The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-09-10

corrupt guards, officials and
trustees differs. Reported
sums range from $1,000 to
$4,000.
Just why the guilt for allowing
Harry Pierpont and nine other des-
perate characters to walk armed
from the heavily guarded peni-
Tertiary 20 launch a series OF
outrages which cost a score OF
lives and millions OF dollars never
has been fixed on individuals Is one
Of those mysteries which one finds
nicely bound up in political red
tape.
More than forty old-time guards
are reported TO have been dismissed
BY the present administration and
new men, substituted. The former
deputy warden was fired shortly
after the delivery Of the Dillinger
gangsters. along with several guards
Penal experts refuse 10 allow all
the culpabilty for the escapes Of
Harry PierpOnt and his pals 10 be
placed on the old administration.
The new administration should
have known that things were bound
To be bad with two warning factions
among the guards and officials,
said an Indian penal expert who
has investigated the prison many
times. and taken steps to clean
house before the trouble started"
Battle Between Old. New
The fundamental cause OF the
delivery on Sept. 20, 1888. is given
by reliable penal experts as per-
sonal enmity between the old order
officials and the new when the pres
ent administration took office. That
and money supplied through John
Dillinger.
Prison experts point out that had
a civil service system of selecting
anC retaining competent officials
been in effect in Indiana. such as
The Times proposes for adoption,
the likelihood Of such conditions
would have been reduced substan-
italy.
Governor Paul V. McNutt repeat
Cdly has said in speeches that Off
Gals expect 10 prove a pay-off IN
connection with the big break. But
a year has passed and no satisfac-
tory explanation ever has been
made.
The Times has unsolicited affi-
davits in which former cOnvicts give
names. dates and places which trace
the whole history Of the amazing
plot. But because they are state
ments Of convicts who may bear
malice. The Times hesitateS TO place
too much Credence in the affidavits.
Former Guard Involved
The writer talked to D. c.
Stephenson and other prisoners
about the big break" He also
asked officials about their version.
Discrepancies cropped up in the
course of the interviews concerning
the names of guards who received
the money. No. he didn't figure in
that way" or I don't think he got
that much" we're the uftIal answers
to questions concerning the guilt or
innocence Of individuals
Stephenson named a former
guard OF the prison as the chief
plOtter in the escape Of the gang
sters.
He. with scores of other prisoners
and guards in the institution. knew
that something" was coming of"
IL was learned.
Officials Knew of Plot
There is no question that certain
officials in the prison also knew
about the proposed escape. The
Times has been informed.
But there the story ends so far
as official verificatiOn is concerned.
A former convict who told The
Times that he had been working in
the Office Of the prison for several
years prior 10 the delivery of the
Dilhnger gangSters. gave a new YER
sion OF the sensational escape.
He stated he was sitting at his
desk near the warden's Office one
night several weeks before the break.
when a trusty came in and handed
an official of the prison a package
wrapped in newspaper. The official.
according to the affidavit of the
former convict. opened the package
in front OF him and produced two
pistols. a As and a %.
Guns Near Shirt Shop
The official made no effort TO
hide the suns. the former prisoner
declared. and attempted to stuff
them in his coat pocket. but they
bulced.
Next day. according to The Times
informant'S affidavit. he found the
guns lying near the shirt shop. He
saws he recognized them as the
guns he had seen the night before
in the warden'S Office. because they
were wrapped around with car
tridges and SIS III cash was tied "a
the trigger Of one gun.
The prisoner did not touch the
pistols. he stated. but told an off,
cial Of the prison. since dismissed
Of his find.
The former prison employe Is al
legged 10 have told the prisoner "a
keep his mouth shut If he wanted
TO keep his soft job"
The prisoner stated that the plot