Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-05
WHO Is HALEY?
iCperrv 1f~hierl

The constant agitation in the papers
of the state over the case OF one Leon
ard Haley, convict at Fort Madison
penitentiary, has caused many readers
10 inquire: Who is Haley" With
out investigating Haley or his claims
for sympathy. the Register and Leader,
the Iowa City Republican and other
newspapers are c!amorins for his re-
lease and there is being organized u
sob squad" which has only hysteria
to back up its eiaim for recognition.
To begin with Haley is a life convict,
convicted OF the crime of murder, hav-
ing shot down in cold blood a Dubuque
policeman eighteen years ago while the
latter was attempting to arrest Haley
anG Robard. his tramp partner. Haley
was convicted after trial which was
as fair and judicial as can be secured.
Those who are familiar with the cir
cumstances state that Haley was, be-
yond doubt, guilty of one of the most
heinous crimes ever committed in the
state. That ne should expiate society
for that offense by being held in pris-
on.
For years Haley posed as man of
mystery Reports had it that he was
the son of easteren people, wealthy and
famous. Haley carried out the bluff.
Not until a year ago was it known
who he was and to this cay 1t is not
Of general knowledge. Haley's real
name is Leon Hardy. He was nothing
more than tough kid in Rock lslan1,
H.. and from the time he was II years
old until the present time he has spent
only a few weeks out of Jail. He has
served time in penal institutions in
three states, Illinois, Nebraska and
Iowa, and has been always quarrel
some. refractory prisoner. He has rel
atives today al Rock Island who know
ing his guilt, have for years considered
him beyond all hope Of reformation.
Haley was in the prison library al
Fort Madison. He Wisused the conf
denee placed in him to encite disorder.
to fracture the rules Of the prison, TO
aid other prisoners to secure and to se-
cure for himself, cocaine and other
drugs, to the use of which they were
addicted. When confronted with the
evidence Of the part he played. Haley
become egotistic and rebelIious. and
when taken from the library and
placed on the chair contract, he re-
fused to work. He was not placed in a
dungeon, he was not placed on bread
and water, but he was sent to the hos
pital for treatment, but he objected 20
that. The prison authorities had no
easier task. The prisoner forgot he was
prisoner. He attempted to run the
prison, he tried to excite sympathy all
over the state for his condition which
he had brought upon himself. and with
the aid of the sob sisters" brigade
poses as martyr before the world.
Haley was placed in one OF the best
cells in the Fort Madison prison. He
is being fed on the same diet that 9th
er prisoners have. He does have wire
netting before the cell door, however,
to prevent traitorous guards and fellow
prisoners to hand in the drugs and
things which he has been forbidden TO
use. He would be out of these ton1or-
row il he would promise to abide by
prison rules. His confinement is due to
his own egotistical will and not to per-
secutfon.
Haley deserves no sympathy. He for
gets that he is a prisoner. who has TAX
en- a mans life with malice and in cold
blood. His misinformed symypathisers
forget that his, relation to society is
defined by the sentence imposed and
that Haley himself car end his snH :
tary confinement by the mere agree-
ment to obey the rules of the prison
Is there any cause for surprise in the