Iowa Old Press
Courier
Ottumwa, Wapello co., Iowa
February 7, 1934
OTTUMWAN TO FACE CHARGE IN SIGOURNEY
Charles Davis of Ottumwa, after an unsuccessful attempt
to escape from the Monroe county jail Tuesday night, was turned
over to Sheriff Homer Beasley of Sigourney this morning to answer
a charge of robbing a gasoline bulk station there, according to a
special dispatch from Albia today.
Davis had completed a fifteen day sentence for attempted larceny
of tires at an Albia garage. Two men have already been sentenced
for the bulk station robbery in which Davis is alleged to have
taken part, Sheriff Beasley said.
Davis’ attempt to escape was blocked when Sheriff J. W.
Goodwin of Albia heard him sawing a bar of his cell Tuesday
night. Davis evidently expected to remain in the Albia jail about
two more days and was attempting to cut the bars of his cell
without being noticed. Authorities believe he hoped to escape
from the Albia jail before being taken to Sigourney.
He was filling in the slot in the bar with tobacco, Sheriff
Goodwin said. The sheriff took his hack saw from him on finding
he was trying to cut his way out.
[transcribed by L.Z., April 2018]