The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-09-08

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information.
And don't think the inmates
don't know everything that goes on
in here" an inmate told The
Times investigator. IF the screws
Czuards) have a stool pigeon system,
so do We" the "old timer" whispered
as he glanced from side 70 side 70
see whether fellOw-prisoners we're
near enough TO hear.
For example" said the prisoner
every fellow here wonders why a
certain guard stationed at the main
gate when the Dillinger gang we're
making their break still is at his
old post.
When the ten convicts came up
to the main gate. pushing the
superintendent Of the shirt shop be-
fore them. this man opened the
gate and then ran and hid IN
cell which lies just of the entrance.
He had to be attended by doctor
for his nerves when it was all over.
II Got a Soft Job"
so YOU see we know what's going
on in here" the Michigan long
timer insisted as he grinned tooth
lessly at his interrogation.
I got a soft job when l found
letter sent to one of the former OIL
cials in which il was intimated
prison break would take place.
That was in 1881. That letter was
red hot. Il described money that
was to be paid to certain guards and
mentioned that the money was be-
ing collected. The official knew
about the plan almost as soon as 1t
was made. It never came of.
guess they couldn't raise the money.
After that I didn't have to
Worry
Prison murders are frequently
traceable to "Squealing," this felon
claimed. The convict's grapevine
system Of discovering prison secrets
and passing the information on to
the inmate population is response
bic for many a cutting affray that
ends in death in the prison or in
gang feuds on the outside.
The killings are not always done
by the fellows harmed by the
sauealing," the reporter was told.
The way these tough fellows do 1t"
the prisoner continued" is to poison
the mind of some weak-minded in
mate with fantastic stories about
the convict whose death is desired"
Somebody Else Takes Rap
In this way the ringleaders-the
fellows who have learned that some
one squealed-get their revenge.
They are safe. Some one else takes
the rap if caught during or after the
cutting"
Revenge for Squealing is usually
melted out by groups of weak
minded felons fired with bitterness
by others, prison officials agree.
Sometimes the prisoner whose plans
have been upset by the convict in
former gets his own vengeance, but
seldom.
See that fellow over there" the
lOduaciOus convict said. nodding to-
ward a fellOw-convict seated across
the room. That long scar on the
right side of his face. starting at
the ear and ending at the mouth, IS
the 'Squealer'S mark That was
put there by foreign convicts who
practice daily with knives. They
are expert in SlaShing a face from
care 10 mouth. They never fail"
The convict shuffled off to his
cell
Prisoners All at Work
The reporter joined sightseeing
tour about 10 start out from the
main gate TO view the prison. Guild
ed by a screw in his blue uniform
and brown sombrerO-the uniform
for guards-the party. consisting of
a clergyman. a business man and
ten young girls. went through the
prison.
In all parts Of the twenty-three-
acre yard. blue-clad prisoners were
at work. In the shop where auto
mobile licenses for 1885 are being
manufactured. several hundred men
labored like titans amid the clang
OF heavy machinery and kissing
steam Hundreds more bent over
intricate patterns in the rug shop:
the shirt shop hummed with activ-
ity. The whole prison resembled a
modern manufacturing plant work
ing at peak capacity.
The guard halted the party at the
newest dollhouse, a model building
to point out the difficulties men
might encounter who plotted escape.
He uonStrated how every cell in
the ok opens only when a guard
pull a lever. He pointed TO the
tow~rs spaced at intervals around
the high walls, bristling With
weapons.
only the guards in the towers
are armed" he explained The
guards inside don't take a chance
on carrying weapons. fearing that
prisoners might attempt 10 snatch
them"
Repeating His Lines
In the combined dining room and
kitchen. an enormous room capable
of seating 5000. long bare tables and
small three-legged stools awaited
the arrival OF the prisoners for chow.
A rheumy-eyed attendant opened
the doors Of giant refrigerators in
which great sides of meat were
hung.
Nine hundred pounds of beef
liver for lunch. 1900 pounds Of
sausage for dinner and 400 pounds
Of ham for Sunday dinner" intoned
ne attendant in sing-song fash
On as though he were repeating
lines in q play.
On all sides. as We walked through
the prison. eyes hungrily followed
the group Of girls. Sad eyes. be-
wildered eyes. dumb eyes. good eyes,
bright eyes. wicked eyes. moronic
yes bent over tasks. but looked up
70 follow the sightseeing party.
Outxids the workshops cool. green
lawns bordered by bright red ge-