White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1923-12-23

| Ht eoCdpe u IlotOc IIOLt1
following several other escapes from
time to time prompted Salter to ten
der his resignation. The most re-
cent escape was the cause of flood
of criticism to the state capitol, but
as to the justice of it as- much doubt
may be entertained
Fristoe is well known in White
Pine county because here was the
seat Of his crime. The shooting of
Officers ST.. Clair and Requa near
Cherry Creek will long be remem-
bered. Fristoe was tried and found
guilty and the jury fixed his penalty
at life imprisonment. He was taken
to the state prison at Carson City.
and in the natural course of events
made ''trusty' by the then warden.
Rufus B. Henrichs. AS such "trusty"
| he remained for many months and
Salter SO found him when he as
sumed charge last April. That many
others had faith in him was recently
evidenced in Ely when a petition was
circulated here and freely signed by
officers, business men and citizens
generally. An examination OF that
petition would leave no doubt Of the
fact that right here where he COM
mittel the crime he was regarded as
being worthy of parole by many of
the best citizens, in whose good faith
none will raise question. During
the months Salter had him iii charge
and up to the very moment of his
, escape Fristoes every act was one
which tended to show that the faith
reposed in him was not amiss. Under
/ the former warden as well as under
Warden Salter Fristoe had every op-
Dortunity conceivable to escape but
in each and every instance he hy his
actions strengthened the confidence
reposcd in him. On the day Of his
escape he drove the prison ear and
the warden to Reno as he had done
day after day and as he has been
accustomed to doing since long be-
fcre Warden Salter was charged with
his safekeeping. On one occasion he
was alone in California but few
miles from the Mexican line and
with new car. He was trusted. as
usual, drove back to the prison at
Carson City like any trusted clauf-
feur. Why then should Salter lose
faith in him and keep him In con-
fnement any more than Warden Hen
richs did or any more than any
human being would unde.' all the
circumstances? The News Gtes not
assume to question the good faith
Of any who may criticize, but be-
1ieves that much of the criticism
comes about v reason or no investi-
cation having been made rs to the
facts.
AS to the stand taken by the war
den and the regard in which he is
held by those who have occasion 10
know him, and the facts surrounding
his case best, is set forth in tn, cor
which passed with ref
rrence to his resignation ard which
Is here glyou
Carson City, New, Dec. Ito
his cxcellency, James G. Scrugham.
governor of the state OF Nevada:
My Dear Governor hereby ten
der my resignation as superinten-
dent of the Nevada state police and
ex-officio warden Of the state prison.
] am prompted IN this course by
desire to relieve your administra-
ton of any embarrassment due to
criticisms directed at me personally
relative to the management of the
state prison. These criticisms might
be made in good faith. but are new
ertheless unjust
The construction work now go
ing on at the prison, dismantllng
the old cell block. roofs and walls
has made it impossible, with the
utmost vigilance, to prevent es-
capes. The prison at present Is not
secure and cannot be made so un..
til the new cell blocks and other
parts of the prison have been COM
pleted.
feel, however, that in justice to
you and to myself I should retire
at this time.
Thanking you and the members
Of the board of prison commission
ers for the loyal support that has
been given me, I am, yours Gin
cerely, THOS. J. SALTER
Carson City, Ner., Dec. IT,
Hon. T. ] Salter, superintendent.
Nevada state police, Carson City:
My Dear Captain Salter--Your
resignation received this day Is
hereby accepted, effective at such
time as your successor in Office may
be appointed and qualified.
need not express to you the
regret I feel that conditions are
such as to make the acceptance OF
this resignation advisable. I have
always entertained an abiding con-
viction Of your loyalty and of your
desire to discharge the duties of
your Office with industry. honesty
and fidelity, and the termination OF
your service in this Office will not
affect in any way that estimate OF
your character.
with Ind D.,