Horse thief escapes from prison, 1855

MEANS, HUNT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 5/16/2016 at 17:09:38

Burlington Weekly Iowa State Gazette, Wed., 14 Mar. 1855. (From the Ft. Madison Plain Dealer, undated.)

On Saturday night last, two prisoners escaped from the Hospital of the Iowa Penitentiary. They had been sick for some time with the scurvy, and were yet under medical treatment, the Warden permitting them to remain in what is termed the hospital of the Penitentiary, they not having recovered sufficiently to take their place among the other convicts, and share their lot.

Taking advantage of their location, and being unguarded, they found but little difficulty of escape. We presume as the prospect of being liberated from the gloomy walls of the prison, burst upon their minds, their swollen limbs and stiffened joints became more supple and obeyed the will of the owners, with much greater alacrity, than when moping about the prison.

We think there is a lesson taught by the decampment of these prisoners, and that it is necessary to guard sick convicts while in the hospital, or at least secure them in some manner, (that should their physical strength suddenly become renewed) that would prevent them getting without the prison walls.

Their names are Joseph Means and Jackson C. Hunt. The former was from Clayton county, for horse stealing, and the other from Dubuque, for grand larceny. A reward of one hundred dollars, or fifty dollars for either one is offered by the Warden, for their arrest and delivery back to the Penitentiary.- Ft. Madison Plain Dealer.