The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-31
KANSAS NEWS.
Convict Identified After 1S
Years by Sizs-Of His Ear.
How Mr.. McClaughry Trapped
George Jones.
BERTILLON SYSTEM.
Prisoner Denied That He Had
Been There Before.
Comparison Of Record. Showed
Truth of the Matter.

Leavenworth, May 31.-A rather pc
culiar case, the like Of which occasion
ally comes to the attention of NJ. w.
McClaughry. record clerk of the federal
penitentiary, is that of George Jones,
formerly private of company L, Twen-
tieth infantry. He was received at the
penitentiary April rs, 1904. After look
ing over his records the Bertinon clerk
found that the prisoner had been in the
penitentiary thirteen years despite the
prisoners assertion to the contrary.
Jones is known to be a bad character
and is still suspected OF having had a
hand in many jobs throughout the
country.
When he was here before Jones was
known as Albert L. Winters He en-
listed in the army at Des Moines, Iowa,
on August IS, 1900, under the name Of
George Jones and was assigned to the
Twentieth infantry. While TINS fegl-
ment was in the Philippines he deserted
and was soon captured and sentenced
by a general court-rnartial to five years
imprisonment to be served in the Al
catraz prison on Alcatraz island, Cal
Jones had served there but a short
while when he attempted to escape by
assaulting the guard, but was unsuc-
cessful. While trying to get away he
nearly killed the guard and after the
expiration of his term of Imprisonment
he was tried for assault with intent to
kill and for this crime he was SEN
fenced to ten years in the federal
prison at this post.
when Jones alias Winters was serV-
ang a term at the prison thirteen years
ago he was sent UP for three years for
assertion and it is probable that dur
Eng the time he has been away he
served sentence in several other
prispns.
When Jones was brought from the
island he was accompanied by two
other prisoners. A short while ago
they were taken to the room where M.
w McClaughry measures all the pr1s-
oners brought to the penitentiary by
the BertillOn system.
After he measured him, Mr.. NC
ClauRhry asked Jones the question he
usually asks all the prisoners; whether
he had been in this or any other pen1-
Tertiary before. Jones said that ne
had never been at this penitentiary be-
fore. but the record clerk did not be-
ieve him and Immediately looked
through his files to find number thai
correspOnded to Jones' measurements
He then asked Jones If he had ever
been in the penitentiary before under
the name Of Winters and when ne saw
him start with surprise, the record clerF
knew then positively that Jones was
the same man. BY clever questioning
he. managed to get Jones, alias Winters
to confess that ne was here before tOl
a three years sentence.
When Winters was first sent 10 TINS
penitentfary ne was dishOnorably dis
charged from the army and twill prob
ably go hard with him if the govern
ment decides to institute proceeding
against him. The remarkable tact aDou
This case is that the measurements ta
ken thirteen years ago were not take1
bv Mr.. McClaughry and upon compar
ing the records of measurements mace
thirteen years ago and those mace {
Few davs ago It shows that the compaf
fson is nearly exact. Only a Sigh
change is noticed and of all one is ex
act the measurement of the ear, which
the Bertillon experts rely on in beint
exact as it is said that the ear neve
enIarges after q. certain period.