The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-01
Federal Prison, LeayenwOrth,
Has 80 Ex- Bank officials.
More Than Any Other Peni-
Tertiary in the World.
WAS QUAY's FRIEND.
VIM. Montgomery, Pittsburg,
Oldest i'm Point of Service.
Gave the Word That Nominated
Harrison for Presidency.

Leavenworth Kan, March There
are more former national bankers in
the federal penitentiary at Leaven-
worth, Kan, than in any other prison
ON earth. The bankers colony there
contains 50 ex-bank officials. And among
these are several men who have held
high Places in the financial world and
have had millions at their command
But when the great iron doors of the
federal prison closed upon them the
power that money had given departed,
and today these men do humble tasks
and are regarded as no better than the
1rost common of their fellow prison
ers.
They wear the regulation uniform.
with numbers upon the backs of their
coats, just like the other prisoners.
their meals are served in the same
dining room and they sit at the same
tables and are given the same things
10 eat. No special favors are shown
the bankers. They are required to work
just like the most friendless of the L.
O03 convicts in the prison. =
Bankers at Desks.
Some of the bankers are employed in
clerical work; some in the machine
hops, and the electrical works. Several
are gate keepers: others are doing farm
work, and are helping out in the kitch-
en- and the dining room.
1t is said that while the bankers per-
form the work assigned them without
much protest yet they soon become
soured against the world and in SYM
pathy with their fellow prisoners. They
look upon the law, which sent them to
prison. as harsh and unjust. and re-
gard themselves as victims of unfair
discrimination of the statutes.
John r. Walsh of Chicago, known as
convict 1851, and Frank G. Biglow of
Milwaukee. convict No. All, are among
the noted prisoners in the bankers col
- r-eaTs
in the world of finance. There was a
time when they each thought and work.
ed in millions. But the unfortunate day
came when they overstepped the laws
of their country and now they are pay
ing the penalty.
Walsh Is There.
Walsh was formerly a millionaire
bank president, promoter, politician and
railroad magnate. He was received in
the penitentiary on January 10, of this
year, and goes to serve out a sentence
of five years Walsh is 70 years old.
and is in very bad health. He has been
unable to engage in any work since he
entered the federal prison. 1t is the
opinion of those who know him that he
will never leave the penftentiary alive
unless he is pardoned by the president
or released through the intervention OF
The courts.
Biglow was formerly president of the
First National bank of Milwaukee. and
it was charged that he appropriated to
his own use about $1.500O0O of the
banks funds. He pleaded guilty, was
sentenced to the penitentiary for ten
years and was received there June IL,
1905 IF he lives to serve out his SEN
tence he will be discharged February
10, 1919. He was at one time president
of the National Bankers Association
of the United States.
The oldest prisoner in point of SER
vice in the bankers colony is Justus L.
Frederick. who was formerly president
of the First National bank of Elkhart
Ind. He was received in the United
States penitentiary April 81, 1901, under
II sentence of ten years. He win be dis
Broderick was 81 years old when he
entered the prison.
His Sentence Longest.
The prisoner who has the longest
term to serve is William Montgomery
OF Pittsburg. Pa. who has been SEN
fenced for Is years. He entered the
penitentiary September q, 1909, and will
not be discharged until December "a
1913. He was once a power in finances
and politics in the state of Pennsylva-
National bank of Pittsburg, in which
the late United States Senator Matthew
Quay, was largely interested Mont
gornery was charged with misappropri-
ating nearly $1,000. 900 of the banks
funds. He is employed in the print
ing department at the big penitentiary.
Those who have charge of him say that
he is good workman and that he
faithfully performs the duties assign
ed him each day.
It is said that Montgomery had more