The Hartford republican., 1913-09-12
FELONS REJOICE
AS ROAD MAKERS
Forty-Five Honor Bound
Not to Try to Escape.
Warden Asks Public's Aid in Ex-
pertinent to Reclaim Men Con-
victed Of Crime.

/ five prisoners from Joliet penitenti-
airy began life anew.
| In the words of Warden Allen, a
new deal in the penoi ogy of the
state was started. From the mo-
ment the special car containing the
conyicts left the walled enclosure of
! the prison for the camp the sun Of
a better day was rising. When the
camp, eight miles from Dixon, was
, reached at noon the men leaped to
the ground wholly different in men
tail perspective, in spirit and ambi
tion than they had been before.
One convict had sat up all night
nervously awaiting the hour of
) o'clock when the warden summon
ed the squad to discard prison garb
and assume ordinary citizens attire.
Murderers, forgers, Back Hand OPP
orators, hold-up men, Hug-uglies,
plain thieves, extraordinary thieves
and burglars were in the lot.
Once at Camp Hope, name Sc
lected by Warden Allen, the con-
victs lost the prison paFlor and
were like a lot of youngsters on a
holiday camping-out jaunt. They
unloaded luggage. grubbed the main
street running between the rows of
tents, put up kitchen stoves and in
every way possible made prepara-
tions for the work ahead.
The slogan was, as several prison
ers forcibly expressed 1t, I'VE are
here to make good. The boys back
at Joliet are watching US; they
think if We make good here the leg
stature wiz take off the present
five-year limit and give the lifers a
chance to work on Illinois roads.
God hdlping, We shall make good"
The words were used by more
than one prisoner. On the lips of
those left in the prsion were the
same sentiments. ''Make good now
boys" was the parting injunction:
for Gods sake make good and
hdlp us all to get out into the sun
light once more"
Warden Allen. Deputy Warden
Wd'sh, Captain Keegan and Charles
Hardy, night guard, all spoke of the
farewell messages. Some Of the re-
naming prisoners were in tears.
Nearly all wished the lucky ones who
were going "fine luck"
The camp is on high ground on
the estate of William Andrus,
wealthy man. whose home is at
Grand Detour. 1t is adjacent to
windmhi which is attached to a
pump that furnishes spring water.
Groves are at the side and rear; the
field is surrounded by a wide fence.
Most of the day was devoted 10
making ready the camp. This after
noon there was some shovel and pick
labor. All this week will be utilized
in getting the prisoners accustomed
to working in the sun.
By next Monday the training per-
iod will have ended and actual road
making will begin under the driec-
ion of NJ. tF. Harvey. road coihmis-
sioner of Grand Detour township,
who twenty years ago was a deputy
in Joliet prison in the Altgrd
regime. Harvey knows convicts
and is believed to be the right man
to head the squad He says it will
take sixty days 10 leyj down the
big hill which Is to be the object OF
u tack and to make new road TO
connect with the old.
All of Lee and Ogle counties were
interested in his experiment, and
HUNDREDS of visitors were at camp.
The special car was met at Dixon by
Mayor William B. Brinton, Repre-
sentative John p. Devine. Henry and
George Dixon, attorneys: Henry
Kenneth, Rev. A. b. Whitcomb, II.
II. Heinze and William Tague. Most
of this delegation and scores of
others went to the camp to give
whatever assistance they could.
Rev. Mr.. Whitcomb, an Episcopal
clergyman, was asked by some OF
the prisoners to conduct Sunday af-
ternoon services at Camp Hope, and
he gladly acquiesced.
81 haven't the slightest doubt that
the experiment will succeed" said
Warden Allen after the camp was
put in order. These men arepick-
ed men and are anxious to make
good; If one got away all the others
would rush after him and capture
him If they could. They are fright
ened lest one of the forty-five does |
make such a break. They real ize
what this means, not only to them,
but TO the men ileft behind at Joliet |
and to the prisoners at Pontiac and !
Chester.
II hope with all my heart the |
plan goes through. If it does better