Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-01-25
ARMED GUARDS
PATROL JAIL
SHERIFF TAKES NO CHANCES
SINCE ESCAPES
Meal and Exercise Privileges Are
Curtaied Since Prisoners Real
ize Conditions-Bastile Roof
Too Weak for Concrete

"I supposed that the ceiling over the
third floor was. solid concrete. l had
no idea It was constructed of such
flimsy material. 1t takes but little
work to go through it. The prisoners
here know that since the escape OF
Harry Howard and Cyril ELLINGTON last
Sunday morning by burrowing their
way through the ceiling with an or
binary spoons; we have to watch them
very closely"
These are statements made by Sheriff
White of the county Jail yesterday
when discussing the escape of the two
prisoners from the Jail last Sunday.
In place of being enclosed in walls
of steel and iron as they supposed the
Jail officials and the prisoners have
discovered that their house of "steel
and iron" is but house of cards. -
To cope with the situation and to
prevent the execution of any notions
that might enter into the minds of
the prisoners. Sheriff White, his able
and Jailor White, are losing valuable
sleep.
Conscious of Conditions
Sheriff White is plainly conscious Of
the conditions at the jail and for the
first time within his career at the Tenn
pie street institution he has had to
keep armed guards patrolling the corri-
doris supplied with a field glass in
order to prevent a similar occurrence
of Sunday. The loan of four gatling
guns and eight operators to be de-
tailed for duty on the four corners of
the roof of the Jail would be gladly
accepted by Sheriff White, should the
N. G.. G.. desire to assist the sheriff
to that extent
Eyes, we realize that this Jail is not
safe place for prisoners. That ceiling
Will have to be repaired as soon as
possible" said Sheriff White yesterday.
Architect Hudson, who planned the
Jail, was here Tuesday afternoon and
investigated the damage done last Sun
day. Hudson says the ceiling beams
are too light to carry a concrete fill
ing"
Since the escape Sheriff White has
herded his prisoners in cells. Sheriff
White has allowed his proteges to
meander about in the corridors for the
sake of exercise, but since the escape
of Howard and Edlington the prisoners
nave to eat their breakfasts through
the iron bars and for physical culture
roam about in a two-by-four room
similar to those occupied by bear
cubs at the Chutes.
The other prisoners, with the eX-
amples set them Sunday still fresh in
their minds, would not hesitate to take
advantage of the slightest opportunity
that was offered them" said Sheriff
White. II can do nothing but keep
them locked up in their cells. I GER
tainly can't be chasing escapes all the
time"
Sheriff White wants his domicile re-
paired at once. This brings the situa-
ton down to one similar in details
several years ago in this city Time
after time prisoners would escape by
digging their way through the roof.
Each time the authorities 'plastered''
1T up. In the course of a few weeks
another leak in the roof was discovered
and when roll call was made there was
always one more prisoner missing.
In the meantime city officials are
visiting the jail and Cooking over the
situation"