The Fading Voices of Alcatraz

© 2011 Jerry Lewis Champion Jr. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 1/24/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-1486-4 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-1487-1 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-1488-8 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010918948

Printed in the United States of America

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Contents

Acknowledgements and Special Thanks

Poetic Justice

Introduction

Chapter 1. Alcatraz

Chapter 2. U.S.P. Alcatraz

Chapter 3. Alcatraz

Chapter 4. Amazing Alcatraz

Chapter 5. The Prisoners, Their Charges, And Some Interesting Facts!

Chapter 6. The Heroes

Chapter 7. Industries, Religion, War,

And The Military Presence

Chapter 8. Preservation

Closing

EPILOGUE

This book is dedicated to my loving wife Alma who sacrificed very much as I pursued a time consuming endeavor. I love you. You are the beacon in my life. To my grandchildren, I hope you will continue your interest in this subject and history in general, as it will enrich your futures. Finally, I dedicate this book to the memory of the Alcatraz Correctional Officers and the men and women of America who valiantly perform the grueling task of Correctional Officers.

Acknowledgements and Special Thanks

Special thanks go to the many people that were associated with this project. No matter how big or small, your contribution was appreciated. To my father Jerry Lewis Champion Sr., in print for the world to see, I love you. In life and this project, thanks for all that you have done for me. For my grandmother Lucille Champion, Maw Maw you are The Rock of our family and I love you. To my mothers Elsie and Lucille, my sister Patty, my brother Sam, my Grandma Howard, my whole family, I love you each and every one. Mrs. Nell Pittman, my Baker High School English Teacher, I hope you find this satisfactory. Through your teachings, I found a satisfying talent from within. A special thank you is extended to the men and women of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Pensacola, Florida. To my coworkers of C Shift-Main Jail, thank you for being the receptive students (lab rats) of my project. It’s not like you really had a choice. To my partners, Deputy Richard Cotton and Deputy Shawn Hankins, thank you for being true friends. Special thanks to Mr. John and Ruth Kane, William Urschel, John Reilly, and Scott Price. Compliments and thanks to Mr. Robert Lieber, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the employees of the National Park Service, and the San Francisco Postal Service. Thank you to Mr. John Banner, Darwin Coon, Jim and Cathy Albright, Larry Quilligan, Harry Dawson, George DeVincenzi, Lou Meushaw, William and Ursula Smith, Pat Mahoney, Bill Long, Frank Heaney, Jerry Wheeler, Phil Dollison, Ms. Jean Comerford, Mrs. Wanda Hart, Mr. Adam Fortunate Eagle Nordwall, and the Alcatraz Alumni Association, Inc.

Poetic Justice

I look through my cell bars, out onto the Golden Gate I see. There is nothing golden to be found. It might as well be Hell’s gate, open only to my isolation and purgatory. Waves crash upon ‘The Rock’ in an endless cycle seemingly to define my situation. Perilous are the days and nights to recount the many mistakes and sins made during my life. I am surrounded by the bay. A septic pool with strategic design to swallow the corrupt who think they can escape it. I see reflections in a black mirror that only allow me to look into my soul. I am an empty shell desperate for life. The finger of blame points at me and that is where I will find the key to change. For change is the answer, and the hope. My desperation turns to promise and salvation. I realize that it is humanity that I have forsaken. Humanity dealt with me fairly and judicially using a deck of cards defined by law. Is there reform? Can I survive or will I be consumed? Alcatraz is my damnation for punishment! Just when I thought all was lost, I hear the wailing of the seagulls. A taunting call to freedom, they have awakened my desire to live. I was restrained to reality with handcuffs and shackles. I will pay my debt to society and return to a life preserved by freedom. As I look back out across the bay, I reflect and realize that the gate into my life truly is GOLDEN.

Jerry Lewis Champion Jr.

September 19, 2008

Introduction

The year was 1986, and I was in the United States Army stationed at Fort Ord, California. I was 19 years old and for the first time I viewed the 1979 Clint Eastwood classic, ‘Escape from Alcatraz.’ Soon thereafter I headed to San Francisco with a few of my Army buddies and visited the infamous ‘ROCK.’

