The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-13
MEMBER OF LAKE
SHORE GANG MUST.
SERVE SENTENCE

Jackson Mich. May i3-After two
years OF freedom, during which he tried
20 atone for past misdeeds by hard work
and decent living, John Allison member
OF the notorious Lake Shore gang. who
was sentenced to IL years In prison for
participating In the Richland. Mich.. bank
robbery and escaped I'm 1904. is back in
the Jackson penitentiary To serve out
his remaining IL years, unless he secures
a parole, or pardon, because OF his good
record during the two years OF his free
dom.
The Lake Shore gang spread terror
throughout southern Michigan and north
ern Ohio and Indiana In 1898 by their
robberies.
In 1899, Allison, with three members OF
the gang, Peverett, Slater and Spellman,
was captured and convicted of robbing
the Riohland bank. Allison was given
IL years sentence and with the others
sent to the prison here. f. Peverett was
transferred for unruly conduct TO the
northern prison at Marquette. but in 1904
the other three men were still IN the
prison. While repairs We're being made In
the institution they succeeded in escap-
ing
Allison made his way to Illinois. for
sock his former ways. took a new name
and went 20 work as a mechanic He
met Mrs. Wagner. a widow with four
children, fell in love with her and mar
ried her without disclosing his past hfe
and the shadow which hung over him, of
the possibility OF being returned TO
prison. Months later. just before the
birth OF their baby. he told the story
20 his wife who said they would try
10 forget II and live down the old lffe
However. just before last Christmas. the
machanic at work in the plow works at
Moline, H.. was recognized as the
escaped convict, Allsan, and was ar
a han
faithful and we'll liked by his fellows
He was Immediately returned TO the
prison here Allison's fellow workmen in
the plow works raised a modest purse
for Mrs. Allison. and she came TO this
city. where she might be near her hus-
band and could work for his release
Twice a month. on visiting days. she has
brief talk with him. and he fondles
the baby.
Alhsons blameless life after his escape
and his manifest effort TO forsake en-
tirely his former companions and habits,
has aroused much sympathy for him,
and he seems to be in a fair way TO Sc
cure the longed-for parole.
Fortified by long petition for his re-
lease, signed by his former associates in
Moline. Allison will next week make
formal application TO the pardon board
for clemency. Gov. r. NJ. Warner who
was impressed with Anison's apparently
lieves he should be given some relief from
the longI term OF Imprisonment which he
faces. One governor says that IL the
pardon board, after investigation, agrees,
he can commute alhson's sentence so
that ne will already have served half OF
II. enabling him TO be released on parole.
under the law, and then give him per-
mission TO leave the state, so that he
can return 10 Moline and resume his
work. His employers have stated that
they will re-employ him.
by working overtime in the prison
hammer shop, Allison is able to earn
from SO TO 800 per month. which Is
given TO his wife for her support.
A singlar fate has seemed TO pursue
the Lake Shore gang since their convic-
tion OF the Richland bank robbery.
Peverett chopped of his hand to avoid
working at the Marquette prison and
was sent to the asylum for criminal in
sane at Ionia. He escaped last fall, but
was re-arrested in Garrett, Ind, only
last week. and returned to the asylum.
Slater was shot and killed few months
ago, while committing burglary in
Ohio. Spellman has never been located
since his escape.