Ben Harkins, San Francisco Grim.
inal, Had the Tools Ready for
Passing Outside.
NOTES TO PALS IN THE PARCEL

For long time past the implements
which burglars use in their nocturnal
operations have been manufactured al
benches in the machine-shop at San Quen-
tin prison, but it was only yesterday that
such knowledge was given the Board OF
Prison Directors.
Warden Hale informed the commission
that Convict Ben Harkins. an imp rtation
from San Francisco. was caught with q
package of burglars tools, made ready fol
removal from the prison. This was an
infraction of prison rules, and for punish
ment Harkins was deprived of one years
credits
Turnkey Jameson noticed Harkins on
September 81 with a bundle under his
jacket and walked toward him. The con-
Wet ran off through the jutemill and yard.
taking circular course. Presently he
halted until the officer reached him.
where is that parcel you had :" asked
jameson.
II bad none." replied Harkins. But he
would offer no explanation for running
away. The package was found where
Harkins had thrown it, but still he denied
having ever had it in his possession. 1t
was carefully wrapped up in cloth and tied
so that none Of its contents could fall out
The Warden and captain of the yard
opened the package, and we're surprised
to find spread out before them several
skeleton keys, lock picks, niDpers, saws,
etc. The workmanship was excellent, and
commanded the admra ton OF the prison
officials. Two letters written in lead
pencil were found with the tools. They
were addressed TO friends outside the
walls, and. it is understood, conveyed for
hidden messages. When asked about these
interesting epstles the Warden said care
lessly he had torn them up.
The tools apparently occupied the man
who made them many spare hour for
weeks-Derhaps months-after which, it is
supposed. they were passed to Harkins.
who is not a mechanic, but was in a fair
place TO pass them outside the walls.
Who the maker is OF how he could have
ments out of crude bars of steel are cues
tons that could not be answered at the
prison.
You see." said an officer explaining
how discipline was not at fault, ''in the
machine-shOp man may make any small
tolls and escape detection for years. His
bench is Uttered with tools, bars, bits of
machinery and such like. When the
guards back is turned the prisoner picks
up whatever he wants to make in secret and
does little work on it. So the thing goes
along by alternating with prison work for
few minutes at time. AS soon as one
piece is finished il could be removed and
slowed away until the time came for send
ing it to a pal on the outside"
How could so much material be hidd en-
away in the prison for any length of time
without being discovered?" was asked.
Simply enough. These fellows never
would tell on one another, and even il it
was known to them the tools might lie in
a corner or under a machine in the iute-
mill forever before they would tell .he
guard"
There are various theories about the
reason for making burglars tools inside
the prison and sending them to friends
outside. One is that the work was done
TO get money to buy opium or morphine,
which is consumed in large quantities by
prisoners.
Another is that such cunning devices fol
obtaining entree to all manner of houses
and places are obtained only with the
greatest difficulty; and as an expert in
that class of ware could make them in
San Quentin he turned an odd penny by
his toll. In this case it would be done by
plot with companions enjoying the free
air of liberty but Itching for something to
DO in their line.
Harkins refused to give the least infor.
nation regarding the tools. He was sem
to San Quentin on October 3, 1892, to serve
term of six years for robbery commit tied
in San Francisco. For his connection
with the package he will remain in prison
for one year longer than the term of sen
tence. minus credits.