The Mena weekly star., 1913-07-17
YATES STANDRIDGE
 A CHAINED WOLF
Defiance of Man-Madc Law the Creed of This Untamed Noun taineer-Came Near Releasing
 Himself in Oklahoma.

Little Rock, July 11.-A chained wolf was Yates Standridge, mur- derer, "52-year-man" and despera- do, when he was taken, heavily manacled, to Little Rock police headquarters yesterday morning. There his Bertillon measurements were taken by Detectives Burl Ro- tenbery and Jones, and he was ''mugged' in anticipation of the next time he escapes from the peni- tentiary.
 Standridge is an enigma to the officers. While he was being ques- toned at police headquarters, he maintained a sullen silence for a large part of the time. Then sud- dnely he would answer pleasantly some question to which the of ficers expected no reply.
 His long imprisonment has ap- parently had no effect on his spirit. His constant attitude is that of de- fiance.
 I'll answer what questions 1 please. What are you going to do about it?" That was the attitude the convict maintained throughout his interview with the officers yes terday.
 While he has little education, this untamed Arkansas mOuntaineer possesses considerable native intel ligence and a keen sense of humor.
 John H. Page, commissioner of mines. manufactures and agricul- ture. told a story yesterday which illustrates this unexpected trait in the desperado. Mr. Page was visit ing convict camp, where he met Standridge.
 Well, Yates" said Mr. Page. 'how are you getting along?"
 I'm doin' right well, Mr. Page" was the reply. Come r weeks from now and I'll only have 5l years to serve accOrdin' to my reck- onin,'
 Standridee was taken to the state farm at Cummins today, and the officers at the Little Rock peni- tentiary heaVed long sighs of relief when he was gone.
 For if was impossible to feel safe with this human wolf around, no matter how heavily he is chained
 Nearly Escaped in Oklahoma.
 Fifteen minutes more and Stand ridge would have again been a free man, but the timely arrival of Capt. Lem Smith at the McAl@ter jail prevented.
 Standridge was arrested near Eu- faula, and Capt. Smith was sent by the penitentiary authorities after him. The escaped convict was turned over to the messenger, and having several hours to wait be- tween trains at McAlester, Capt. Smith thought it would be safer to put Standridge in jail until train time.
 Capt. Smith was advised by the McAlester jailer that his building was too strong for any man to break out of, so he left Standridge and went out to take a look at the town. He returned just in time to get his man, for only one course of brick in the exterior of the wall of the jail remained between the con- vict and liberty.
 After being placed in the jail, Standridge forced out a drain pipe and climbed up through the ceiling. He found himself still in jail there with little chance to break out He then returned to the ground floor and discovered an ice pick, with which he set to work on the WalL He had removed brick sufficient to make a hole through which his body would pass, all except the out CT course. Fifteen minutes later in the return of Capt. Smith, and Standridge would still be at large instead of back on the state farm.
 The penitentiary officials are now trying a new system on des- perate men of Standridge's class. There are twelve men in a squad. all of the kind who will make a break for liberty at the slightest opportunity. They are under guard of the best free guards. with rifle man in addition. and will not again be worked with the larger squads, for the officials do not intend to let them escape again.