Hellraisers Journal: Eugene V. Debs Transferred from Moundsville Prison to Federal Penitentiary at Atlanta

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Quote EVD Enter Prison Untamed, Ipl Str p11, Apr 14, 1919———-

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday June 15, 1919
Atlanta, Georgia – Comrade Debs Now an Inmate at Federal Penitentiary

From The West Virginian of June 14, 1919:

DEBS IS MOVED FROM MOUNDSVILLE
—–
Marshall Ned Smith Took Famous Prisoner
to Federal Prison at Atlanta.
—–

(By Associated Press.)

Eugene Victor Debs, EVD, crpd, Liberator, May 1919

WHEELING, W. Va., June 14.-Eugene V. Debs, former Socialist candidate for President, who was placed in the Moundsville penitentiary two months ago on being sentenced to a term of ten years for violation of the Federal Espionage law, this morning is an inmate of the Federal prison at Atlanta, Ga.

Debs, who was taken by surprise by the action, was removed from the penitentiary yesterday morning, it was learned today, by United States Marshal Ned Smith and deputies and brought to Wheeling where he was placed on a train for Atlanta by way of Cincinnati.

Up to early today the reasons for Debs’ removal had not been stated officially but it was reported that the greater safety of the Southern prison had something to do with the move.

While in Wheeling and on the train en route to Cincinnati every effort was made by the officers to keep the identity of their prisoner a secret.

———-

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Hellraisers Journal: From the Ohio Socialist: Eugene Debs’ First Day In West Virginia Prison as Told by David Karsner

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Quote EVD, Debs Address to the Court, Sept 14, 1918———-

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday April 17, 1919
Moundsville, West Virginia – With Eugene Debs at West Virginia State Prison

From The Ohio Socialist of April 16, 1919:

Debs’ First Day In Prison

By DAVID KARSHNER [KARSNER].

EVD On Way to Prison, OH Sc p1, Apr 16, 1919

Moundsville, W. Va., April 14.-Eugene Victor Debs will sleep tonight, not in a cage like a wild beast, as he slept last night, his first night in the West Virginia State Prison, but in a little room in the hospital of the prison, for “Our Gene” has been appointed a hospital attendant, and he has a separate room to himself, with a white iron bed, newly clothed, a table and a chair.

Shortly after 11 o’clock this morning Debs was taken from his cell, No. 51, in the second tier of the south wing, to the prison baths. He was examined by Dr. O. P. Wilson, the prison physician, and then donned prison underclothing and the prison uniform. But when I saw Debs late this afternoon the prison suit was not unbecoming to him. It was well fitting and contained the tiniest check. It is the kind of a suit that anybody might purchase at a cheap clothing store.

Warden Joseph Z. Terrill explained that he had at first thought of placing Debs in the prison library because of his knowledge of books and literature, but he did not do this because he thought that he might be too much subjected to curiosity. As hospital attendant Debs will have a rom entirely to himself. The room is of a good size, larger than most rooms of the Bronx apartments. It is on the ground floor. There are two ample windows one facing the south, and one the east. There are no bars at his windows. The door will be open at all times, and Debs has full privilege to come and go as he pleases. He has full and complete access to the prison yard and the lawns.

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Hellraisers Journal: Eugene Debs: “I enter the prison door a flaming revolutionist, my head unbent, my spirit untamed…”

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Quote EVD Enter Prison Untamed, Ipl Str p11, Apr 14, 1919———-

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
—–

(Special to The Indianapolis Star.)

EVD, Bstn Glb p3, Sept 13, 1918

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.

———-

[Photograph added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Eugene Debs: “I enter the prison door a flaming revolutionist, my head unbent, my spirit untamed…””