Released Prisoner Arrested at the Gates
Richard Perkison walked out of the penitentiary a free man only to be immediately detained by an officer from Nebraska.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
To answer for a crime committed in far-away Nebraska years ago, Richard Perkison, a convict in the state penitentiary, was arrested this morning by Sheriff J. W. Hodges of Nuckolls County, Nebraska, as he stepped from the prison a free man. Requisition papers issued by the governor of Nebraska were honored by Governor McBride, and Sheriff Hodges arrived in Walla Walla last Friday to wait for Perkison’s time to expire. As Perkison stepped from the prison, the sheriff read the warrant, which charges him with obtaining money under false pretenses. Perkison was somewhat surprised at the sudden change of his fortunes, but aside from asking that he be returned to his old quarters instead of being taken to the county jail for safe keeping, he made no comment. Perkison was convicted of obtaining money under false pretenses in Lewis County, being sentenced to a year and a half in the penitentiary. He has been considered a model prisoner and often expressed his determination to lead a straight life. A pathetic incident is connected with his case: early last week, his wife, who resides at Castle Rock, arrived in Olympia in an effort to close up several accounts outstanding against her husband. She was a timid, retiring woman who came to secure advice and help, hoping she had been successful; this new development will likely bring grief to her humble home.
“As Perkison stepped from the prison the sheriff read the warrant... Perkison was somewhat surprised at the sudden change of his fortunes.”
The practice of 'double jeopardy' through out-of-state warrants remains a heavy burden for those navigating the justice system. Perkison’s story captures the perpetual cycle of debt and legal entanglement that often follows formerly incarcerated individuals long after their 'time is served.'
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