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Newspaper
Monticello Express
Location
Monticello, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1897
Page
5
A critical exposé argues Madden’s lenient discipline and lax oversight at Anamosa Penitentiary, detailing 29 escapes in two years and security breaches. It cites guards, trustees, and convicts colluding in theft and illicit activity, urging scrutiny of the warden’s administration and political influence.
The Wheatland Gazette reports another prisoner has escaped from Anamosa penitentiary and evaded bloodhounds. Warden Madden seeks the stray inmate to return him before he encounters corrupt influence outside the walls.
Burrell argues hell should serve as a military necessity and would convert it into a guard house, enforcing discipline and security as a strategic measure.
A letter to the editor criticizes Warden Madden’s bid for a fourth term at Anamosa prison. It cites lax discipline, escapes, and ineffective guards, arguing the warden misstates savings while mismanaging funds and internal affairs. The writer condemns the “turn out” policy and calls for accountability in convict labor and supervision.
The text notes both houses of Congress are adjourned until January 6. It mentions Rep Dolliver on wages in Town, a gubernatorial appointee hearing from suffragists, a failed Citizens Bank at Oelwein tied to Sturgis families, and dairy commissioner pick L B Gites of Manchester. It cites bail reduction for Novak, Vinton Eagle on state policy, Mary Ellen Lease planning a Kansas run, and Christmas cheer in State Register with late libel win for Young.
Reported last Saturday at Anamosa penitentiary, Convicts Bright Phillips Ryan Gray Bridy Jennen sawn holes in cell walls and back into neighboring cells. The group worked a ventilator shaft and concrete tunnel nearly seven feet toward the roof, with mystery as to how debris was removed. Warden Madden praised for past escapes.
In the sudden death of Washington Hesing at Chicago last Saturday Germans of the city lose their most illustrious representative. He led among Chicago’s educated German community and influenced political affairs. His influence grew from editing the Tinois Staats Zeitung and he served as postmaster at Chicago during Cleveland’s last term.
The Vinton Bugle notes public outrage at Shumm the bigamist who ruined Miss McConnell and criticizes P W Madden warden who sought a pardon and secured a lucrative state job for Shumm. Gov Jackson’s inquiry found Shumm not entitled to a pardon and he refused to grant it.
A gasoline engine exploded at the Dyersville News-Letter office causing extensive damage and wrecking one end of the building.
Red Winters, arrested for burglary at Monticello last week, is cited by Warden Madden in his final report as a case who spent his prime in state service and should receive wages from the state. Winters, with four penitentiary terms, is likely to return for a fifth term.
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