ALCATRAZ
A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years
By Michael Esslinger
Introduction by Former Alcatraz Inmate Darwin Coon
ALCATRAZ - A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years
By Michael Esslinger
Original Illustrations by Phil Hall, Mira Kamada, and Philip R. Bergen
Original Copyright: © 2003 by Michael Esslinger
Revised Edition Copyright: 2011
Kindle eBook Edition: 2011
All Right Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including informational storage or retrieval systems without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information e-mail: [email protected].
Cover Design by James Zach
Original Book Design and Composition (Print Version) by John Reinhardt
eBook Design: Joshua Tallent
Cover Photo by Jack Hollingsworth (Getty Images)
Library of Congress Card Number: 00-109107
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Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FOREWORD – By former Alcatraz inmate Darwin Coon
DEDICATION
PREFACE
THE HISTORY OF ALCATRAZ ISLAND
DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION
ALCATRAZ –THE FORTRESS
The Gold Rush
The Casting of a New Prison Concept
THE EARLY YEARS AS A MILITARY PRISON
U.S. Disciplinary Barracks
ALCATRAZ FEDERAL PENITENTIARY
The New Cellhouse
Guard Towers
Warden James A. Johnston
The Guards of Alcatraz
Visitation and Inmate Rights
Transition to a Civilian Prison
The Daily Routine
The Rule of Silence and Strict Regimen
The Alcatraz Dungeon
Solitary Confinement (D Block)
Religious Services and Education
The Prison Industries
The Prison Hospital
Alcatraz in War Time
The Prison Library
The Recreation Yard
The Mess Hall
Warden Edwin Burnham Swope
Warden Paul Joseph Madigan
Warden Olin Guy Blackwell
Family Life
Island Transit
Strikes and Protests
NOTORIOUS INMATES OF ALCATRAZ
ALPHONSE “SCARFACE” CAPONE
THE BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ - THE LIFE AND IMPRISONMENT OF ROBERT FRANKLIN STROUD
ALCATRAZ ON TRIAL - THE LIFE OF HENRI YOUNG
Young Arrives at Alcatraz
Rufus McCain
Alcatraz on Trial
The Hollywood Version
MACHINE GUN KELLY
MORTON SOBELL
ROY GARDNER
ATTEMPTED ESCAPES FROM ALCATRAZ
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #1
Joseph Bowers
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #2
Theodore Cole
Ralph Roe
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #3
Thomas Robert Limerick
James Lucas
Rufus Franklin
The Escape
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #4
THE BARKER-KARPIS GANG AND THE ESCAPE ATTEMPT OF 1939
Arthur “Doc” Barker
Dale Stamphill
Henri Young
William “Ty” Martin
Rufus McCain
Alvin “Creepy” Karpis
Henri Young and Rufus McCain
The Escape
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #5
Joseph Paul Cretzer
Sam Richard Shockley
Arnold Thomas Kyle
Lloyd H. Barkdoll
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #6
John Richard Bayless
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #7
James A. Boarman
Fred Hunter
Harold Brest
Floyd G. Hamilton
The Escape
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #8
Huron Ted Walters
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #9
John Giles
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #10
THE BATTLE OF ALCATRAZ (Intro)
The Conspirators
Bernard Coy
Joseph Cretzer
Marvin Hubbard
Miran Thompson
Clarence Carnes
Sam Shockley
PREPARATIONS FOR THE ESCAPE
Early Planning Stages
The Scene of the Battle
The Battle of Alcatraz
THE AFTERMATH
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #11
Floyd P. Wilson
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #12
Clyde Milton Johnson
Aaron Walter Burgett
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #13
THE “ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ”
Frank Lee Morris
John and Clarence Anglin
Allen Clayton West
ESCAPE ATTEMPT #14
John Paul Scott
Daryl Lee Parker
THE CLOSING OF ALCATRAZ
The Fall of an Icon
The Indian Occupation
From Penitentiary to National Park
APPENDIX
1956 Rules and Regulations
Inmate Roster
REFERENCES
Bibliography
Photographic Sources
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Alcatraz may well continue to stand as a symbol of confinement and isolation, but the scope of my research and the influence of those who have contributed were, simply stated, not. They encircled the globe, from across the US to as far away as Holland and these people have helped me to define the framework upon which to build. I once came across a quotation from the Dalai Lama, who stated in his great wisdom that sharing knowledge is the path to immortality. As it may, I will be forever grateful to the following immortals:
First and foremost, Joseph V. Sanchez, Archivist at the National Archives was an enthusiastic supporter and always went above and beyond to help me navigate through the endless maze of files and records. Michael Frusch and Rosemary Kennedy also extended their support and always came through on my short-notice requests. John Martini, historian, writer and masterful researcher, was a phenomenal resource on a multitude of levels. His passion for exploring history, his willingness to share new discoveries and his careful attention to detail have made my work so much more engaging. In addition he is the author of one of my favorite books, Fortress Alcatraz, which remains “the” landmark reference on the military years. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the late Erwin Thompson, whom I never had the chance to meet, but whose mammoth reference entitled Alcatraz – The Rockwas key to my studies.