Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 11, 1946.
ATTEMPTED JAIL BREAK-OUT FAILS
Digs Mortar Loose From Stone Block
Man Held In Theft of Lodge Money Caught Trying To Escape.
Bayard K. Lucas, 60, on trial in Porter circuit court on a charge of robbing the Valparaiso Lodge of Elks October 30 last, sought to break jail Sunday night.
Sheriff Harry Borg said Lucas used a sharp piece of steel taken from a bed cot to remove the mortar from a large block of stone in the south wall of the bull pen.
Julius Bornholt, living just across the alley from the jail, made the discovery. He heard a scraping noise and notified the sheriff.
Investigation revealed the mortar from a large block of stone had been almost entirely removed. Lucas had turned on a faucet in the bull pen to drown any noise of his operations.
Under questioning of Borg and Chief of Police Jerome Frakes Lucas at first denied he had tried to remove the stone. Later he admitted he planned a get-a-away tonight. When questioned Lucas’ hands and shoes were covered with limestone dust.
Broke Jail Twice
According to local officers Lucas’ FBI record shows successful jail breaks from Terre haute and Vincennes jails.
Lucas’ attempted delivery will probably result in speeding plans for remodeling the jail. The county council recently approved a $7,000 request by the county commissioners to make needed changes at the local institution. These plans are now before authorities at Indianapolis. Among changes contemplated are construction of a guard walk three feet wide, separating the bull pen from the outer walls, which will make escapes more difficult, and an extension of the mezzanine floor to allow for greater separation of prisoners.
Testimony relating to the purported jail break by Lucas was given on the witness stand this morning when Lucas’ trial was resumed after several days’ delay, Sheriff Borg and Police Chief Frakes were the witnesses Frakes also told of Lucas’ arrest at Ottawa and his connection with the local Elks’ robbery through a membership application of the Valparaiso lodge found on his person.
Finger Prints Found
Frakes said Lucas’ guilt was established when he obtained a set of finger prints from Ottawa, and one of the prints, that of the little finger on the right hand, corresponded with a print taken from a g;ass jar in the Elks lodge which had been rifled of $50 in pennies. Frankes said he talked with Lucas several times and the defendant admitted being in Valparaiso the night of the robbery, but denied knowing where the Elks’ lodge was located.
Larry Graham, bartender at the Elks, was recalled by Prosecutor G.L. Burns. Graham said he dusted off the glass jar before he left early on the morning of the robbery.
Ernest Karow, former employe of the Elks’ club, testified he saw a man answering Lucas’ description on the stairs in the Elks’ building the night of the robbery. Later he saw the same man the next morning on the street.
Lucas took the stand shortly before the noon hour, and under questioning by his attorney, George Bush, of Chesterton, admitted being in Valparaiso on Oct. 29 and 30. He said he stayed at the Valpo hotel. He said he walked around the city during the afternoon, then read a magazine and rested until evening. Later he played cards with two men and then read his magazine before retiring. The next day he said he visited the university district where he attended school in 1907. He remarked the Hill district did not look “natural.” Around 10 a.m. he boarded a bus for Hammond. He contended he did not know where the Elks’ building was located.
