The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1921-11-16
IL. G. HI

lncluent ABOUT winch tn.S narrative
is written. The facts having been
furnished to the writer by resident
of nearby township. In the pres
ent such escapes do not occasion
much alarm as they seem to be
more frequent
"A few years ago having to make
business tr p from my farm home
few miles from the county seat.
happened to see the escape of one
of the prisoners from the state in
stitution known as the Reformatory,
though in the light of recent inves-
tigation of that and similar insti-
tutions throughout the state, a doubt
comes to the mind of many citizens
if there can be expected much refor-
nation in youth, who are brought IN
contact with or minals such as are
found there, and under the rules that
seem necessary to apply in the con-
troll of the unfortunate individuals
who become inmates. However, the
particular incident TO which this mar
alive refers caused considerable ex-
element in the vicinity of my home
and the surrounding community.
was ourneying to town that day
by what is known as the State Re-
ward Road, which passes the refor-
matory just west of the city. The
day was ideal, early summer had
clothed the whole country in a man.
tie of golden grain and waving corn
which indicated that harvest time
would soon cause all to be busy
workers. Hank seem to realize that
time was valuable and spun along
over the road to a pretty lively rate,
which soon covered the distance be-
tween my home and the scene Of the
narrative.
AS we rounded the curve at the
top of the large hill, just before we
reached the reformatory scene of
great beauty opened to our vision,
far below us the Grand river wend-
ed its way through the valley. Along
the bank nearest to US the foliage
of many trees almost shut out our
view Of the river, and formed sha-
dows which prevented the rays of
the sun reaching the ground.
To our left as we reached this
part of the road, across a small ra-
vine on the hillside, stood the mas
sive buildings Of the penal institu-
ton. As / turned my eyes in that
direction my vision registered every
part of the immense structure, from
the broad steps leading up to the
Warden's office in front of building,
to the towers which at intervals,
stood like sentinels around the en-
tire ton of the ed'fice. Guards with
guns ready for use, occupied these
towers at all times on watch for any
of the unfortunate inmates who
should attempt to make a break for
liberty.
Near the steps mentioned stood a
man dressed as laborer. having on
a full suit of blue overall material.
a cap of dark color was pulled down
over his ewes in such a manner, as
to cause me to wonder why he was
standing at that place in sort of a
crouching position. | was not left
long in doubt on the subject as he
started TO walk away with swift
long stride, keeping close to the wall
and coming in the ERECTION Of
road which / could see near the end
of the buildings.
His manner of getting over the
ground awoke my suspic on, as prl-
soners frequently were known to
make attempts to get their liberty,
the thought occurred to me that the
man was keeping close to the wall
so as to remain out of sight of the
guards in the towers. Once he got
to the end of the building he sprung
like deer across the piece of laws
near there. Gown steep terrace,
and was soon hid from sight amcng
the shrubs which decorated that part
of the ground | decided in my mind
that his action in keeping his person
so well under cover, meant that he
was trying to escape. A word to a
companion who was w tn me, ans
our machine Stacked speed while we
both became engrossed in watching
the mans movementS
The prisoner, for that was what
he proved to be, seemed to think that
his first step toward liberty was un--
discovered, and as the shadows Of
The trees in the small ravine ada
cent, gave him ample opportunity to
proceed more leisurely and with less
caution, he kept well in their friend
ly shade following the direction of
the road for about one hundred feet,
crossing the road disappearing
among the trees along the river
bank, where in the gloom of the
coming evening his person could
scarcely be discerned.
Here he sat down on log. seem
i1R 10 De III a uttp SIuuy, pOSSlDiy
his strenuous action had caused him
to want moment for rest, or he
wished to further plan how he should
proceed in his venture for freedom
again, his momentary success in
getting out side Of the hated walls
of the prison, may have brought to
his mind thoughts of his former life,
where those dear to him might be
grieving at his absence, knowing
nothing Of the realities of his pres
ent condition, still loving and anx-
iously awaiting his return.
The whole scene was so rapidly
enacted, that we scarcely realized
that we were witnessing a thrilling
escape of determined and desper.
ate character. 1t was not more than
couple moments until we saw a
milk wagon coming from the oppo-
site direction from which we were
going. Just then the alarm whistle
at the reformatory, so well known
to those who live near such instM-
tions. told to all within its sound