The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-13
AN INCIDENT AT ALCATRAZ
EF'ron the Washington start


Tn reading, a few days ago, of the es-
cape of four longtime prisoners from
Alcatraz Island, the military prison IN the
harbor of San Francisco" said an ex-sol-
der of the regular army who now lives
in Washington, Il was pretty forcibly re-
minded Of an experience I once had on
AIcatraz with a prisoner-of the only time
In my Iife in fact. when I ever dropped
under the gun: on which occasion found
out that being under the gun Is neither eA-
hiIarating nor entertaining -
II was soldering as a buck private with
one of the two artillery batteries stationed
IN AJcatraz Island which is 4 seven-acre
rock right in the middle OF Frisco hSr-
nor and Of A most forbiddinx aspect
Some Of the guard posts We're compare
on guard in the best shape as to his equip
Tnents and general appearance was given
the privilege Of picking out these snaps,
instead of being compelled to walk post
two hours on and four off during. his
twenty-four-h0u period of guard duty
One of the best of these snap tricks was
at the Alca traz dock with pistol strap
ped around his waist, when the govern
several 7ours q day The only other bit
OF work that the man on this duty had to
ing awaken the convict cook who pre-
pared the prisoners meals. accompany
him to the prison kitchen-a gloomy room
below the prison. against which the wat
ers of the Pacific storm the year round
breakfast was prepared rms WASH sucn
d bad job. for the convict cook always
DFADATa0
breakfast, If he liked him. I used to cap
fure that guard trick every time 4 mount
ed guard, and after few months got
to know the convict cook pretty well.
This fellow was Arizona desperate
with a record, named Caldwell. He had
enlisted in a cavalry outfit in Arizona,
stabbed a trooper against whom re form
ed a grudge, jumped the layout, been
captured and given a twelve-year bit on
Afcatraz to do. He had done four years
of the stretch when nrst woke hIm up
and conducted him to kitchen Caldwell
WAS z.
done that work for innumerabIe camping
outfits before enlisting, and they per-
rnitted him to do that work with the ball
ana chain to hamper him When I first
took the snap trick that required me to
accompany Caldwell to the prison kitchen
the sergeant of the guard warned me
that I'd better keep a weather eye on
the man: that he was real hard one,
and that it would be the part of wisdom
to keep the flap of my pistol holster I'M
buttoned all the time was with him. and
also to keep out of the range of the
..One clammy, foggy morning I reused
Caldwell out OF his cell with unusual an
battery mess the evening before by being
late for it, so that I was hungry and in
steak and potatoes ana coffee- Caldwell
set to work getting the meal for me be-
breakfast, and when he set it before me
I sat down at the wooden table raven
ously. hunger making me forget al about
my job Of keeping eye on a prisoner
known. to be desperate. was eating
away. while Caldwell clomped around
the kitchen, dragging the heavy ball after
him, when suddenly I felt a sharp tug at
the holster strapped on my right side.
late. Caldwell, with a queer. expression IN
his eyes. had my gun on q dead line with
.Me2 Oh, sat right down again and
looked at Caldwell. What else was there
Wen. son. said he to me, never taking
that gun OF my head for an instant, how
!. Like one who formerly vas said I.
guiping- WHAT'S the gag, CALDWELL,
~ going, 20 do YOU said Caldwell.
:. That SOP said 1 What have I been
said Caldwell, doggediy, and you're all
Now. / didn't feel a bit gay. as you
may imagine, but | laughed whole lot,
! say. If You put my light out I said
to him. and the officer Of the day find out
be court-martialed and probably bob
tailed
martialed seemed to tickle Caldwell. for
he grinned sardonically.
: Don't you get gay or clipper with
me, Ombrey, he said, however, in a tone
that wasn't a laughing matter at all The
point with me is that I don't intend to
my chance TO pass the whole thing IN.
but before I go might just as well take
give you ten minutes to square yourself
with what's on the other side Of the big
divide. replied Caldwell. and then wei re
going to pass over that way together
stOh. well. those weren't a happy ten
minutes. could feel my hair creeping
beneath my forage cap. bur from the
looks of Caldwell I didn't reckon there
was much use asking him to give me a
show for my white alley, and 50 spent
the ten minutes in thinking it over and
wondering why I hadn't been real good
when had the chance. SO that I'd never
have found myself in a bucks uniform in
the American army. when suddenly Cald- J
well, after the long pause. dropped The