Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-03-20
IRONTON NO, THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1919.

home OF his father at Ironton, MO-, py
United States secret service men to-
gether with detectives from st. Louis,
expressed himself yesterday as feel
ing "easier" now that he was in Gus
tody.
Through the bars of HE cell door
yesterday afternoon Davis told
News Herald reporter of his move
ments after breaking out of the city
jail. He had no fears of being re-
captured. He walked to the corner of
Fourth and Main streets, the busiest
corner in Joplin, and then walked
down Main street to Tenth, where
under the glare of an electric light he
wrote letter to his wife, telling OF
his being free and expressing his hope
of her safety.
Here are Davis own desc cription of
his movements after freeing himself
from the Jail:
"When was safe distance from
the jail, stood at the corner of
Fourth and Main street and made
complete the plans I had half formed
that afternoon, the marshal locked me
in the cell.
81 walked to Tenth street under q
street lamp, wrote to my wife at
| Fairview Farm, Ironton, that | was
free and would be back home as soon
as could get there. I mailed this
and walked to villa Heights, where I
secured about five hours sleep in an
empty house.
"It was then eight O'Clock in the
morning and quite light, but I took
courage in both hands and made my
way to clearing beside the oil rean-
cry at Turkey Greek, where cut
wood for man two days. He fed
me and gave me 80 cents.
81 made detour of the city and
arriving at the Kansas City Southern
yards, jumped freight train that
landed me at Pittsburgh, Kan.
"From there I went to Coffeyville,
and secured work as mechanic in q
| garage, where I worked for ten days.
All the while, was thinking of my
wife and baby and wondering if they
were all right. / just couldn't rest
and then made up my mind to see
them again, even If did get caught.
wrote to my wife telling her of my
intentions. bought some new cloth
ing and purchased ticket to st.
Louis. When I reached that city I
wrote to Mrs. Davis and told her to
look for me-"
"When I reached my home the
officers were there waiting for me,
my letters to my wife, no DOUBT, hav-
ing been intercepted. had just
gathered my wife and baby in my
arms when the officers stepped into
the room and arrested me. I wss
taken away Immediately, and taken
to ST. Louis where ] was held until the
Joplin police chief called for me.
"My great regret is that I did not
think of the future before I started
out on the career that got me into
this scrape. This is lesson that
shall remember all my life and ! will
plead hard for light sentence SO that
may be permitted to secure my lib
erty and work for my wife and chile
whom I have neglected in my eager
erness to make money. | am gooG
mechanic and can earn good wages a.
that trade. Why | ever listened tt
the voice of the tempter, 1 do no
, know. I am not endeavoring to make
excuses. I have done wrong; I ac
knowledge it and am willing to tak'
my medicine and when freed maxi
restitution for my wrongs"
Davis will be taken to Newton eoun
ty jail and there held until his trial a
the June term of the Federal court.
Davis was arrested three weeks ag'
by Joplin detectives after complaint
! had been registered at police head
quarter of raised one dollar bills be
ing in circulation. The work was tina
of an expert and 80 cleverly did Dsvi
] execute the deception that 1t was diff
ficut to tell at glance that the ter
t dollar bills were not genuine. With
l inks practically identical, he worke
, an 80" following the "1" at each o
. the four corners of the currency.
. Davis told of passing many sue
( notes in various parts of Oklahoma.
Weather Report.