Caught up in the tourist trap that is known as Fisherman’s Wharf, we boarded our tour boat at Pier 39. As we crossed the cold and choppy San Francisco Bay my imagination anticipated our arrival. This mystery shrouded island prison would soon be unveiled to me. Four hours into our tour, my buddies were eager to return to the city for further adventures. I was departing Alcatraz; little did I know that it was coming with me.

Alcatraz had planted a seed in my soul. I had found myself consumed with the aura of this historic federal penitentiary. I somehow knew from my first visit to ‘The Rock’ that associated occupation would be in my future. In 1998, I applied and interviewed for a position with the Florida Department of Corrections. I was not accepted however because I was not a certified Correctional Officer. Ironically, in 1999, I was approached by an acquaintance of my brother who gave me an advertisement for employment with a county law enforcement agency. I seized the employment opportunity and was hired in January of 2000. I was sponsored and attended the Basic Recruit Corrections Academy. This was the beginning of my law enforcement career but it was not the end to my Alcatraz Island experience.

In July of 2006, my wife and I vacationed in San Francisco. On Tuesday, July 25, we visited Alcatraz Island. I was excited as I toured the island with my wife. Little had changed except for the aged and weathered conditions. Like crow’s feet, gray hair, liver spots and wrinkles, the old girl was showing her age. On this trip I met former Alcatraz Inmate Darwin Coon. Mr. Coon was selling the book he had authored, near the gift shop. We spoke briefly and another visit to Alcatraz Island was concluded.

Again, in July of 2008, my wife Alma and I, accompanied by our 8 year old granddaughter Wendy, and our son-in-law Jason, vacationed in San Francisco. On Thursday, July 24, another adventure began on Alcatraz Island. On this occasion Alcatraz had been transformed from our previous visit. A new coat of paint and a new gift shop had rejuvenated the prison. As we toured, I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Coon again. This time we spoke at great length and he shared much of his insight with me. I purchased his book and we continued our tour.

I began to wonder how this trip would impact my granddaughter. At only 8 years of age she already had a wonderful curiosity and interest of mine and her father’s job. I had lured her father into the career field of Corrections a couple of years earlier. I watched as my granddaughter wondered about the island with excitement. She asked me many questions. These were questions that were practical and of content that one would have not expected from a child. I was pleased to be able to answer her questions and know that we were sharing the same interest in this magnificent place. She truly touched my heart when later she recorded in her scrap book, This is mine and my Paw Paw’s baby.

When we returned home, I read Mr. Coons book. I then began to research more and more Alcatraz history. I read everything I could find on the internet. I purchased books, watched film and documentaries. All of this was informative but it led to many unanswered questions.

I asked myself, Who would know more about Alcatraz than those that lived, worked, and were imprisoned there? The seed that Alcatraz had planted in 1986 was beginning to grow within me. I contacted Mr. Coon and he agreed to help me with my research. This was the beginning of something that would grow to full blossom. I began to search for, and contact former Correctional Officers and Prisoners that I had read about in my research. Before long, I began to experience a domino effect resulting in one contact leading me to another.

I regret to think of all the valuable information that is lost. Had I pursued this endeavor in 1986, the abundance of information would have surely enriched the text of my research. Not very long into my research, I experienced a few embarrassing and sad situations. I would pursue a new contact only to find out that they were deceased. My contacts were in their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. There numbers were dwindling and I realized my research would have to be expedited to gather as much of the valuable information that these living historians had to share. These Correctional Officers, Prisoners and former residents are; The Fading Voices of Alcatraz.

During the writing of this book, I met and became friends with many people. Many I have met and some I have not. I never expected to become so emotionally entwined with this project. The lives of former Alcatraz Correctional Officers Lou Meushaw, Harry Dawson, and Bill Long came to an end during the writing of this book. It is they who gave validity and are the epitome to the title of this work. Those personal friendships made it that much more important to share their tale. Remember these men as you read their stories.

CHAPTER 1

Alcatraz

History In Brief

Located amid the cold and choppy waters of San Francisco Bay is the forbidding 22.86 acre island of Alcatraz. Often shrouded in fog, its history is shrouded in mystery and legend. Composed of greywacke sandstone and shale, it first featured very little vegetation. An eerie composition of sound would have been stirred by the whistling winds, pounding surf, and the chanting of the various species of nesting birds. Strong bay currents would have made the one and a quarter mile approach to the island uninviting. The island’s first visitors would have been greeted by obstacles such as sheer cliffs, uneven terrain, and tidal pools. Over time, she has been shaped and tamed to a degree.

