Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-24
Chicago Banker Succumbs
Today Of Heart Disease;
Had Been Under Care Of
Physician Since Release.
HEALTH UNDERMINED
BY IMPRISONMENT
Long Automobile Ride Fol
lowing Excitement Of Re
lease Also Thought to Aid
In fastening End.

Chicago Oct, 23.--John r., Walsh.
owner, released last week from the
Leayenworth federal penitentiary. died
today Of heart disease Mr.. Walsh had
been in bed most OF the time since his
arrival here from Leavenworth, Oct.
Is. He had been attended constantly
by physicians. Intermittent reports
of Mr., Walsh's failing health during his
incarceration had been denied at the
penitentiary.: On his release, it was
plain that he had aged and he gave
up plans for resumption of his posi-
tion as financial leader and took to
his bed.
Prison Warden Not Surprised.
Leavenworth, Kan, Oct, 23-When
news of the sudden death of John r.
Walsh was conveyed to Major r. Nc
Claughery, warden OF the federal
penitentlary here this morning, he
said:
5"I am not surprised. | was afraid
during his stay here that he would {
never leave the prison alive Particu.
larly on the day Of his parole, was
alarmed for him. His condition had
become weakened and the excitement
him" ts+ lt ssSss'
When Walsh was released he insis-
ted on making the twenty-six mile
trip to Kansas City in an automobile.
His son, Richard Walsh, who had come
from Chicago to attend his father, pro- \
tested but the aged man insisted that
he was able to stand the journey.
When he arrived at Kansas City to
kro ri a troin Pa Chioa WnIQh n
plainly showed the effects Of the trip.
He remained cheerful. however, and
insisted that he was all right.
Father Is feeling fine" said the
younger man when reporters approach-
ed him, .1even the long motor ride did
not tire him expect him to be back
at work In q few days,
The ex.banker smilingly nodded as
sent to what his son had said. He
declined to make statement Walsh
had served one year, eight months and
twenty-six days of his five year SEN
tence. He appeared personally before
the parole board on Sept. 26, last, 70
present his petition for release.
Mr.. Walsh was "A years old.
Death came just nine days after
his release on parole from the
federal penitentiary where he had
served one year, eight months and
twenty.six days OF Ave years sen
tence on charge of rnisappropriatine
other enterprises.
Health Failed When Imprisoned.
Mr. Walsh's health failed soon after
his entrance to the prison. An imme
date movement to obtain his release
on parole was begun by members Of
his family, Mrs. Mary L. Walsh. and his
two sons Richard w. and John w
Walsh. At that time, the examining
physician at the penitentiary said Mr.
Walsh was suffering with hardening
Of the arteries.
After his release. Mr. Walsh was
thought to have been still further
weakened by long, cold automobile
ride from the prison to Kansas City.
When he arrived home on the morn
ing OF Oct. Is, Mr.. Walsh was so Ill
and weak that he went to bed at once.
and remained there until his death.
Members of the family announced,
after the former banker had reached
home. that he had given up all hopes
OF regaining his lost position among
the leaders OF finance, and said that he
would spend his remaining days at
home. Mr.. Walsh's son, Richard, to
whom he was paroled, became his
nominal employer. in accordance with
the government provision that the
''first friend" OF q paroled man must
guarantee employment.
All Family Present At Death.
The former banker was surrounded
by all the members OF his family when
he died. He was stricken with sink
Ing spell about noon yesterday. Ply
sicians remained with him all night but
he never regained consciousness.
When day broke today. 1t was an.
nounced by the physician that he
could not recover.
Death was caused by myocarditis
an Inflammation OF the heart muscles
said DIR. Jos. H. Lowe, who attended
him. when Mr.. Walsh returned
from the penitentiary his legs and
muscles were swollen badly by the
disease.
I'VE could not prevail upon him to
remain In bed day times though until
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