Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-02-21
SLIPPERY MAN
EXTRAD|TED ON
ANCIENT CRIME

Martin Leskosky has never been
touted as handcuff king; moreover
he never attempted to effect a SEN
sational escape from a straightjacket
while suspended from a rope high in
the air for the benefit of an audience,
but Martin Leskosky Is some little
gem at squeezing out of tight holes.
especially when his personal liberty is
at stake.
If you have any doubts as to the
ability Of Leskoslly to effect escapes
that would put the great Houdim
TO shame, there are two Officials from
Carbon county, Pennsylvania, who
will testify that ne IS the last word at
squeezing through keyholes. under
doors. between concrete walls and the
like.
Leskosky, until 4 few days ago a
peaceful citizen OF Jerome. will be
taken back to Pennsylvania to pay 4
death penalty for murder-that is, he
will be taken back if the officers are
lucky. The officers themselves are
not sure that he will make the entire
trip because Leskosky has disagree
able habit of Ipsetting all such plans.
Anyway they hope he VIII make the
trip without further demonstration Of
his abilities as a handcuff king, etc.
According to the papers laid before
Governor Thomas E. Campbell yes
terday from Carbon county, LekOsky
was convicted on a murder charge
July 20, 1903. While awaiting sem
tence. he determined that the atmos-
phere in the cell where he was be-
Ing detained was detrimental to his
health, SO he took his departure
without duly notifying the officers.
OF course. such a thing was not in
keeping with the established rule and
contrary to the expectations of the
officers. 1t was therefore decided to
warn the man to return. but he failed
to comply with the order.
FOR six years the man had his free
dom. but was finally apprehended at
Butte Montana, in February 1909 He
was Immediately returned to Carbon
county. Soon after his arrival he
was sentenced to be hung. His at
torneys Immediately took an appeal
to the supreme court and while a de-
cision was being awaited, the prison.
er once more became uneasy.
Of course the county officials had
anticipated further attempts at es-
cape by Leskosky, and accordingly,
had taken every precautiOn to guard
against a Teoccurence of the first de
livery, They had not only locked him
securely in a cell, but had placed him
on the third floor of the jail
But one morning the officers awokc
TO find that their prisoner had again
disobeyed the jail rules and walked
out without permission of the Of
ficials. In so doing however, he was
forced to file the lock of his cell door.
file a steel bar over a window at the
end Of the corridor. descend to .the
ground via 4 water pipe and fin&lly
file through the outer Jail yard door
lock.
That was in 1909. Of course. Of
ficers all over the country have been
on the lookout for the man, and a
few days ago. Deputy Sheriff Fred
Hawkins Of Jerome took a man into
custody who answered the descrip-
ton. He was Immediately taken to
Prescott to await the arrival of Of
ficers from Pennsylvania.
They arrived yesterday and an
nounced that the man being detained
at Prescott was the man wanted
Sheriff Daniel Thomas of Carbon
county made the trip to Arizona, ac-
cOmpanIed by c. T. Setter district
attorney. Extradition papers werc
issued by Governor Thomas F. Camp
bell at the state house late yesterday
ar-ernOon. and the two officers started