Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-09-25
OHIO YOUTH RIDES BICYCLE TO
IOWA AND FALLS INTO
CLUTCHES OF LAW.
CARRIED REVOLVER
FOR SELF PROTECTION
Friends Gene From Ohio 70 Secure
Parole and Permit Of Boys Return
20 Bedside Of Dying Methsr-Dselars
He 10 Of Good Character and Not
Guilty Of Intent 70 Commit Crime.

Des Moines. Sept. 25.-Two months
ago Thomas I. Post, of Paulding, o..
cycle. He was to have work on a
ranch upon his arrival at the western
destination. So he set out, with the
song OF the open road on his lips. And.
as he Whistled or sang, he committed
crime the gravity of which had not
impressed itself upon him. 1t remain
ed for the state OF Iowa to enlighten
him. And rude. in the mind OF Post
at least, was the method of instruc-
ton.
Today Post Is prisoner No 10S13 in
the penitentiary at Fort Madison,
Iowa. Because he followed the doc
trine Of more prominent militarists
and prepared himself for possible
trouble" Post faces two years Of penal
servitude. He carried a revolver for
protection as he pedaled his way
across the country.
Sold His Bicycle.
When he reached Cedar Rapids.
Post decided to give up the one-sided
fight against Iowa's muddy roads by
selling his bicycle and completing his
journey by train. He offered his ma
chine for $3.50 to a dealer in second
hand goods.
The price asked was so small that
the proprietor Immediately became
professionally suspicious. He sneaked
into back room and called the po-
lice. Post was arrested. When he
was searched the revolver was found.
When a policeman can charge one
whom he has made prisoner with a
state offense he considers himself a
worthy candidate for official COM
mendation. So the bicycle was for
gotten and Post was charged with the
more serious crime Of carrying con-
cealed' weapons. '
Advised to Admit Guilt.
Then a friendly policeman, the one
who arrested him. is said to have adj
vised him that the best thing to do
would be to sign true information
admitting his guilt and ask for SEN
tence Post was told that others
charged with a similar offense had
been receiving jail sentences ranging
from thirty TO ninety days Het de-
cided that the earlier he faced the
Judge for sentence the earlier he
would again be q free man.
AUly dSSlSlcu anu dCN lSSQ ny tHS
policeman. Post stood up ins: the dis
queries as to his guilt in the. afirma-
tive
Always Highly Respected.
Men who never had heard Of Post
before interested themselves IN Ms be :
1alf. They aided a Cedar Rapids
newspaper In conducting an investiga-
ton. It was learned that, in the forty
one years Of his life, Posts worst habit
had bsen the moderate consumption Of
tobacco. He never had run athwart
the law, never had been arrested, al
ways had been a hard worker and
good provider for his family. He was
religious. II anything, to an extreme.
His family vas hish1;- respected in
Paulding and citizens of that place
were shocked to hear of his predica-
ment.
Just now his mother lies danger
ously i'll, and wondering why her son
does not come back to her from North
Dakota. whittier she was permitted to
believe ne had gone. Thursday
statement swearing to Posts good
character and clean living and signed
by two Judges, two bank presidents,
the county attorney, the sheriff, the
mayor and the marshal of Pauldins
was filed with the board of parole and
those who have gone to Posts rescue
asked for clemency.
Board Promises Only Delay.
The board advised the petitioners
that they would nave To wait until
such a time as that body would meet
at Fort Madison. which probably
would be late October. 1t was neces-
sary, the board members said. to in
tefview Post himself as to his past
life.
Hoping to gain favorable action IN
time to send Post home before death
overtakes shis mother. the petitioners
sent their representatives yesterday to
see Governor Clarke-and they were
referred back to the board of parole.
The governor was quick to admit
that the data furnished him tended to
show that Post may be entitled to
to the board "for Investigation and
recommendation at as early date as
YOU may deem consistent with your
duties and as the circumstances of the
case may seem to warrant"
The long ball Of red tape has been
unrolled and Posts destiny of tf,e next
two years now depends wholly upon
the condition of the hearts of members
Of the board Of parole.
Citizens Of Paulding, o.. who have
testified as to Posts "irreproachabls
character" are:
John s. Shook, judge Of the court Of
common pleas: John H. Finley judge
Of the probate court; 8. w. Ennis,
prosecuting attorney Of Paulding
county; B. f. Zuber. sheriff Of Pauld-
INF county: ]. c. Armstrong. mayor Of
PsulAing: H. A. Belts. marshal of
Paulding; J. A. Mohr, president of the
Paulding National bank: A. r. Geyn,
president Of Farmers Banking Com
pany.
Post was sentenced by Judge, Milo
p. Smith. The petition for clemency
presented to the governor and the
board Of paroleIs supported by writ
ten recommendations from Judge
smith, County Attorney Guy P. Lin
Vile Of Linn county: Chief Of Police
8. 3. Burgin OF Cedar Rapids, and
Sheriff John Taylor Of Linn county.
III Of whom were instrumental in one
way or another in Post being sent to
prison
FOUND GUILTY OF INCEST.