The Sandusky Register from Sandusky, Ohio • Page 1

EXCLUSIVE ASSOCIATED PRESS t.l 'i SERVICE THE SANDUSKY REGISTER FOLLOW THE CLASSIFIED COLUMNS TO PROSPERITY Sandusky's Oldest Business Institution 0 1 8 2 2 More Than A Century In Your Service. VOL. 10 8. 0. 9 6.

SANDUSKY, OHIO, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1930 1' THRKF. rr.NTS I KlUilT CKNTS KILLS 335 Convicts, Guards Alike Turn Rescuers FLAMES BELIEVED INCENDIARY As Death Reigns At Fire Swept Prison Wind Fans Flames, Bringing Wild Panic Amid Dying Groans Scores Of Convicts Totter From Cells, Stagger Few Steps, Then Fall, While Doctors Try To Bring Back Life. Ily It. CHOXIV. JK.

COLUMBUS, 0 April 21 spread by the fire fiend through the tinder-like cell blocks of Ohio Penitentiary here tonight, reigned supreme in the prison yard, where the bodies of at least men lay stiff and silent, victims of one of the worst disasters in the history of the state, A sudden burst of flame, followed by a dense cloud of smoke, heralded the beginning of the catastrophe. The flames first appeared in a cell block where a new structure, within the prison walls, was being erected. Quickly the fire spread toward tiers of cells occupied by convicts. The wind conspired with the flames to spread death, and soon many prisoners, trapped in their cells, were beyond human aid. As prisoners and guards fought heroically to rescue the trapped men, and general alarms were sent out for fire apparatus, police, national guardsmen, regular Army soldiers, and reserve guards, the scene within the prison walls was one of utter disorder.

Convicts still in their cells, feared the fire would reach them, and they sent up a mighty crescendo of screams. Totter. Then Fall Dead Within a few minutes, scores of convicts not locked in, were staggering on to the damp grass in the prison yard from the smoke filled cell tiers. A- BIG THREE END NAVAL CONFERENCES They would walk a step, totter, then drop in their tracks. (ivfrcome within, tin? blockH, were carried out by convicts and laid on tlie grans, where artificial respiration methods were tried prison When it became evident that a man was beyond help, he was quickly covered with a blanket and (he rescuer passed along to another victim.

Soon police fsTves and firemen vore on the WCIIP, and within a time, fire linos were cstab- and water was being played upon the plant flames as they swept heavenward from th" wst Kate of the west cell tiers. Then nmc soldiers, to augment the guards both within the prison and on the outside. Itattlerield Scene Doctors by the score soon followed, and they were rushed into the prison yard, thcr" to work on the stricken. Most of these men were clad In their white hospital clothes, and ns they made their way through the Ions lines of unconscious and dead, working heroically to revive some of the victims, the onlookers Mere reminded of scents on a battlefield, At least 600 convicts wi loose in the smoke-filled prison yard. And be it said to their they created no disorder, but labored hard to aid in the rescue work and succor their- stricken fellow-prisoners who were trapped in the Ill- fated cell blocks.

The hospital produced many heart rending scenes. Fifty uncajiscioua men were dragged in, and the doctors and attendants (rave what aid they could. As a man died, con- jets removed his body to the base- OUR WEATHER MAN OHIO Partly cloudy and coldrr with light rnlu In iiorth- ram portion ehnnglne to auotr fnlr Turmlnr night I M'edneadny increasing clouulnenv with rUlng temperature. Indications are for rain In the North Atlantic States and light rain probably changing ii snow flurries In the Lower Lake Jleglon, tlio. extreme Upper Ohio Valley, and the Northern Appalachian Jleglon Tuesday and for showers In the Lower Ohio Valley and Western Tennessee Wednesday, otherwise generally fair weather will prevail Tuesday and "Wednesday in the Washington forecast district.

