Letters from Alcatraz

by Esslinger, Michael

  I can say to you in all sincerity, however, that it is the opinion of all those who have recently been in contact with Roy Gardner that he is a changed man. We wish you to know this and we have assured him from time to time that we recognize and appreciate the efforts, which he has been making in the last few years. He has made a fine a comeback as has any man in our institutions and we are all hopeful that at a time not too far distant in the future, your family may be reunited and you will all be given a fresh start all around.

  Very truly yours,

  Director

  * * *

  Tuesday P.M.

  To: Warden Johnston

  Alcatraz, California

  Warden my wife underwent a major operation yesterday, and considering the fact that she is in a weakened condition, her chances of recovery are bad.

  It is customary in Federal prisons to permit an inmate to visit close relatives in case of serious illness or death, provided he has funds to pay the expenses of himself and the guard.

  Will you permit me to go to Napa as soon as possible in order to be with her when she passes the crisis of her illness?

  Respectfully submitted by,

  Roy Gardner #110

  * * *

  To Mr. Simpson

  Mr. Simpson I recommend that you got a copy of Benny Leonard’s book “The Art of Self Defense” and read it.

  Yours,

  RG

  P.S. You used to be able to dodge quick smatter? Have you slowed down, or just got old? During the broadcast last night, I heard Lucas say that you was a perfect sucker for a right swing, is that true?

  * * *

  January 23, 1934

  To: Mr. Chandler

  Mr. Chandler do you remember some time ago I asked you how you got that tin ear and you wouldn’t tell me?

  I just figured it out. You must have been winding up and the guy stepped in and “leaned” on you before you could unwind.

  You was pretty lucky the other day. If that fellow hadn’t reached over your shoulder while you was winding up, and tapped that con, the chances are the con would have made a total wreck of both your ears before you could unwind.

  Yours in haste,

  Gardner

  P.S. You was luckier than Mr. Simpson at that. The con unwound him.

  * * *

  February 16, 1936

  To: Ray Gardner #110

  Dear Daddy:

  Well old bad luck kept me from coming down yesterday. Had the flu and the old Doc wouldn’t let me out. Haven’t seen Jean yet, but I think she will come out to see me this p.m.

  It just seems I get everything that comes along. My resistance seems so low, I guess Daddy I have gotten to the top of the hill and on the downward trail – forty you know now.

  Daddy at this time I am in the hands of temptation a fine man wishes to make me his wife, as fine a man as I have met since you have been gone these 16 years. He can give me a home and care for me. What do you think of it Daddy? I am just asking you.

  I read where George Austin, my good old friend is very sick, had a sudden heart attack. I would be so grieved if he should pass. There is only one G. Austin. There will never be another. He was as white a man as I ever met in the line of a government official. He has just chased one mail bandit too many I think.

  Hope Jean and you had a nice visit yesterday. She has rented an apartment and is spreading her wings. I hope I am able to keep her from spreading them too far. I will watch her.

  Be good Daddy.

  Always,

  DOLLIE GARDNER

  * * *

  February 22, 1936

  From: Ray Gardner #110

  To: Dollie Gardner

  Lo Girlie Dear:

  Yours of the 17th received today and I was beginning to think the flu had got you down. Sure sorry to hear George Austin is sick. He is one man I really admired.

  I can’t write him so I wish you would drop him a line and tell him I am pulling for him. We saw a picture today “Ruggles of Red Gap” and I laughed my head off. It was a true portrayal of life.

  I have been thinking hard about your temptation and I don’t know how to advise you. It is a proposition you will have to decide for yourself because I don’t know the man in question.

  I am sure you made a mistake by waiting 16 years for me, however that 16 years is gone and you must look to the future instead of the past. I am going to be honest with you and tell you the truth, and then you will have to use your own judgment.

  I still have about three years to go yet, and when I do come out I won’t have a dollar. I don’t know what I am going to do for a living, but I do know that I am not going hungry.

