Iowa
Old Press
The Anamosa Prison Press
Anamosa, Jones co. Iowa
April 2, 1904
About this time two years ago The Press chronicled the
release of five lifers, who were paroled on recommendation of the
Twenty-ninth General Assembly. Of the thirteen lifers that
applied for pardons from the two prisons, seven were granted
paroles. This year, out of sixteen applications from the two
prisons, the committee on pardons has voted to refuse pardons to
all but one. That one is a man 84 years old. His release meets,
we believe, with popular approval, so much so, in fact, that if
the committee had left it to the choice of all the applicants
whom the fortunate one should be, their choice would have been
unanimous, we believe, for Henry Hall.
By the retirement, April 1, of Deputy Warden Z. H. Gurley, who
succeeded Mr. George Andrews six years ago when Warden Hunter
assumed charge of the Colony, former Assistant Deputy H. P. Smith
has received a well merited promotion by his appointment as
Deputy Warden and former Patrolman J. H. Lowe has been named for
the office of Assistant Deputy. Deputy Warden Smith has risen
through merit alone from guard, foreman of masons, assistant
deputy, to the office of deputy warden. He is an energetic, even
tempered man of intelligence and is well liked by the prisoners.
With the retirement of Mr. Gurley occurred also that of his
daughter, Mrs. A. M. Waterman, who has been matron of the Female
Department since April 1898. Mrs. Waterman is succeeded as matron
by Miss Anna Treman, daughter of our venerable usher and herself
the accomplished organist for our Chapel exercises for the past
six years. We are not definitely informed in regard to Mr.
Gurley's future plans nor those of Mrs. Waterman. Both have been
acceptable and efficient officers and the Detained as a whole are
reluctant to see them leave.
Mrs. Sophia E. Hubbard, mother of Sergeant W. A. Hubbard of the
local force, died at the home of her son Edgar, in Monticello,on
the 29th ult, aged 85 years. Mrs. Hubbard was born in Rutland,
Mass, Oct. 9, 1818. With her husband, she came to Iowa about
twenty years ago and settled in Monticello, Jones county. Since
the death of her husband in 1898, Mrs. Hubbard had lived with her
son Edgar. She is spoken of as being an excellent housewife and
attentive mother and took great pride in making her home happy.
Indeed, one has but to know the manly character of her sons to
know that Mrs. Hubbard was a mother of uncommon qualities. The
Press sympathizes with Sergeant Hubbard in his great loss.
Press reports say that Carl Berg, a former Dining-room boy here,
has been sentenced to die by electrocution in the Columbus, Ohio,
prison. While here Berg was a quiet, obedient youth and did not
appear to be criminally inclined. The Press is sorry to
hear he is in trouble and hopes that something mitigating will be
found to avert fulfilment of the sentence.
Mrs. F. Kratochvil, of Hampton, mother of our genial Hospital
Steward, spent Tuesday as the guest of her son and by him was
shown for the first time through a prison.
Late Arrivals
5189, lrme Roberts, Polk county, one year.
5190, Lewis Letts, Delaware county, one year and six months.
5191, Morton Debe, Hardin connty, three years.
[transcribed by S.F., April 2010]
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The Anamosa Prison Press
Anamosa, Jones co. Iowa
April 9, 1904
Jack Conlin, 3626, was released by habeas corpus proceedings on
the 5th inst.
Just as we go to press with the last form, word is received of
the death this morning of Mrs. W.N. Morse, wife of Officer Morse
stationed at the Northeast Tower. Mr. Morse has been off duty for
several days, the The Press was not aware that his
wife's sickness was considered dangerous. Mr. Morse is a young
man of good habits and we are sorry to hear of his grievous loss.
Life, instead of the fifty years orginally imposed, is the
sentence which Levi Norris will have to serve as a result of a
re-trial of his case last week in the Anamosa District Court.
Our Colony is sorry to learn of the death, March 31, at the home
of his daughter, Mrs. Ed Reese, Valley Junction, of Mr. H.T.
Curry, whom the older Detained will remember as the small-sized,
white-haired pleasant-faced old gentleman that for a number of
years taught the choir class in our Sunday-school. From the Anamosa
Eureka we learn that Mr. Curry was 77 years old when he
died. He was born March 18, 1827, in Owego, N.Y., and came to
Anamosa in 1865. Mr. Curry was severely injured in an accident a
year ago, which crippled him for the rest of his days and,
presumable, accelerated his end, for his death was sudden.
Late Arrivals
5192, Myrtle Winchell, Polk county, one year
5193, Love Leachman, Polk county, one year
5194, Levi S. Norris, Jones county, life
[transcribed by S.F., April 2010]
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The Anamosa Prison Press
Anamosa, Jones co. Iowa
April 16, 1904
Sioux City gave us six this week, and Clayton county one on the
same day.
Two paroles to take effect today were received yesterday for James
O'Brien, 5061, and Gertie McDonald, 5013. Both were sentences to
serve five years.
While the local page was in press last week, Mrs. W.N. Morse,
wife of Officer Morse of the local force, breathed her last. The
remains were taken to Wyoming, Iowa, for interment, the march to
the station being attended by the guards. Mrs. Morse was a Jones
county girl. She graduated from the Wyoming High school three
years ago and was married to Mr. Morse soon after.
The Thirtieth General Assembly adjourned on the 12th inst. Our
colony will be decreased one as a result of the session. Henry
Hall is the fortunate one. He is 84 years old. Two years ago, out
of thirteen applicants, seven were granted paroles. This year,
out of sixteen applicants, only one was successful.
Late Arrivals
5195, Harvey Neeley, Woodbury county, one year
5196, John West, Woodbury county, four years
5197, George Hines, Clayton county, six months
5198, Hal Butler, Crawford county, ten years
5199, Bert Butler, Crawford county, ten years
5200, Eva Rowmines, Wapello county, six months
5201, Charles Carter, Woodbury county, one year
5202, Zack Bishop, Woodbury county, one year and six months
5203, John Rushdahl, Woodbury county, one year and three months
5204, George Honnald, Woodbury county, one year
[transcribed by S.F., April 2010]