Prior to the 18th century, the Coast Miwok and Ohlone Indians inhabited the area. Their occupation of the area had existed for the previous 5,000 years. One can only imagine their unwritten accounts of the island. The island may have served as a temporary camp for hunting and fishing parties. Nesting birds would have been hunted and their eggs would have made for easy plunder. Schooling species of fish would have been abundant. Perhaps the frequently hostile conditions of the island could have been a place of solace. It is hard to imagine, but for those in a capsized boat the alternative of death in an icy cold bay or temporary sanctuary on the island would have been an easy decision. The long wait for rescue would have been surreal.

The Bay Area would subsequently be visited by European explorers and Russian sea otter hunting expeditions. The island would have been a prominent landmark or buoy of sorts to the visiting navigators. These foreign visitors conducted trade with the Ohlone and Miwok Indians. The natives were pivotal to their exploration and hunting in the area serving as guides and teachers. Life for the native Indians and use of Alcatraz Island would soon change.

On August 5, 1775, the Spanish packet ship San Carlos entered the bay. This visit would prove to be detrimental for the native people. For the island, it would give birth to her infamous name and lead to her development. La Isla de los Alcatraces or Island of the Pelicans, the name given first to Yerba Buena Island and then transferred. The name was given by Spanish Naval Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala. The bay was mapped and explored aboard the San Carlos’ launch by Ayala’s pilot, Don Jose de Canizares.

On August 12, 1775, La Isla de los Alcatraces was mapped by Canizares. Soon, an influx of Spanish settlers would occupy the area along with the introduction of Catholicism. A mission was established (Mission Delores which stands today as the oldest structure in San Francisco) and the native people were forced into compliance with the newly introduced religion. The native people either conformed to the new culture or fled the area to secure and practice their ancient ways. Alcatraz Island probably served as a temporary refuge for exiled natives as they escaped the influx.

The Spanish occupation would span from 1776-1821. Many military fortifications and early settlements would be built in the area. The labor would come primarily from the native people. This labor would hinge on the verge of slavery. Alcatraz would sustain through this period as the Spanish did not occupy nor fortify the island.

The Mexican era would span from 1822-1846. The Spanish were at war with France and during this time struggles for independence within several Spanish colonies occurred. The Mexicans won their independence in 1821. New Spain would be renamed Mexico and the migration of many to Mexico’s new department called Alta California began. These newcomers were of Spanish and Mexican descent. They began calling themselves Californios. Through the new transition of power, Alcatraz remained idle once more.

On April 20, 1846, William (Julian) Workman, a prominent Englishman petitioned the Mexican California Governor Pio Pico for possession of Alcatraz Island. Workman and the Governor were

The Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters was constructed in 1909. The Lighthouse is 84 feet in height and continues to operate as the oldest Lighthouse on the Pacific Coast. The Keeper’s Quarters was a triplex for three families. The home burned in 1970, during the Indians of All Tribes occupation.

friends. Workman was co-owner of a thriving cattle and agricultural ranch known as Rancho La Puente (located 20 miles east of present day Los Angeles). Upon his death, Governor Pio Pico would be laid to rest in the family cemetery at Rancho La Puente. On June 8, 1846, Workman was granted his petition of Alcatraz Island with the understanding that he was to erect a lighthouse on the island. Workman in turn immediately gave the island to his son-in-law Francis Temple. During the short ownership, a lighthouse was never built.

The Bear Flag Revolt began on June 14, 1846, as American pioneer settlers were disgruntled under the existing Mexican rule. This small group of Americans led by William Ide essentially claimed California in protest, from Mexico. A flag designed with the oversight of William L. Todd (the nephew of future Presidential wife and First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln) bore stripes, a star, a grizzly bear, and the words CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC. The flag was flown to mark the occasion, hence the name, The Bear Flag Revolt. In 1911, the official flag of California was adopted bearing a similar design. Unbeknownst to the pioneers was the fact that a declaration of war had already been made between the United States and Mexico on May 13, 1846. On July