  If you wait this other three years for me you may be glad or you may be sorry, it depends on how I find conditions when I come out.

  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bushes, and if you can insure your declining years by marrying that fellow, you had better take him because my future is sure uncertain.

  Think it over carefully girlie, and then do as you think best.

  Lovingly Daddy,

  Roy Gardner

  * * *

  April 16, 1936

  From: Dollie Gardner

  To: Roy Gardner #110

  Dear Daddy:

  Received your letter a few days ago, and really Daddy I did not like the little references in it, or shall I say sarcasm. I would not like you to take this matter in a nasty little light.

  I am doing this Daddy because I think it is best. I am not well and I am so tired I do not think you even realize. In 16 years, I have never once laid the pack down, nor have I ever had a soul I could put my hand out to. Daddy if I could look forward to see a light for us I could go on, but today I cannot.

  Well, Parker is a good man I think Daddy in principal, one of God’s finest. He neither drinks nor smokes, and I would trust my child with him anywhere. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He is not very big but he has certainly been good to Jean and me. I have known him three years.

  No Daddy, I do not want you to look at this in any other than a straight clean way, or I might not think of you as I would like to.

  I will come to see you always and write as always.

  My friend Roy Lockman has advised an annulment as the quickest way without a lot of fuss and publicity. Will let you know. Please Daddy do not get all upset. Will close now with love. Will write in a day or so.

  Love,

  Dollie

  [Handwritten] Note:

  Warden: You can prevent this marital wreck if you will just throw the switch.

  Roy G.

  * * *

  April 22nd 1936

  To: Ray Gardner #110

  From Dollie Gardner

  271 San Jose Avenue

  San Francisco, California

  Daddy Dear:

  I’ve gone and done it and I am so miserable. I didn’t think that if I made up my mind it was for the best, that it would hit me so hard. So remember Daddy if you are miserable I am too. I took the annulment way, as it will be over and finished at one time. The newspapers can only yell once, it was better for Jean.

  Please Daddy be good and don’t kick over the traces. I will come to see you as soon as it is safe as the newspapers have be hounding me. I am too hysterical and cry babyish now. When I think I can talk calm I will come.

  I suppose after I get this I will have to write the Attorney General for a permit. I will write the Warden. Be good Daddy and remember you will always be with me.

  With love,

  DOLLIE

  [Handwritten Note] She filed the annulment suit April 21st. If I could assure her that I would be released any day soon, I am sure she would withdraw the suite and wait for me.

  Roy G.

  * * *

  July 12, 1936

  To: Warden Johnston

  From Roy Gardner #110

  Warden Johnson:

  Warden if my former wife asks permission to visit me, please advise her that only relatives are perm
itted. I prefer not to see her but I would like to see my daughter.

  Please do not let my wife know that I have made this request. It would hurt her unnecessarily.

  Respectfully,

  Roy Gardner

  Note:

  July 15, 1936

  Interviewed – Told him I would act in accordance with his request.

  J.J. [James Johnston]

  * * *

  April 5, 1938

  To: Mr. James A. Johnston, Warden

  United States Penitentiary

  Alcatraz, California

  From: James V. Bennett, Director

  Department of Justice

  Bureau of Prisons

  Washington, D.C.

  My Dear Warden Johnston:

  Thank you for your letter about Roy Gardner. You have got him sized up just right. He is an exhibitionist and likes to get into the newspapers and have his crimes exploited.

  But my wildest notions as to what he might do when he leaves the penitentiary never reached the point of what actually seems to be in the wind. He has an offer from a Mr. L.G. Sonney of Los Angeles who proposes to hire Gardner to help him run his studio of wax models of notorious criminals. Gardner is in effect to be an exhibit in the flesh.

