Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-01-26
WALSH ENTERS PRISON GAME
Ex'5ANkER GOES FROM MAN.
SION TO CELL SMILING.
Hints to Old Friends That He Does
: Not Expect to Live Out
Sentence.


little iron cot in a cell Of the federal
prison here, John R. Walsh, who be-
gan serving tive-year sentence for
misapplying the funds Of the Chicago
National bank, spent his first night
in the penitentiary.
If the change from Luxurious
room in his Calumet avenue mansion
in Chicago to small barred space
worked a hardship with the prisoner
he did not show it by his actions. He
has accepted his new situation with
smiling good grace.
He was outspoken in his approval
Of the kindly manner in which he was
treated.
The new surroundings did not make
Mr.. Walsh, who is now known as
Convict $751;" nervous. He sat calm
ly in his cell and read until the big
gong sounded flights out at 9 o'clock.
Then he disrobed and retired. When
a guard passed the cell a few min
utes later the ex-banker was Sleep
ing peacefully.
When the convicted banker was
shown his cell he asked several ques-
tons about the rules governing his
incarceration.
Live Out His Sentence?
But behind his brave front there
is believed to be secret belief in
his own mind that he will never live
out his sentence. 1t became known
that while Mr.. Walsh was talking in
private with an old friend a man like
himself, with white hair, whom he has
known for a half a century, he re-
marked sadly: II don't believe shall
ever live out my sentence if. I am
not pardoned."
Little attempt was made to teach
the new prisoner the rules, prison off,
Gals thinking it best not to burden his
mind with the details of prison life
until he had become thoroughly rested
from his trip here.
Many persons who saw the convict
ed financier enter the prison with
sprightly step and smiling counter
ance predicted relapse would follow
when he was settled inside the walls
1t was said that Mr.. Walsh was
straining every point to make him
self appear cheerful before his
friends. Few men even two score
years younger than this grey-haired
convict have walked so calmly into
prison as did he.
Warden R. w. McClaughry, an OLD
personal friend of Mr.. Walsh, was
one Of those who feared the prisoner
might suffer relapse. But, after
talking with him he said: "Mr. Walsh
is bearing up we'll. I am surprised
at the vitality he shows. I do not
predict a relapse. He will probably
be able to take up some regular en-
ployment in few days."
Has Good Appetite.
One thing that has given confidence
to the friends of the prisoner is his
good appetite. His first meal in pri-
son consisted of warm biscuits, fried
potatoes, onions and plain coffee. Mr..
Walsh ate heartily.
Immediately after Walsh's friends
departed from the prison his photo
graph was taken. Another convict
acted as photographer. The photo
graph showed Walsh in the street
clothes in which he arrived.
In few days, after he has recov-
cred from the fatigue and excitement
attending his trip from Chicago, a
second photograph will be taken. AS
he is in poor health Mr.. Walsh was
sent to the hospital for observation.
1t is said that be will be assigned
to duty in the prison library.
His duties in the library will be
those of special clerk to the librarian,
Chaplain Franz J. Leavitt, in the
work of overhauling and recataloging
the books. AS there are over 1000
volumes 10 be handled, the work
promises to be no easy job, but it is
believed that it will prove congenial
to the prisoner, who is great reader.