The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1937-08-13
Home on the Tide
BY GUY w. SKINNER
@ Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNu Service.
THE riveting hammers cracked

the sound reverberated for all the
world like a battery Of machine guns
in full cry. A thick puree of gray fog
blanketed the harbor, and the scuttling
ferries filed the air with whistled
warnings as an army transport crept
slowly through the fog between the
towers; made her way to Quarantine
and dropped anchor against the pres
sure Of the inrushing tide. From the
Fort Mason docks tug hustled out
bearing customs and medical officers;
came alongside and made fast, as the
roar of a rushing anchor chain died
away.
To the officers families. lining the
upper rail-, and to the two hundred en-
listed men shivering on the forward
we'll deck, the rattle Of the hammers
spelled what eyes searched vainly to
ee-Frisco-Home.
To one of the five prisoners confined
far below In the brig. the sound OF the
hammers came strangely muffled and
spelling quite another word. To him,
Sammy Curtin, Manhattan gunman--
alias John Jones, doughboy, they
spelled Alcatraz, "rHE ROCK" tight
little island home of public enemies;
squattlng not unlike great, gray bat
tleship dead ahead In the harbor.
In Harlem, nearly two years before,
q stubborn mall truck driver had met
an untimely death during an attempted
postal robbery. AS direct result, and
without delay, Sammy had changed his
residence from the Atlantic coast TO
the Pacific, as rapidly and unobtrusive-
ly as possible. Here an Idea had been
the allurements of Hawaii as depicted
In an army recruiting advertisement.
What easier way to double the distance
between himself and New York? What
surer way to become inconspicuous,
than through the medium of an army
uniform? And the swimming-it would
be warmer than Coney, and Sammy was
a good swimmer and loved the water.
Answering the questions of the re-
cruiting officer proved no trick at all
swers which were wanted, becoming
John Jones for army purposes. There
was only one bad moment; when the
examiner printed his fingers. "That
wasn't so good" Sammy thought, but
considered the fact that his gloves
could have left no telltals fingerprints
In Harlem.
Things which Sammy did not con-
slider were that there Is no honor In
those who would avoid the hot seat for
themselves-that he had not worn
gloves In his lodgings and that the
mills of the Department of Justice
grind exceedingly small. All Of these
combined, accounted for the unpleas.
ant knowledge that THE ROCK" was
drawing very, very near.
The clumping feet of the sentry came
to a halt as the sergeant Of the guard
appeared. "All right, you guys; get set
for physical" Then to the sentry
"The medicoIl look 'em over In the
galley. Too crowded in here" "Okay,
from the sentry, Fall IN"
The physical examination was soor
completed. A guard, back of Sammy
was speaking Cant see your nose II
this fog. Bet we'll be plenty late get
ting In" Sammy glanced thoughtfully
toward the passageway leading from
the galley to the after well deck, and
leaning forward, fumbled momen
with his shoe strings. When he
Strengthened, both shoes were partly
unlaced.
AS the inspection group neared the
open end of the passageway. there
came sharp order from guard, anG
Sammy dashed suddenly into the pass
age, placing the inspectors between
himself and the guards. he raced the
length Of the passage, up the short
stair to the well deck, and vaultine
the rail, struck the cold waters of tht
bay with a splash.
Automatics barked-bullets bounced
and whined, but Sammy was safely un
der water, swimming strongly, an(
thanking his stars for the aid of the
tide The tug cast off and cruiset
about noisily, but Sammy swan quietly
away from the center of disturbance
while the wireless cracked with the
news Of his escape.
THE ROCK offers few comfort
able landing spots. but 1t lies near the
center Of the tideWay entering the gate
and here Is one spot where nothing /!
left to chance. Thus 1t occurred that
following notice Of Curtin's escape
Sergeant Blake was patrolling certain
portions Of the shore line He cursed
the fog as he faced the Golden Gatt
and peered toward the sound Of tn,
hammers on the bridge. The flowing
tide caused ripple along the shore
fish made splash-s splashed again
this time nearer-then the fish becam,
the dim figure of man who pulled
himself YEARLY ashore and foppec
on the bank.
Very quietly, Blake drew his pistol
| then spoke: Hello, Curtin. How