The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-08-14
Frank Merrill Arrested on Complain,
Sworn to by Warden Pratt
Which Charges That He
Aided Convict to Escape

State Prison, is held responsible tor
the escape of George w. Parry, the
degenerate who mysteriously left the
institution on August ], and was at
large for several days before being
captured.
A complaint accusing Merrill with
having connived at and aided and
abetted Parry to escape from the
prison was issued at noon today by
the county attorney, after the facts
had been placed before him by mem
beers of the state board of corrections
which held an investigation into the
matter.
While the board of corrections has
not given out statement OF the in
vestigation as yet, the facts la be-
fore the county attorney are that
Merrill assisted Parry to make his
escape. County Attorney !. E. Will
ley this afternoon said that they had
got sufficient evidence to show that
Merrill was guilty OF the offense
charged in the complaint.
County attorney Wiley discussed
the matter very reluctantly and would
not give out any definite information.
As to the motive which Merrill had
for assisting Parry to make a get
away, Mr.. Wiley would not talk, 9th.
er than to say that Is was
understood that there was money
matter involved.
According to the facts placed be-
fore Mr.. Wiley at conference held
this morning in his office, Parry es-
capped over the east, wall of the pris-
on yard between II and ~ O'Clock at
night.
ut appears that Parry was on the
wall with Merrill the night befoi 2,
said Mr.. Wiley IN repsonse to num-
erous questions, and from facts laid
before me, Merrill helped Parry to
place the ladder and get over the
wall The ladder used by Parry was
made of pieces of iron pipe which
Parry used in doing plumbing about
the prison.
Parry getting over the wal end
down the outside is said to have fall
en- and made noise. The escape was
made near the northeast corner which
was Merrill's station"
Lights Were On
In response to the question as to
whether or not the lights were off
Mr.. Wiley said that the lights were
on that even ng, but were turned off
Just as Parry got on the wall. Ask
ed who turned off the lights, Mr.. WI.
ley said:
NO one in the world but Merrill
knows that. The alarm system was
in good working condition on the
night of the escape. according to Mr..
Wiley.
Mr.. Wiley said that Merrill admit
ted holding the ladder for Parry
while he got over the wall. This
ladder, according to the county attor-
ney, was carried over to the south
side of the prison walls, probably 10
blind the authorities as TO the place
OF escape.
Guard Merrill told Deputy Warden
IRE that Parry WAS planning TO cs-
cape several days before the escape
occurred and Ure instructed Merrill
10 watch him closely IRE, according
10 Mr. Wiley. trusted Merrill to 40
this. Warden Pratt who swore to the
omplaint against Merrill, says that
II was noticed that Parry carried a
strange look on his face as II wor
rying several days before the escape
Merrill's Duties Changed
Merri'ls duties were changed las
June when It was found that he haC
been giving magazines and books t.
some OF the inmates OF the prison
Since that time he had charge of tn
northeast tower, near whcrc Parr
made his escape,
The result OF the official invest
cation. the facts concerning whic
will not be given out until the boar
Of corrections meets tomorrow afte'
noon
Warden Pratt, attorney General A
r Barnes, John X. Hardy, secretar
10 the governor and r. o. Leathe
wood, district attorney, held COZ
ference with Mr.. Wiley this morr
ing behind closed doors precedln
the issuance OF the complaint.
What Complaint Charges
The complaint against Merrl
charges him with having fraudulent
contrived to procure and aid and VI
unfairly permit the escape OF ParrJ
The complaint was sworn TO by A
thur Pratt warden OF the state PR
on, and Is the direct result OF the (