Slayers Write Kin of Hope of Future
Loeb Tells Mother He Seeks Salvation; Leopold Sees Enormity of His Crime.
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Source: Chicago Daily News, 15 September 1924, pg. 3, by James W. Mulroy.
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Joliet, Ill., Sept. 15— Sobered by prison life, "Dickie" Loeb and "Babe" Leopold wrote their first letters to an outside world to-day and agreed that Joliet was doing them a world of good.
"Dickie's" letter was to his mother, Mrs. Albert Loeb at Charlevoix, Mich.
"Confinement is doing me a world of good," he wrote. "I got down on my knees last night and prayed to God to give me strength and goodness. I am trying to find God, at last. Prison life, I think, will help me to become a good man."
Realizes Crime's Enormity
"I have come to realize for the first time the real enormity of my crime," his note said.
"Last night another prisoner lent me a book, and I hope to read many volumes here. I think that prison will make a new man of me. Anyway, I am entering this new life hoping to get all the best out of it."
Each prisoner was allowed only one sheet of writing paper. They are not permitted tor write agin until two weeks from to-day. The boys covered both sides of the rude stationery with closely scrawled writing.
A letter from Foreman Leopold, "Babe's" brother, arrrived this morning, and after reading it Warden Whitman said that he would give it to his prisoner some time this evening. At noon to-day the boys were permitted to talk to Rabbi David Rosenbaum, who visited the prison.
Old Timers Sneer at Slayers.
The boys so far have created a favorable impression upon every one in the jail except a few hard-boiled old-timers, who sneer at their youth and culture. These worthies call them "pikers."
"Model prisoners."
And that was the description tersely given them by Capt. C.A. Bigsford, deputy warden.
The jibe "pikers" came from a group of mature murderers—men who never heard of psychoses and never slept with teddy bears—like Walter Stevens and Dick Rosenbaum and Jerry Conners—mostly men who received their sentences before psychiatry joined the law to produce mitigation.
The "model prisoners" appelation came equally sincerely. Capt. Bigsford had watched the boys very carefully over the week end. He said to-day that in his opinion they were sincerely endeavoring to behave and that he expected they would continue to be respectful, obedient and willing.
"They have the right idea," he said. "Prison to any man is what he makes it. These boys will come out clean."
All Frills Removed.
The boys really began prison life to-day. Heretofore it had been something of a rehearsal. The novelty took the edge off routine and the red tape of entrance consumed weary hours. But to-day all the frills were off. "Babe" and "Dickie" got to work.
No more visitors are on their calling list for some time. They are far off the beaten track, not available to casual observation.
[End of news article]
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Page compiled: 6 June 1997
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