Iowa
Old Press
Burlington Weekly Iowa State Gazette
Burlington, Des Moines co. Iowa
Wed., March 14, 1855
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
[Transcribed by R.R.J., May 2016]