CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1907-09-05
I THOUGHT IT WAS EASY MONEY
BuI IT DON'T PAY"- KID" WALLACE

, the minds of men and memory soon
grows weary. Because of this news
of wallace's pardon made a sentiment
OF satisfaction rather than hate among
the townspeople. Wallace. unprotected,
walked to the depot and waited, alone
for his train. He was unknown and
because of this, along with the lapse
OF time since his crime, he was safe.
The freedman talked Interestingly
to a Daily Record man. 1t Is dificult
to talk to him. because he is extremely
deaf. and, not hearing himself talk.
his voice gets too low to be audible.
Am l glad to get out?" he said.
Why this Is the happiest time l have
ever had in my life. But it's all so
new and strange. don't know wheth-
er I'm standing on my head or feet
II can remember which way my train
will come in and that's about all.
Yes, I'm mighty glad to get out.
But had lots Of friends inside there
| that hated to leave There are men
In there who have Just as good right
to be out as I have. and who would
behave themselves Just as good as
will Their turns will come before
long now.
Il liked the prison, as prisons go,
and | thing Warden Cleghorn is the
right man in the right place. He has
strict rules. but there's no hardship
about them. and II the men live up
to the rules everything is all right.
The prison has n good system and
| everything Is kept In FIRST class order.
was just IL years old then. Train
robbery at Cripple Creek was my first
crime. was young then and thought
stealing was easy money. But It's not.
I wasn't much older. in experience at
least, when the escape came on. I've
suffered for all ever did and I'm 60
ing to live right now. 1t pays.
Nebraska is the place for me. I'm
not we'll known there. and my brother
will give me a good chance. My mother
Is dead. but my father Is living some
where. I don't know just where"
And so this plain little man. with
the mild voice. talked on. Child-like
he seemed. In his simplicity: subdued
in manner. broken In spirit Nothing
that he said would suggest a picture
OF the daring young raider who helped
rob a train in the mining region and
garnered a golden harvest Nothing
would Indicate the reckless youth who
gave onicers Of the law one Of the
longest chases ever known on the
mountain ranges. Nothing in his ways
would picture the desperate prisoner
who. knife In hand. fought his way
to freedom beyond the penitentiary
walls
He will attract no attention on the
trains. or anywhere that he may 60.
for his clothing Ia plain and simple.
His health Is not Of the best. but he
hopes outside living will benent him.
He Is making a new start In life. he
says. IT'S a little late. at the age Of
thirty. but he starts hopefully. with
a determination to do right
Frank Wallace, by his own confess
sion. is a Christian. He believes. and
gets comfort In the believing that the
man who has sinned seventy times
seven has hopes for forgiveness. He
was more lonely last night, he said,
than he had been for many years,
but he was hopeful. Just before he
shook hands for "goodby" he said:
Tell the Canon City people they
won't hear any bad OF me. I'm going
to live straight from now on. I
thought It was easy money. but It's
not"