The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-01-20
WALSH BEARS
Up WELL IN
PRISON CELL
Prisoner inquiries About Rules of Con-
duct-Eats Hearty Meal of Prison
Fare Despite Gloomy Surroundings
is Photographed by Fellow Convict
TO Work in Library.

LIZA G4N w OINIf, haS., Jan. 10
On little iron cot in a cell of the
federal prison here, John r. Walsh
who today began serving a five year
sentence for misapplying funds of the
Chicago National bank, spent his first
night in the penitentiary.
If the change from a luxurious room
In his Calumet avenue mansion in
Chicago to a small barred space work
ca hardship with the prisoner he
did not show it. He has accepted his
new situation with smiling good grace
He is outspoken in his approval of the
kindly manner in which he has been
treated since his arrival at noon today
Behind his grave front there is be.
lleved to be secret belief in his own
mind that he never will live out his
sentence. Tonight it became known
that, while Walsh was talking in
private with an old friend-a man.,
like himself with white hair, whom he
has known for half a century-he re-
marked, sadly
Il don't believe l ever shall live out
my sentence if l am not pardoned."
The new surroundings did not make
Walsh-who is known as Convict
6861"-nervous. He sat calmly in his
cell tonight and read until the big
gong sounded, lights OUT at O'Clock.
Then he disrobed and retired When
q guard passed the cell a. few minutes
later, the eX-banker was sleeping
peacefully.
When the convicted. banker. was
shown his cell, he asked several ques-
tons about rules governing his incar.
ceration.
Just tell me what to do and I will
do it," he said eff / violate any rules
1 assure you it will be through ignor.
arce only"
Little attempt was made today to
teach the new prisoner the rules.
Prison officials thought it best not to
burden his mind with little details of
prison life until he had become
thoroughly rested from the trip. Many
persons who saw the convicted finan-
cier enter the prison today with
sprightly step and smiling countence,
predicted that relapse would follow
when he was settled inside the walls
1t was said that Walsh was strain
| Ing every effort to make himself APP
/ pear cheerful before his friends Few
| men, even two score years younger
| tEan this gray haired convict, have
walked so calmly into prison as did he
Warden R. w. McClaughry, an old
| those who feared the prisoner might
| suffer a relapse. After talking with
him tonight, he said:
walsh is bearing up well. I am
surprised at the vitality he shows.
dc not predict a relapse. He probably
will be able to take up some regular
employment in a few days.
! DR.. L. Blake Baldwin, the prisoner
SON law, has decided to remain un-
| til tomorrow. He will have con-
| ference with DR.. A. F. YOhe, prison
| physician, and tell him the exact phys
| ical condition of the aged eX-banker.
Prisoner Has Good Appetite.
One thing that has given confidence
! 20 the friends of the prisoner is his ap-
petite He took his first meal in prison
tC day 1t consisted of warm biscuits,
fried potatoes, onions and plain coffee.
Walsh ate heartily.
Within 20 minutes after the warden
once ndQ Deen TedcHeu, pIellIlllIletis
arrangements for Walsh's beginning
his sentence had been made. He shook
hands with his son, John w. Walch,
his son-in-laW. DR.. l.. Blake Baldwin;
mis- attorney, Z. c.. Ritzher and United
States Marshals Hoy and Middleton,
who accompanied him.
Good bye he said firmly. and then
turned to the warden as a signal that
he was ready to begin his sentence.
His photograph was taken, another
convict acting as photographer The
picture showed Walsh in the street
clothes in which he arrived. In few
days after he has recovered from the
fatigue and excitement attending his
trip from Chicago, a second photo
graph will he taken.
AS he is in poor health, Walsh was
sent to the hospital for observation
He will remain there for seVerai
days, until he is fully recovered, When,
if he is able to work, he will be as
signed to duty in the prison library
His duties in the library VIII De
those of special clerk to the librarian,
Chaplain Frank J. Leavitt, in the
work of overhauling and recatalogu-
1