I ,0 1MTA temperature yesterday, 62: on same date last year, 48; lowest temperature esterday, 41; on same date labt year, 43. precipitation yesterday, on same date last year. humidity: a. m. 87, noon 8H; sun rises today, sun sets today, 7:18.

rnenl. and within a very short time the hospital floor was covered with victims. (lather L'p All fiuns At the outset of the disaster, and the crave seriousness the fire was discovered, it was feared that general delivery of prisoners had been attempted. Guards rushed here and there, picking UP machine and shot guns. Shouting for ammunition, nnd adding to the general disorder.

Outside prim faced guards trained their runs on the walls. Inside, a score of guard." kept an eye on the loose convicts, fearing there would be a break. Hut when it was learned that men wero trapped in the blazing cell blocks, guards and convicts forgot their positions nnd joined hands in the common effort to save the men who were trapped like rats. The screams of the and those who had been seared by the flames, were heart rending. For once in the history of the penitentiary, convicts handled ropes, axes, hammers and other rescue equipment, which.

In other days, would have been kept from them. There colored convict, with a piece of white cloth over his nose. He carried a rone, and a hook, and he niade valiant efforts to throw the hoolo info a barred window. Finally he succeeded, and isoou he was shimming up the rope In an effort to gain entrance to the burning section. Here another convict carried a sledge hammer, and made an assault on a locked door.

Only in the enst cell blocks, where are confined a thousand including Company K. the 'bad men" of the prison, did the convicts caused any disorder. Here they shouted, and screamed nnd hammered on their cell doors. Home- one reported that the key to this block had been rbst. When the chief deputy warden could not find the key he took a sledge hammer to loose the men if the flames threatened tho block.

of a three-power naval tiatlons of the five power naval con- States, Prime Minister Ramsay Mac, ference London. The three-power Donald (center) for Great Britain treaty w.th some fnt-nower trim- trMtv wi JC Bned bv secretary of and RelJIro Wakatsuki (right) for mings will complete the long nego- state Stimson (left) for the United Japan. Sandusky Vicinity Convicts Not Included In Death List; Rumor Brady Loses His Life Hoover Warns To Cut Expense WASHINGTON'. April 21 President Hoover has sent letters to the chairman of the Senate finance and the house appropriations committees which are understood to warn against the formulation of excessive appropriations measures during the remainder of this session of Congress. I Weather, Station Obstrva- 11 on at 8 p.

m. 6 Vel. 3 i Abilene, SK. 94 60 0 Chicago, NW, PtCly.54 68 44 10 .10 Weaver, NW, 72 46 14 0 Huluth. NW.

86 S4 16 .02 tlalveston, 76 66 0 Jack'vllle, 72 0 N. 72 54 0 City, NE. I'Cy. 62 64 86 0 NK, PtCly.82 88 62 0 Portland. SW, Rain.64 68 58 .08 St.

Louts, AV, 72 48 0 salt Lake, N. (2 60 '0 Frisco. W.finCldy.. .64 70 68 14 0 t. S.

Sno.28.?6 88 30 ,18 tt'Mh'f Cty.ff 84 9 New Low Want Ad Price JUST PHONE MAIN 28 And see how cheaply you can run a 2 or 8 line Want Ad. You'll Be Surprised! Although Sandusky was aflame with reports Monday night that Krie-co prisoners in the Ohio Penitentiary had perished in the holocaust at the state institution yesterday, no convicts sPnt to the pen from this county were included among the dead in the list compiled by tlie Associated Press up to an early hour this morning. It was admitted at Columbus that the task of getting an accurate check of the dead was proceeding slowly and the list available early today was anything but complete. Some of the Krie-co prisoners, it was said, were likely at one of the penitentiary camps. Chester McAleer was said to be at the London prison farm.

