Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-17
WALSHP AR.OLED
AFTER SERVING
TWENTY MONTHS.
Order Received This Morn
ing at Fort Leavenworth
Discharging Former Chi
cago Banker From Prison.
PLANS TO RETURN
TO HIS HOME TODAY

Petition For Parole Was
Presented By Walsh After
President Had Turned
Down Application.
Fl. Leavenworth, Kas., Oct. IL
An order from Washington paroling
John r. Walsh, the former Chicago
banker and railway president, was re-
ceived at the federal prison here this
morning. The prisoner at once began
preparations for the start home.
Mr.. Walsh up to the time of his pa
role, had served one year, eight
months and twenty-six days OF his
five years sentence.
The order Of parole arrived from
Washington this morning When told
that he was to be released, the aged
prisoner plainly showed his pleasure,
Later, it was announced the aged for
mer bankers son would arrive from
Chicago during the day and that the
start for home probably would be
made late this afternoon
Mr.. Walsh went before the parole
board here on September rs last, and
presented his petition for release.
The board at the same session heard
the petitions of a dozen other former
bankers, besides those Of fifty priso-
ners serving sentences for various
crimes
Walsh Cheerful In Prison.
President Ladow and the other
members OF the board made their Sc
cret conclusions in the cases a few
days later. On Sept. 80 Mr.. Ladow
went east to submit his report to Mr..
Wickersham He would divulge none
OF the boards proceedings except to
say that the recommendation OF
Walsh was exactly the same as that
accorded to the others.
Walsh went back to work at his
desk in the newspaper clipping bureau.
1t was stated that Walsh had i'm
proved In spirits from the time he
knew definitely that he was going to
have an opportunity to present his
petition. This spirit he maintained till
till his release today.
Despite his age, he performed his
prison duties to the last in a cheerful
mood.
The last obstacle to the granting Of
the parole was removed in August,
when the United States district attor-
ney at Chicago requested that the re.
naming indictments against the aged
banker be dismissed.
Walsh's son, Richard Walsh, was
expected to arrive at the prison before
noon. He left Chicago on the Santa Fe
railroad last night.
Prisoner is Told News.
When the prisoner was notified that
parole had been granted he was
overwhelmed He had been anxiously
awaiting the arrival of a favorable
reply. He confidently expected that it
would arrive by Thursday at the
latest. When it failed to arrive yester-
day noon a few hours after he had ex-
pected it, he passively gave up all
hope.
favorable, he; said, and seemed
greatly depressed.
The order to parole was received by
telegraph from Attorney General
Wickersham. Walsh was at once sum-
moned into Warden McClaugherry's
office and told of the favorable find
ing. He was ogerjoyed, and although
he said little, the smile that wreathed
his face told plainly Of his great hap
piness.
No arrangement had been made to
provide clothing for the paroled man.
It is thought that his son Is bringing
It. In case he fails to do this, the
former banker probably will leave
here wearing regulation suit of
prison clothing as is customary IN
all cases Of prisoners quitting the in
stitution.
Family Joyful Over News.
Chicago, Oct, 14.-Relatives of John
r. Walsh here were almost overcome
at the final news of the bankers
parole. They had received SO many
previous reports from unreliable
sources that when the news came, they
were unprepared to believe it.
The bankers son, Richard Walsh,
for whose arrival, it was said the
former banker would wait, was oct of
reach in one of the suburbs. At his
home, the news was received joyously
and immediate steps taken to find him
and deliver the news. 1t was said he
would leave for Leavenworth as soon
as he could be found.
At the bankers home, where he is
awaited by his wife, the news was re-
ceived with equal joy.
Chronology Of Walsh Case.
Dec. 16, 19O5.-The Chicago Ma
tional bank, Of which Walsh was pres
ident, closed.
Jan. 8, 1907.--A special federal
grand jury began to Investigate
Walsh's connection with the failure
of the bank.
Jan. Is, 19O7.--Walsh indicted by
the federal grand, jury on 1872 counts
charging him with misconduct in man
q uino the finances of the hank