The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-08-06

Chicago.-A private annex to the
penitentiary at Joliet to be inhabited
solely by himself is the project Of
Louis A. Gourdain, the Chicago bank
er, recently convicted Of conducting a
lottery. Gourdain was sentenced to
serve a term Of four and half years
in the penitentiary for his crime, but
was released en- an appeal bond
through the efforts Of his friends snd
entirely against his wishes. He prom
ised the jury that convicted him that
Ire would serve his sentence, which he
regards as a debt Of honor to the gov
ernment.
Gourdain has made several attempts
70 enter Joliet, but Warden Murphy
has refused to accept him, and his
plan to build a private jail is the re-
suit
AS last resort Gourdain has gone
to Washington, to implore the United
States supreme court to compel the
United States district court IN Chi
cago to compel the prison authorities
to admit him as a prisoner for the
length OF his sentence.
Il am going to serve out my SEN
tence in Joliet one way or another
said Gourdain. vehemently, when
asked to explain his plans before leav-
ing for Washington. That's why
have packed Up all my belongings and
sent them to Joliet. If they won't
let me into the prison shall board
with the family Of one Of the guards
near the prison until | can erect my
own penitentiary,
First I am going to try to get the
United States supreme court to inter
fere and set aside Judge Grosscupls
order OF supersedeas under which my
release on bail was brought about
For that purpose | shall go to Wash
ington after establishing myself at
Joliet. shall file my petition with
the clerk Of the court and try to get
a hearing Immediately. II the order
| is Issued viii ask that | be allowed
to serve the papers personally on
/ Judge Grosscnp. Then shall get
back into Joliet If | fail to enlist
the interference of the supreme court
shall return at once and begin
building my prison.
Private Cell for Own Repentance.
~ they won't let me into a cell
in Joliet I'm going ahead with my
own prison. Through the penitentiary
/ guard with whom Lam going to board
temporarily I am now negotiating for
the lease OF vacant lot opposite the
poniteDtiary grounds. On this lot
am going to build my own peniten-
tiary, which will be just like the big
one. was confined there "a days as
a bookkeeper in the shirt-making de-
partment and know the place from
top to bottom"
Gourdain, with his enthusiasm rls-
ing, got mp from his chair and con
fronted his interviewer, his whole per
son animate with gestures.
Il have the whole thing planned oui
--all ! have to do Is to let the con
] tract for the work--competitive bids
you know, that's the way the STATE
does in buihiing a renitentiary. II
have a regular miniature Joliet. See
It'll be like this"
The lottery man stepped to the desl
and drew forth a sheet OF paper OF
which he sketched his ground plan.
First, l win have an outside wal
running clear around the inclosure.
he went on. 1T will be so feet on al
sides and built OF the same stone q
the big prison. Then there win b
! guard towers here and here-six Il
3 all--with room on top the wall 70
the guards TO pace back aud forth an
z watch me.
"Inside the outer wall I shall hav
+ my cellhouse with a courtyard run
b ming around it-therell be room 70
a flower garden here Ia one corner
= and a well, and so on. am goin
TO have my prison grounds well ker
Up. you know. Inside the cellhous
will be my cell, just the same size a
the cells in the big prison across tn
street. II will be built Of stone an
whitewashed, and will have a heav
barred iron door with the latest kin
OF prison lock.
"The cell will be furnished with IN
regulation prison furniture-an iro
e bed, hay mattress, two blankets, w
IS sheets. one pillow and slip. one pal
.e one bucket, two towels, one foot sto'
n and one water jug"
i Gourdain was again on his feet an
accompanying his talk with a maj
of gestures.
ir There's no reason why l can't ser'
Is out my sentence there just the san
a as in the big penitentiary," be rapid
continued. Il shall have 20 get son
guards three viii be enough, tn
.e will give them an eight hour watt
Il each"
AZ Looks 10 State for Guards.
m "Where will you get reliah
guards7" he was asked.
M .fl..-..s,gi.s