Rumor was rife that James Brady, Sandusky lifer, was among the dead. rirady has been a patient in the pen hospital for some time, dangerously ill with tuberculosis The tiro apparently did not reach the hospital. It was that radio accounts from Columbus listed a prisoner named OVlc.Mitlen among tho dead. McMillen was burglary: TJobert Furry, robbery; Kobert Armstrong, robbery; Paul Xiccali, robbery; Charles robbery; Roy Tomilson, forgery; i. i Ray Helmer, Bigamy; Alex AVebb, ers in the Ohio penitentiary, taker.

Ge01 KB forgery; from the cr'minal court docket of 1 William Rowland, forgery; Sam recently sent 'lp from Krie-co for participation in the Berlin Heights bank robbery. Partial list of the Eric-co prison- CONVICTS TRAPPED IN CELLS; TROOPS, GUARDS RESTORE ORDER Bodies Scattered Over Prison Yards By Hundreds At Columbus; Some Convicts Aid Firemen Halt Blaze And Rescue Fellow; Prisoners While Others Cut Hose And Set More Fires. MOST DEAD ARE SUFFOCATED Thousands Of Prisoners Mill About In Yards For Hours After Flames Carry; Death Through Tinder-Like Structure, While Army National Guards, Police Try To Keep Them In Order. NILES W. BUNN DIES IN PRISON Fight Promoter From Tiffin in Pen But Few Days.

IMFKl.V. April 1 W. Bunn, only recently taken to the Ohio State Penitentiary to serve a 20- years sentence, and reported among tiie dead in the firs which swept the prison tonight, was a former fight promoter here. Bunn was one of three men sentenced for the robbery of the Republic State Bank at Republic. Charles Urnssie of Maple drove stood trial but was found guilty.

Jesse Baughman and Bunn pleaded guilty. Bunn was sentenced March 25 after withdrawing a plea of not guilty. O. Voting is another Seneca- co prisoner mentioned among the dead. the common pleas court, and believed by Prosecutor C.

K. Mover to be accurate, is: James murder! Nicholas Cappassa Reynolds, second decree murder; AViltiam Rhisburg, grand laceny; Nick San- dille. grand larceny; JJavid Roberts, bank robbery; Lawrence McMillen, bank robbery: Oscar Barton, burglary and larceny; Covell Allen, burglury and larceny: Charles Termillinger, burgary; Stanley Oombroski, robbery; William Nel'f, abandonment of hild: John Rostroski, robbery; Krank McCullough, burglary and larceny: Chester McAleer, burglary and larceYiy; Dewy Wadsworth, burglary and larceny; Cus Sallee, grand larceny; Wheeler Walker, cutt ng with intent to wound; (Seorge K'erwln, rape; Albert Ebner. Weist, larceny of auto; Albert La Mere, forgery; Michael Connelly, forgery; Julius Jamrozy, robbery; Dale lllendenning. robbery; Leroy Thompson, carrying concealed weapons; Samuel Thompson, carrying concealed weapons; Gerald Conrad, carrying burglar tools.

News Shocks City Exclamations of horror mingled with some cynical remarks about overcrowded prisons and the cost of keeping prisoners as hundreds of Sanduskians last night telephoned or called at the Register office for the latest reports on the disaster at the Ohio Penitentiary, claiming 300 lives. People here being normal, generally exclaimed at tho horror of the tragedy, in which men trapped in their cells died helplessly. Gen. Null And Daughter In Pen Just Few Hours Before Fiery Disaster Had their tuiir through tho prison been less ilian three hours later, General Perry 1,. Null, commandant at the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, and his daughter, Miss Doris Null, might have been eye-witnesses to the fire disaster which stifled the lives of more than prisoners in Ohio Penitentiary late Monday afternoon.

General Null and his daughter returned to Sandusky from Columbus just a few moment i after first reports of the tragedy reached here by Associated Press wire and radio broadcasts. 'Vho magnitude of the disaster was a distinct shock to him for only a few hours before, he had chatted with Warden P. K. Thomas and. with his daughter, had later been escorted through the various sect ions of the prison.

