Letters From Alcatraz - Michael Esslinger [78]
Asked him what the cause of the attack was and he said it was the same old story, because he would not furnish money requested by Lucas.
Guard Sanders who was on duty in the Clothing Room at the time reports that a few minutes before he had gone in the clothing room and went over to a small desk with #107-Best. They were drawing a design for some additional pigeonholes for inmates clothing. Mr. Sander’s back was towards the door. He noticed Capone enter the Clothing Room and saw him looking at the mandolin but did not notice Lucas come in. The first he noticed was when he heard a scuffle and yelling.
At that time Capone was trying to protect himself against the attack of Lucas. Mr. Sanders was only about ten feet away, pulled out his club and jumped over to them, pushed Capone behind him and with Lucas in front of him ordered Lucas to surrender the half of scissors he was holding in his hand, which Lucas did without any resistance. Mr. Sanders took Lucas then up the stairs to the cellhouse and turned him over to Mr. Lapsley. At the same time he blew a whistle to attract attention of the cellhouse guard.
#107-Best went with Capone up the stairs through the kitchen to the mess hall gate. Through this gate Best took Capone on up to the Hospital while Mr. Sanders cleared the basement of all inmates. Mr. Lapsley took Lucas to the Hospital and stayed with him.
This is all the information I have been able to obtain up to the present time (3:00 P.M., excepting that as soon as Lucas had a slight cut on his head dressed I order him placed in Solitary Confinement “D” Cell Block, about 10 A.M.
The second memorandum included with this text was written to Warden Johnston by the Chief Medical Officer, George Hess. The memo provides a detailed summary of Capone’s injuries:
On June 23, 1936 the above inmate was brought to the hospital with multiple stab wounds and with a history as follows;
About 9:30 A.M. while engaged at work in the clothing room he was attacked by another inmate with a pair of clothing scissors. He gave the name Lucas, number 224, as the man who stabbed him. His condition at the time he was brought to the hospital was that of semi-shock. He was given the usual circulatory stimulants and then first aid measures and an examination.
The primary examination and treatment was given by Doctor Greenberg. He found several wounds as follows; a small punctured wound in the left chest posteriorly about 2 cm Deep which did not penetrate the chest cavity, a puncture wound on the medial aspect of the left thumb about 11/2 cm In length and extending to the bone, several superficial wounds – two on the right arm and one on the right hand. Under the fluoroscope there was seen a foreign body embedded in the first phalanx of the left thumb. This was removed by operation in the operating room under local anesthesia, it was the point of the scissors blade and was about ½ inch in length. The piece of blade was strongly embedded in the bone and much difficulty was experienced in removing the object. He was given 1500 units of tetanus antitoxin.
The patient is recovering from the injuries in a satisfactory manner. The prognosis is considered good at this time. He will probably be confined to the hospital for at least three more days.
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Alcatraz California
June 26, 1936
Pursuant to orders of Warden James A. Johnston issued this date, the Board comprising Deputy Warden C. J. Shuttleworth, Chairman, Chief Medical Officer Dr. George Hess and Lieutenant E. J. Miller is now convened for the purpose of providing a hearing for inmate James C. Lucas, Number 224-Az, having been charged that on the twenty-third day of June, 1936, he did attack inmate Number 85-Az, Capone, with a dangerous weapon, inflicting several wounds on the body of this inmate.
The board is now in session and the prisoner will be brought before the board for hearing. (Prisoner summoned).