  I have written to Warden Hudspeth and asked him to try and persuade Gardner not to accept this offer. What effect my advice will have I don’t know but if he insists upon going back to Los Angeles and take a job of that kind he is sure to get into trouble again. Moreover, it won’t do us any good because he is going to be giving out interviews to newspapers and to detective magazines every time he can get $10 for it. I would like to persuade him to come east, but I guess that is out. I shall have a talk with him when I next go to Leavenworth.

  If you can pass along any advice as to how the matter might be handled, I certainly would appreciate it.

  Yours very truly,

  James V. Bennett

  The original caption to this 1938 press photo read: When Roy Gardner (left), notorious Pacific Coast bank robber of the early 1920s was released today after 17- years in prison, he was met by the man who captured him, Louis Sonney (right) of San Francisco. Sonney, then an officer, now a film producer, signed Gardner to a 3-year contract.

  * * *

  June 7, 1938

  To: J. J. Bennett

  Washington, D.C.

  From: Roy Gardner

  Dear Sirs:

  Upon the advice of Warden Hudspeth, I am submitting for your approval a rough draft of my MMS based on Alcatraz. Also a scenario book on the story. I am sorry I could not have the MMS completely typed, however my typewriter connection blew up and I had to finish the rough draft in longhand.

  When rewritten and smoothed out I feel sure the MMS will bring me in some much needed cash. Also you will see that I am not directing criticism toward any Federal official in fact, I intend to dedicate the book to Warden Johnston. If you find anything objectionable in the MMS, please blue-pencil it and it will be deleted. Also I will appreciate any constructive criticism you may offer.

  On page 51 of the MMS you will find a list of the notorious characters that I intend to present to the reading public in their true light. A short two or three page biography of each of those fellows will round out the MMS to about 60,000 words, and probably double the sale. If it is not asking too much Mr. Bennett, I will appreciate it if you will arrange for me to be supplied with a picture and the case histories of those men. It would save me a lot of expensive research, which I am not able to bear at the present time. I feel sure Warden Johnston would be willing to furnish it if you would suggest it to him. Also I would be glad to submit the finished MMS to either you or Warden Johnston for censorship before I submit it to the publishers.

  In closing I wish to assure you Mr. Bennett that I am going out (June 17th) without any feeling of bitterness toward any Federal official. In fact I consider a number of officials, including yourself, as personal friends and I value that friendship highly.

  I realize it is going to be tough sledding for me until I become socially acclimated, and I would like very much to keep in touch with you Mr. Bennett, and to feel that I could call on you for advice if and when I need it.

  Warden Hudspeth advised me that you were in touch with Singer Machine Company, regarding employment for me. That will suit me fine.

  The cataract on my eye is handicapping me for precision work; however I intend to have the cataract removed as soon as I am financially able.

  I am going from here to Los Angeles, and then to San Francisco about July 1st. Please address me in care of Warden Johnston until such time as I secure a permanent address.

  Respectfully submitted by,

  Roy Gardner

  July 14, 1938

  * * *

  To J.V. Bennett

  Director

  From: Roy Gardner

  Hotel Governor

  Turk and & Jones

  San Francisco, California

  Dear Sir:

  In 1931 or ‘32, Mr. Sonney wrote a letter to Warden Hudspeth accusing me of having immoral relations with a Mexican girl in Phoenix, Arizona in 1921. Warden Hudspeth sent the letter on to Mr. Bates and Mr. MacCormick asked me about it in 1932. I would like very much like to get that letter, or a copy of it, Mr. Bennett because I am now being threatened with legal action by Sonney. The letter is on file in your office, and if you will send it to me, I will return it within ten days.

  Sincerely yours,

  Roy Gardner

  * * *

  January 17, 1940

  To: James A. Johnston

  Warden

  United States Penitentiary

  Alcatraz, California

  From: James V. Bennett

  Director

  My Dear Warden Johnston:

  I read in the newspapers with some dismay of the suicide of Roy Gardner. He chose the same spectacular manner of taking himself out of the world, as he had followed all his life.