"We left the prison about 3:30 in tho afternoon." General Null said last night. "The trip through all tho sections took about an hour and a half. I presume we passed the cell blocks where fire broke out but I do not recall their locations." Although he feels sure that den'Thomas had no advance information on the fire that was soon to sweep through the institution, General Null reported that Thomas had suggested hjs guests pass up some of the prison becai "there had been some unrest." Since tho tragedy, General Null feels that Warden Thomas was referring to tho general unrest that has prevaded correctional institutions throughout the country. Warden Thomas, who is a close friend of General Null's wa.s highly praised by the commandant, who lias also had wide experience in handling; men. "Jn my opinion, AVarden Thomas is one of tho finest and most able prison wardens in tho country," he declared.

COLUMBUS, April 21 The list of known dead in the Ohio Penitentiary disaster, und counties from which they were sentenced: Jess Shlvcly, Franklin. Harry Foreman, Franklin. Joseph Anderson, Fraffklln. Richard AVagner, Hamilton. Richard K.

Ozeak, Cuyahoga. Charles Paulin, AVood. Joseph Miller, Guernsey. Frank Klayman, Hamilton. Floyd Hosier, Preble.

Dave Davis, Cuyahogji. John Rudlickl. Lucas. Daniel Belcher, Sclpto. Sliermon Dawson, Cuyahoga.

AVilllam Lightner, Portage. Carroll Coulter, Cuyahoga. August Sacha, Hamilton. Theodore Cotral. Montgomery.

Frank Brown, Hamilton. Harold Thomas, Wood. Walker Bryant, Hamilton. Charles Bilek, Cuyahoga. Arthur Jones, Fulton.

J. J. AA'ebster, Darke. Erie Lehio, Cuyahoga. Red Clifford, Scioto.

Fred Waters, Stark. Yostlcka, Cuyahoga. Charles Licking, Dlpple, Cuyahoga. George Fullenix, Miami. Edward Axe, Miami.

Ben Crawford, Cuyahoga. A Charles Hall, Hancock. Everett AA'liite, AVashington. Alford Ford, Hancock. Fred, Kern, Cuyahoga.

Homer Eberth, Clark. Ben Hamilton. Carl Hollenbacher, Allen. Fred Ames, Wyandot, Cafarelll Pietro, Summit. Roy AA'allen, Columbiana.

Jx)uis Campbell, Athens. Samuel Mann, Columbiana. Fred Van Arrbabrlght, Shelby. James Henderson, Montgomery. John Polles, Summit.

Charles Day, Cuyahoga. Roy Meyers, Lucas. (Continued on Page 10. Column 4) Old Ohio Pen Crowded Most Of Anyjn U. S.

NEW YORK, ApriJ 21 of Ohio state prison, scene of today's tragic fire, was charged in the 1929 handbook of the National Society of Penal Information. 'The ancient plant at the State Penitentiary In Columbus, one of the largest prisons in the country suffers from a oondlion of overcrowding worse than that In any other prison," the report said. 'The need of another institution In the Ohio penal system has been apparent for many years, but the state Is only now taking steps to alleviate the conditions at Columbus. Not only can Columbus not care for an Increased population, but It is already too large a prison to be operated on any other lines than those of blanket treatment. Even with the completion of the present building program it will be able to care for its present population only under conditions that fall far below accepted modern standards for housing prisoners." Poet Laureate Of Britain Dies 1 DON, April 21 Bridges, poet laureate of England, died here today.

Mr. Bridges, who had been poet laureate since 1913. was S6 years old. His works were known all over the world. Warden's Daughter Calmly Handles His Office As Father Directs Guards At Blazing Prison COLUMBUS, April 21 ITPj With Warden Thomas inside of the prison walls during tonight's death dealing fire in Ohio Penitentiary, the situation in tho prison outer qf- flce was handled by Miss Amanda Thomas, ids daughter.

