#langstaff

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“TWO PRISONERS FLEE AS JAIL FARM FORCE HELPS TO FIGHT FIRE,” Toronto Globe. July 9, 1921. Page 1.   ---- Lightning Bolt Hits Big Barn and Starts Flames - Officials, Neighbors, Guards and Prisoners Rally to Battle Blaze and Rescue Stock - John Stone and Norman Coulter Seize Chance to Escape in Stolen Auto ---- MAJOR MORRISON LAUDS MEN'S AID --- Two men serving terms escaped from the Jail Farm yesterday afternoon. While other prisoners, guards. and neighboring farmers were fighting the flames of a burning barn, John Stone and Norman Coulter, young men recently committed to the Institution, helped themselves to one of the many automobiles round the scene, and made off. In the excitement their absence was not noticed for a time.

The automobile the escaping men stole was a 1915 Ford with a brass band in front. Its number was 5744. Full descriptions of the men have been sent all round the country, and it is confidently expected that within a very short time they will be back in custody. 

Fighting the Flames. About 2 o'clock the barn on the northern part of the farm, formerly part of the Russell estate, was struck. by lightning, and Superintendent Morrison marshaled all hands to fight the flames and rescue the 200 hogs quartered in the building. Prisoners and guards worked with such spirit that all but three pigs were saved. Within 25 minutes after the flames had been discovered the roof of the barn fell in, and rendered further rescue work impossible. 

While other prisoners, without thought of escape, bent their efforts on rescue work, Stone and Coulter took advantage of the situation. 

Description of Men On June 24 Stone was committed to the Farm for two years less one day - the maximum sentence - on convictions of theft and receiving and criminal negligence, He was 19 years of age. He is described by Major Morrison as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weight 124 pounds and of fair complexion. His address in Toronto was 1315 Dundas street west. 

Norman Coulter was committed for one year about the same time as Stone. He is 17 years. of age, 51-4 feet in height, fair complexion, and weighs 103 pounds. His father lives at Fredonia. New York, and he has relatives at Newmarket.

Both men were in their overall uniform when they escaped. Neither had hats. One had his hair closely cropped. 

Officials Hard at Work. At the time of the fire Provincial Prison Inspector W. W. Dunlop. City Property Commissioner Chisholm and Hon. H. C. Nixon's Secretary were visiting the farm. All took part in the rescue work. 

From the many cars parked around the farm at the time the prisoners stole the one belonging to W. L. Rennie, merchant, at Elgin It was at first reported that two cars had been stolen and 10 prisoners escaped, but on the roll being called only two were missing. 

Praises Prisoners' Work. Major Morrison was very much pleased with the way the prisoners acted. Regardless of smoke and flames they rushed to rescue the imprisoned animals. No urging was necessary. The men went voluntarily to their task..

The barn which was destroyed was an old building shaped like the letter "L." Another building completing the square, and the new piggery slightly to the north, were saved by the good work of the fire-fighters. 

Worst Storm in Section. The fire was still smouldering Iast night when The Globe visited the scene. There was very little left of the once big barn, which had only recently been overhauled and new pens installed. Quite a number from the nearby points were at the scene of the outbreak. Speaking to The Globe, an old resident and it was the worst storm in his time in the section. There were two bad downpours with thunder and lightning, one at noon and the other about 2.30.

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“To Be On Jail Farm By End of the Year,” Toronto Star. October 13, 1911. Page 2. ---- Controllers Ask That Vagrants and First Offenders Be Sent There ----

‘We hope to be on the jail farm by the end of the yer,’ said the Mayor to the controllers after they had agreed to-day to add vagrants and certain classes of first offenders to the class of prisoners to be kept there.

‘It should not be restricted to inebriates,’ said the Mayor.

‘What aoyt buildings?’ asked Controller Ward. ‘Won’t we need new buildings?’

‘We have enough to start with. We’ll put the prisoners in the farm house,’ replied the Mayor, ‘like they do at Guelph. They have only lost eight prisoners at Guelph.’

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“Declares Prisoners Should Wash Dishes,” Toronto Star. November 24, 1931. Page 1. ---- Controller Against Proposed Purchasers of Machine ---- Controller Robbins is at a loss to know why a dish-washing machine should be purchased for the municipal jail farm at Langstaff.

The property commissioner reported to the controllers to-day on quotations for such a machine at a cost of $945.

‘Dish-washing machine!’ exclaimed Controller Robbins.

‘Surely they’ve lots of time up there to wash dishes.’

The matter was left over for the commissioner to explain his reasons for wanting it.

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“Prisoners Obstreperous,” Toronto Star. August 22, 1931. Page 24. ---- Richmond Hill, Aug. 22. - Two inebriates who were being taken by Chief Sidney Barraclough and Provincial Constable Harry Lemon to the jail farm at Langstaff decided en route that they did not like their driver. In unison they succeeded in tearing the chief’s collar and in pulling his hat down over his eyes, but the officers quickly overpowered them.

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“Chief of Brampton Loses His Appeal,” Toronto Star. September 24, 1931. Page 01. ---- ‘Obvious That Defence Totally Untrue,’ Says Justice Magee ---- The appeal of Andrew Herkes, chief of police of Brampton, against an award to John Mitchell, auto mechnics at Langstaff, of $250 damaged for wrongful arrest, failed at Osgoode Hall to-day.

Herkes succeeded, however, in having the damages reduced by $75 and was awarded costs of the appeal.

Mitchell contended that Herkes kept him in the cells for a night at Brampton without a valid warrant.

Herkes maintained that a Samuel Mitchell told him that John Mitchell had stolen two radios from him. He obtained a warrant from a Peel county J. P., but when he called at John Mitchell’s house he told him he could not arrest him until he had a warrant issued in York county. He said Mitchell, rather than have any trouble, and in order to conceal the matter from his relatives, offered to come at once. Herkes denied he was actually arrested.

G. T. Walsh, K.C., for Mitchell, said he was fed on bread and water in jail.

Mr. Justice Magee: ‘It is obvious the defence is totally untrue.’

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“Guards Catch Two Fugitives,” The Globe and Mail. April 25, 1939. Page 04. ---- Langstaff, April 24. (Special). - Three hours of freedom was all that Norman Cook, 22, and James Martin, 21, both of Toronto, enjoyed today after making their escape at noon from the Municipal Jail Farm. Guards found them near the railway tracks north of the farm. No resistance was offered. Cook and Martin were working in a field when they made a successful break for freedom. The former had served one month of a four-months’ sentence for assault, and his companion had served the same period on a three-months’ sentence for theft.

[langstaff]

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