  I would like to see the text of the final note he left. If you could get a copy of it for me, I would very much appreciate it.

  Sincerely yours,

  James V. Bennett

  * * *

  NOTE LEFT ON THE DOOR FOR THE MAID ON HOTEL GOVERNOR STATIONARY: DO NOT OPEN THIS DOOR. POISON GAS. CALL POLICE.

  To Whom it May Concern:

  Please deliver my body to Halstead and Company, 1123 Sutter St., San Francisco. They know what to do. Call R. P. Nelson, and tell him there is a letter of instructions here. He is my brother-in-law, and he will make the necessary arrangements with Halstead and Company.

  TO THE NEWSPAPERS:

  Please, this is the last request for me; do not mention my daughter’s name in connection with this. Her in-laws do not know she is my daughter, and it would probably wreck her happiness if they found out...

  TO THE NEWSPAPER REPORTERS:

  Please let me down as light as possible boys. I have played ball all the way, and now you should pitch me a slow one and let me hit it. I’m checking out simply because I’m old and tired, and don’t care to continue the struggle.

  There are no love affairs or disappointments of any kind connected with this in any way, just tired that’s all ... I hold no malice toward any human being, and I hope those whom I have wronged will forgive me for it.

  If I had realized what the future held for me, I would have checked out in 1920 and saved my loved ones the disgrace and shame that they have had to endure these many years. Also I would have dodged plenty of grief that I endured unnecessarily.

  All men who have to serve more than five years in prison are doomed, but they don’t realize it. They kid themselves into believing that they can come back, but they can’t. There is a barrier between the ex-convict and society that cannot be leveled.

  Every man on Alcatraz today would be better off if they would jump into the bay and start swimming to China. If you think I’m wrong, just watch Mooney or Beesmeyer and see how they wind up.

  I did not
decide to check out on the spur of the moment. In fact I bought the cyanide two months ago for this very purpose. I got it at a drug store on the north side of Market Street near Kearney. I don’t remember what name I signed, but my address was given as 1404 Post Street.

  Goodbye and good luck boys, and please grant my last request. Thanks.

  Sincerely yours,

  Roy Gardner

  Edward Wutke, 47-AZ

  The S.S. Yale

  Another alleged casualty of the silence system was 36-year-old inmate Edward Wutke. Prior to his imprisonment at Alcatraz, Wutke was an able seaman employed on the steamship Yale. When a friendly drunken scuffle with a close friend turned into a serious fight, Wutke drew a small pocketknife and stabbed his friend in the groin area, fatally severing his femoral artery. The wounded man would bleed to death before the ship made it into port at San Diego. Wutke became panic-stricken upon realizing the gravity of his act and had to be shackled to a fixed object. Following his conviction for murder on the high seas, Wutke became withdrawn, and was sent to Alcatraz because of what officials described as a “desperate disposition.”

  On December 27, 1934 Wutke refused to report to his work assignment, and was sent to the lower solitary unit below Block A, better known as the “dungeon.” He would remain in the damp, dark dungeon for eight days. Wutke made his first suicide attempt in January 1936. He complained that he was unable to do his time “under the present conditions,” and indicated that the silence and harsh rules had finally become unbearable. Using a small contraband blade, he sliced a prominent vein near his elbow, and bled profusely before a guard was able to intervene. The resident physician sutured the inmate’s wound and then admitted him to the hospital for an examination by the prison psychiatrist. Wutke’s unsuccessful suicide attempt would only intensify his hatred of the Alcatraz regimen. He remained incorrigible, and found himself locked in solitary on at least three later occasions.

  Deputy Warden E.J. Miller and Dr. Beacher were called to Wutke’s cell on November 13, 1937, after the prisoner was found dead by one of the officers. Following his suicide, numerous stories were leaked to the press alleging harsh confinement practices at Alcatraz. Countless inmates believed that the unrelenting torture of strict confinement had contributed to several inmates “going crazy.”