The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-09-30
.H0ARDS IN PRISON
Murderer Saves $500 While
Serving Time in Kansas.
Entered Penitentiary PenniIess Six.
teen Years Ago-Saves Several
Lives and State Buildings and
Is Proclaimed a Hero.

Leavenworth, KAMA convict who
entered nearly sixteen years ago, pen
niless, has just left the Kansas pris-
on with fortune Of $500, $500 of
which was earned while behind prison
bars, observing the discipline in every
way.
The money allowance made to con-
victs In Kansas is two cents a day, or
$l64.25 for Is years, so that no such
sum as Phillip Killion took with him
from the Office OF the Kansas prison
warden could have been accumulated
except by outside effort.
From another point Killion leaves
the institution a hero, while the en-
tered 1t murderer. He goes out to
a farm and prosperity with as good
record as ever a man made behind
the bars. The secret of his wealth Is
that he inherited $1,100 while in
prison, and won $4,000 in guessing
contest nine years ago. The money
was invested for him and added a rea-
sonable amount by interest.
In 1892 Killton, then a young farm
er'of Wellington. Kan, shot and killed
a town marshal with whom he had
been very friendly. Killion was in
toxicated and quarrelsome, and the in
reference of the officer caused him to
lose self-control. He was convicted of
murder In the second degree and SEN
fenced to serve Is years.
fpw vaors offor ho uoc onnfpaI
he discovered a fire in one of the
prison factories. Without cutlery he
risked his life and, unknown to any
one except few guards, extinguished
the blaze. The warden of the prison,
on leaving, gave him letter which
vouched for the fact that Killon's
bravery had saved the state 100000
and probably some lives.
A few years later Killion had Just
reached the top of the coal mine when
fire alarm sounded. He volunteered
to re-descend and bring out the i'm
prisoned convicts. This he did at
great personal risk. When the last
man had left Killion returned to the
runs, entered the workings and did
much to save the mine from destrue-
ton.
A Communication of his sentence was
asked, but sentiment was still strong
~ against him in the town from which
he had been sent to prison, and the
effort to free him failed.
He had, however, ingratiated him
self with the authorities of the prison.
and life was made as easy for him as
possible. He was one of the few men
who never had to be driven to work.
Not once in Is years was he known
to break the least of the rules. Final
ly he was given, an opportunity to
study and he improved 1t.
About that time, in 1900, Kansas
City began the rebuilding of a conven-
ton hall that had been destroyed by
fire. One of the schemes for raising
funds rapidly was guessing contest,
for which capital prize OF $4,000
and several others ranging from
$4,000 down were offered. Killion in
vested SIS Of his prison savings in
tickets and sent in 30 guesses. He
won the second prize of $4,000.
A short time afterward distant
relative left him SLIGO. He gained
considerable fame as "the wealthy
convict" Lawyers swarmed to him
with offers. Others suggested that he
would get an absolute pardon for
$1,000. Others asked from $500 to
$500 to get him out of prison. Killion
saw the humor of the situation and
offered $50 down and $500 upon re-
lease. There was noticeable falling
of in his mail and list of callers.
Killion continued his prison duties
cheerfully, and in 1908 the prison
pardon board finally took up his case
anew on the recommendation of the
warden. A parole was decreed to take
effect this month, and Kill1on has
been released with his fortune, to be-
gin life on again.