In October 1912, an escaped convict’s run for freedom came to an end not because of a betrayal or a clever trap, but because he was trying to reach his dying mother.
Tony Landers had escaped from Joliet Penitentiary with two other men, William Dunne and Frank Thompson. The three were making their way toward Chicago when Landers grew impatient. He had been told his mother was near death, and he feared that every lost minute might cost him his last chance to see her alive.
When his companions said they were too tired to hurry, Landers left them behind and pushed on alone. He later said he knew the decision might cost him his liberty, but he was willing to risk capture if it meant reaching his mother’s bedside.
He did not get far. A farmer spotted him in a cornfield near Worth, Illinois, and notified police. Within minutes, Landers was ordered to surrender.
Convict’s Desire to See Mother Leads to His Capture
An escaped convict’s efforts to get to see his mother, reported dying, led to his capture today at Worth, Illinois.
Tony Landers, one of the trio who broke jail at Joliet Penitentiary Sunday was the man captured. He told his captors he had left his companions not more than ten minutes before and the posse went on to seek the others, William Dunne and Frank Thompson.
Landers was overtaken in a corn field after a farmer had notified the police.
“When we got near Chicago, I wanted the others to hurry,” he said. “Dunne and Thompson said they were tired.
“I had been told my mother was dying and I didn’t want to lose any time. I wanted to see her before she went, even if it cost me my liberty, so I went on. Ten minutes later, I was ordered to surrender.”
The police are investigating Landers’ story about his mother and if it is found to be true, he will be allowed to visit her before being returned to Joliet, they said.
Source: Omaha Daily Bee. Omaha, Neb. October 30, 1912.
