Evening star., 1946-04-11
Jail Guard Tells
House Probers
Story Of Escape
SonderIin Says First
Report He and Davis
Cove Was a Lie

GILL TRIES to show Huff behind
custer effort. Page AGO
Oscar Sanderlin, one of the
two guards in the District Jail
death house when Joseph Medley
and Earl Mcfarland, condemned
murderers, escaped on April 8.
today told his story for the first
time to a House investigating
subcommittee and admitted the
original report given by him and
a fellow guard was "a lie" sug-
geSted by Medley.
Sanderlin is now under suspension
as is his partner, Policeman Hubert
c. Davis. Davis was not present at
today's committee session, and ii
was explained he was acting an ad-
vice of counsel.
Did Medley suggest that story?"
asked Chairman Hebert.
Sanderlin said Medley told them
as he and Mcfarland left: I'VE held
you up with a gun" The witness
added: II told Botkin &C. O. Botkin,
Jail superintendent a lie about the
gun. knew was in an awful pre-
dicament."
Did you and Davis make up that
story about the gun while you were
waiting to be rescued?" Mr.. Hebert
asked.
Maj. Callahan Testifies.
Sanderlin stared at the committee
table moment, then said: Yes, we
did"
In spite of 1.-THE confusion and
your kicking on the bars and trying
to attract attention. Mr.. Hebert
went on, you had time to make up
that story?"
We'll, we had 10 minutes" San
derlin replied.
Other developments at today
hearing were:
A statement by Police Supt. Har-
vey G. Callahan that Davis had not
been fired despite four convictions
of violating police regulations be-
cause of civil service rules. This
brought from Chairman Hebert OF
the subcommittee the statement
That's the fault of Congress for not
giving you complete authority to hire
and fire your men,"
Conflicting testimony about the
reported warning that Medley and
Mcfarland played cards with their
o,-Je ioI1 unraunr there c
testimony that Jail guards were
warned the death house prisoners
were allowed out of their cells to
play cards among themselves, but c.
E. Tucker. captain of the jail guard,
testified an investigation failed to
uncover any evidence of the card
playing.
Guard Tells Story Freely.
Sanderlin was warned by Chair
man Hebert at the outset OF his
testimony that the committee was
not requiring him to say anything
that might jeopardize his defense
against pending criminal charges,
and that he could feel free to tell
as much or as little as he thought
best. The suspended policeman
showed no reluctance, however, ex-
cept at one or two points, but told
a complete story of the escape.
Sanderlin described the rummy
game which he and Davis played
with Medley and Mcfarland in the
recreation cell of the death house
for about an hour the morning OF
the escape. 1t was 500 rummy, the
officer explained, adding:
Medley kept the score"
Sanderlin said he went to work
feeling sick at midnight that night
and was quite nauseated about 2:3C
am. and had to go to the bathroom
A violent headache continued, he
added.
About 3:30, he told the committee
while they were playing cards, Nc
Farland noticed sudden static on
the radio which they had on and
remarked that meant the elevator
was coming up. Medley and Nc
Farland then got back in their cells
the witness continued, while he and
Davis resumed their normal posi-
tions of guarding the death house
Were Not Playing for Money.
Acting Lieutenant of Guards Ben
jamin E. Peed made the inspection
of the death house, Sanderlin said
Sanderlin could not remember any
thing 1t. Peed said, but recalled
that he seemed satisfied everything
was all right and left.
After the inspecting officer left,
Sanderlin went on, the boys came
back out of their cells, but the game
was not resumed
Il think the game was over any,
way Sanderlin added, I'm not
sure"
Were you playing for money!"
asked Representative Simpson, Re-
publican, of Illinois.
Sanderlin said no. He added that
Medley and Mcfarland were talking
after the inspector left, but he could
not remember what they said.
"All I know" Sanderlin said, was
my head hurt terribly. I told them
I was doggone sick. Medley said to
me: Why not 60 in my cell and lie
down? The rest of the officers do
it." I declined the invitation. But
yeu know how it is when you have
a-sick headache and finally agreed
to do that
II went into Medley's cell and
stretched out. A little later Medley
came in and asked me how I was
sfeeling. I'll be o. X I told him
0Then Medley and Mcfarland started
working fast. Mcfarland came by
(See JAIL BREAK, Page A-20.)
Trial of MihoiIoyich