This young woman ordered guards to their posts, issued machine guns and ammunitions, called doctors and nurses and summoned troops and performed many other duties. She was calm and collected until the fire threatened her home In the penitentiary main building. Then she turned her attention to the house, ordering htr valuables removed At the height p.t the fire, someone sooutfd that the flames were spread- lug toward other cell blocks In which 500 men, including condemned, prisoners, were Then it wuu discovered that the key to these cells had been misplaced. The chief deputy warden took command of the situation, and ordered guards In with axt-s and sledge bam net's to open the cells If the fire spread further. Includes all the bad men, mostly long termers-men who refuse to be.

disciplined. A luilf doxen of these got loose during tho excitement, and until they were cornered, fires broke out In the cotton mills and fire were cut. To them was attributed the trouble among the thousand convicts loose in the yards. One hard boiled Columbus fire captain does not fear convicts. He had to pass through a'cell block of loose ptlsouers In order to get lines of hose on th eroof.

Warned by prison guards that the convicts might be "nasty'' he shrugged his ders and went In. AVlthin a short time he had fire lines on the roofs. "Big Jim" Morton, notorious Cleveland bank robber, was a hero of the fife. Big loose in the yard When the fire started, rescued a score of men from block. continued working at top speed until he was overcome by HJ was unconscious for a time, but was revived a'id suffered little ill effects.

Among the Ejuvlcts who were suffocated wan Horen Hill, a tormvi' prison guard. Hill was sentenced to serve three years' to for aiding John AVhltefield to escape. Whitefield was a notorious convict, and later was shot to death. Tho Salvation Army set up a canteen in front of the prison after night fall, and passed out coffe.u and eats to soldiers, firemen and others on duty there. Death claimed Garland Runyan, of Lawrence-co, a few hours after he entered the prison.

Runyan was admitted to the penitentiary today to serve a term for abandoning liU children In Ironton. He waw assigned to the ill-fated cell block, and was numbered among the dead. The cell tier In which tonight's fire started, was the scene of an attempted escape by three prisoners Saturday night. The men had sawed their way out of their cells, and wero making for the door when guards apprehended them. Ohio penltetillai'y has "entertained" many prominent convicts, including O'llenry, the author, who started, his career of writing while cpnfined here.

He was sentenced for embezzlement. Among other "notables" was Professor James II. Snook of Ohio State University, who was electrocuted Flood Uglits were turned Into the prison yards late tonight. Under the blazing lights, soldiers and national guardsmen aided prison guards In driving the loose convicts into their cells. The work was arduous, for most of the prisoners were and paying little attention to orders.

The Coliseum, at the Ohio State fair grounds, scene pf many a gala fete, was to be house of death tomorrow. To this large hall tho victims of the tragedy wero to be moved in the morning. Here the undertakers were to go ft work and pre pure the bodies for burial. A major part of the dead remained unidentified at a late hour tonight. Prison officials were paying little attention to Identification work until the situation in the prison yurd was brought under con trol und every convict was locked in a cell.

The Ohio National Guard v-Vas (Continued on X'uge 10. Column BULLETIN COLUMBUS, April 22 count of the dead in the Ohio Penitentiary fire disaster, completed early today, indicates that the fatality list will mount well above 300. Hospital attaches said that 311'dead were counted in the prison yard, and 24 dead were in the hospital basement. Of the 150. injured, they feared many would succumb.

No effort was being made by prison heads to get an official death count until all bodies have been removed to the temporary morgue. COLUMBUS, April 21 Death laid a heavy hand on convicts imprisoned in Ohio Penitentiary here tonight when some three hundred prisoners were killed by smoke and fire in one of the most appaling disasters in American history. Trapped in their locked cells, the victims had no chance to escape. The fire, as well as blazes in the prison yard, -were all believed of incendiary origin. After a struggle of several hours with loose convicts who refused to go to their cells, soldiers and guards got the situation in hand and all was quiet in the prison enclosure at midnight.

