Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday April 15, 1919
The Journey of Eugene Debs from Terre Haute to Moundsville Prison
From The Indianapolis Sunday Star of April 13, 1919:
Debs Leaves Alone on Way to Serve Sentence
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(Special to The Indianapolis Star.)
TERRE HAUTE, Ind., April 12,-When Eugene V. Debs was advised by long distance telephone today that no Federal officer would be sent for him, but that he would be expected to report as early as possible to the authorities in Cleveland, O., he made arrangements to depart at 10 o’clock tonight. He engaged his berth on the Big Four train, then quietly proceeded to put his house in order for his period of absence.
Mr. Debs observed his farewell dinner at home with only Mrs. Debs and her mother at the table. He was surprised when advised that he would be permitted to report voluntarily to the Federal Building in Cleveland. It had been thought that an officer would come to accompany him to the prison at Moundsville, W. Va., where he is to serve ten years.
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[Photograph added.]
From The Indianapolis Star of April 14, 1919:
DEBS BEGINS PRISON TERM
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Declares He Enters Cell
a “Flaming Revolutionist”
With “Head Unbent.”
Butte Daily Bulletin April 14, 1919
MOUNDSVILLE, W. Va., April 13.-Eugene V. Debs, many times Socialist candidate for President, entered the West Virginia Penitentiary here late late tonight and began serving his ten-year sentence for violation of the espionage act. As the prisoner stood in the doorway of the penitentiary he said:
I enter the prison door a flaming revolutionist, my head unbent, my spirit untamed, my soul unconquerable.
Debs answered the required questions put by Warden Terrell, who assigned the prisoner to cell fifty-one.
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CLEVELAND, O., April 13.-Eugene V. Debs gave himself up to the Federal authorities here this morning and a few hours later started for the Federal Prison at Moundsville, W. Va., in charge of United States Marshal Charles W. Lapp to begin serving his ten-year sentence for violation of the espionage act.
Debs was found guilty by a Federal court jury here on Sept. 12 last on charges of violating the espionage act by making utterances against the government in a speech at Canton, O.
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Eugene V. Debs, the Socialist leader, passed through Indianapolis late Saturday night on his way to Cleveland, O., where he was to surrender himself to the United States district attorney, at 9 o’clock yesterday morning.
Mr. Debs left Terre haute at 10 o’clock Saturday night and his train arrived at the Union Station here at 11:40. He left the train and walked on the station platform for a breath of fresh air. He talked for a minute with a reporter. He said he had arranged to forego all endeavor until he has finished serving his sentence at the Moundsville, W. Va., prison.
On Way to Cleveland.
[Mr. Debs said:]
The United States district attorney at Cleveland called me over the long distance telephone at Terre Haute this afternoon, telling me to come to Cleveland. I told him I would take the first train to Cleveland, and here I am. I will arrive there at 7 o’clock Sunday morning and will give myself up to the district attorney at his office at 9 o’clock.
Mr. Debs seemed to be in good health and spirits. He was still on the platform when the train started and he boarded the train with a cheery
good-by to you. I am sorry I can not talk to you longer and I hope to be able to talk to all the people of Indianapolis some time again.
Mr. Debs was convicted in the United States Circuit Court at Cleveland, O., for violation of the espionage laws.
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