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: coastbooks@aol.com.

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

The paper used in this publication (print version) meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences-Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, and Archival Preservation.

Ocean View Publishing

P.O. Box 222317

Carmel, CA 93922

No biographies within this reference have been authorized by those persons named or associated.

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.


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