Then the work of removing the dead to the state fair coliseum was.begun, and investigations into the disastrous blaze were started. Under the glare of flood lights, turned into tho prison yard, the scene Avas one of appaling tragedy. Here, on the damp grass, covered by blankets, lay the bodies of several hundred men who, trapped in their locked cells, went to death like rats in a trap. Smoke suffocated a majority of the victims. Some were killed by fire.

Convicts Start Fire It's Agreed Warden Preston E. Thomas was in consultation with state jfficials at midnight, planning his investigation. Practically all sources agreed that the first fire, as well as other blazes In the prison yards, were started by prisoners. The penitentiary yards resembled an armed camp after a pitched battle. Lying on the-grass, were the bodies of some 200 victims, of the blaze, most of them killed by dense smoke.

Deputy Warden James Woodward announced that hia count of the dead showed 276, including dead in the prisoii yard and in the hospital. "He added that the injured totaled about 150, and that of this number between 60 and 70 weri; in a critical condition. The first intimation that the first fire was-of incendiary origin came from State Fire Marshal Ray Gill. He said ha believed the fire was set in several places simultaneously, ii; the I and cell blocks. The later fires in the cotton mills were incendiary, he said.

Order Women Nurses Out Chief of Police Harry E. French of Columbus, helping to command the situation in the prison enclosure, ordered all women nurses from the penitentiary at 9:45 p. m. He said he issued the order to insure safety for the women. The great toll of life Avas not reflected in the estimate of property damage by the fire.

Prison officials and fire department heads said the damage would be about $11,000. Chief Ijams, of the Columbus Fire Department, waa among the first outsiders to get into the blazing cell blocks. He said the fire spread so rapidly that guards on duty there had little or no opportunity to unlock the cell doors. Warden Thomas rushed four guards into the blocks with cell keys but before they could get to vrork on the doors they were overcome by the dense.smoke and carried out by convicts. No Electric Wiring In Block The fire chief said there was no electric wiring in the.

block, and he felt confident the blaze Avas of incendiary origin. "Warden Thomas at 9 p. m. asked for two more companies of soldiers, one regular army from Fort Hays and one national guard company. Theso were quickly supplied by authorities.

Medical detachments of the national guard wi -ro ordered in from Deluwure. and a regular company there under Captain Harry Whittaker was ordered to stand ready for duty. Try To Kire (inn Wagou Firemen working on the nvii fire, which was finally extinguished, reported to the warden that sunk convicts had cut their hoso and tried to fire their gusoline The warden told the t'uu chief tc go into the prison yurd and to up- peal to the better element the prisoners to maintain oidcr. Teleraph blanks were ta convicts. They were told to address them to relatives and assured they would be sent so thu relatives would know they had escaped death in the conflttsi'atiun.

Major General Uensoii W. Hough, O. N. wus in of the troops in the prison The were the mulcts iu. to the dining halls.

'Jhen- wtiw disorder In the dinuuu. rown--. l-iu the Quelled it fcfoit any was Imu. The broke ICoiiWnued on cvijma COUNT IS LESS IN FIRST WARD Census Shows of Population Since 1920. Population of tlie First Ward of the City of Sandusky was re by the d'strict census office at Norwalk Monday to be 4.01S.

This figiirl is a loss of 280 from the population figures for the First Ward given following the census of Ten years ago the First Wurd'st population was reported as Other Thirteenth District census figures for 1930 reported Monday were: Glbsonbmg, Sandusky-co 2,121 as compared with 1 .737 in 1920. a gain of 384; Cygnet Village, Wood- co, 615 as compared with In 1920; Jerry City Village, Wood-co, 292, as compared with 266 in 1920; Perrysburg Village, Wood-co, 3,146. as compared, with 2,429 in 1920, a gain of 717. MO.MK SKWIN'U WKKK Great Savings: i'llka and Wash Goods. The Herb Myers Cw..