#local jail

“Wounded Soldier Sentenced to Jail,” Toronto Globe. September 1, 1916. Page 08. --- Attorney-General Authorizes His Liberation That He May Attend Reception. --- The ‘boys’ in a western Ontario city were apparently exceedingly good to a war-scarred returned soldier, with the result that the latter, as the result of his imbibing too freely, landed himself in court and was sentenced to thirty days in jail. Last night a reception was held in the city in honor of returned soldiers, and before the ceremony thoughts fastened on the unfortunate victim doing ‘time’ while the band was playing outside. Accordingly, an effort was set on foot to have the prisoner, who had valorously served his country, released, and the Attorney-General, who was communicated with yesterday afternoon, without any hesitation took the human view and authorized the soldier’s liberation. 

“Jails Crowded,” The Georgetown Herald. April 2, 1919. Page 04. --- The Guelph Herald says Governor McNab, of the jail in the city, reported last week that it was overflowing and in several cases he had had to put two men in one cell. There is room for all prisoners in Milton jail, but Governor McGibbon says it has had many more occupants this year than usual, with an exceptionally high percentage of committals for crime. The increase of crime is said to be general. What is the explanation? - [Milton] Champion

“Jail Delivery Was Attempted,” Sudbury Star. May 17, 1919. Page 07. --- An attempt to effect a wholesale jail delivery was made last night at Sudbury district jail, the prisoners implicated being discovered at work by Turnkeys O’Neil and McKeen before any succeeded in escaping. In some manner unknown the men secured a monkey wrench and screw driver and when discovered had removed the plates holding in the vertical iron rails at the top of the cell doors. They had commended to take out the rods when their operations were halted. Implicated in the lot were a man named Henry Marquis, sentenced in March to one year for theft, J. Patterson, an escaped prisoner from Burwash Farm, and several others. This morning an investigation was conducted by Crown Attorney McKessock and Magistrate Brodie, with the result that steps will be taken immediately to prevent an occurrence of the plot of the prisoners.

The attention of the council was called to the need of repairs to portions of the jail wall.

Alphonse was given some extra privileges at Chapleau, owing to the fact that the town constable was ill and there was no fire in the jail. He was allowed to stay in the day room, and the guard over him was none too close. He took advantage of this and with an axe he pried the window bars loose and escaped. He was caught the next day in a lumber camp and taken back to Chapleau. This time he was placed safely behind the bars, cold or no cold. He will be placed on trial here.”

“Boys Break Away from Elgin Jail; Make Dash for Liberty When Taken Out To Work; Hide In Woods,” Toronto Globe. May 30, 1919. Page 03. “St. Thomas, May 29. - A daring escape from the Elgin County jail was effected this evening by Harry Froome and John Munshone, two youthful prisoners.  the boys took French leave of Turnkey Mills as he was taking them out to work on the Court House lawn.  Turnkey Mills turned to bring out a third prisoner and as he did so Froome and Munshone bolted down the road and over into the Mill Creek ravine that adjoins the county buildings.  A sarching [sic.] party was immediately instituted, but up until a late hour this evening the boys had not been apprehended.  It is believed that they are hidung in the woods in the ravine. Froome is a local youth who was convicted Wednesday of burglarizing a cigar store, and sentenced to two years in the Reformatory.  Munshone comes from Harrisburg, Pa., and was serving a month’s sentence on conviction of gaining entry into a bonded railway car.  He was the youth who fell asleep in the sugar car on the Pere Marquette Railway in Buffalo and was locked in by the unsuspecting car checker.  He spent two and one-half days in the car before he reached this city and was captured. A negro prisoner at the jail told the guards after the boys’ escape that he had heard them plotting Wednesday evening but had refused to accompany them on their bid for freedom.”