On This Date in Minnesota History: April 8

April 8, 1914 – Martin Flanagan, former chief, and Fred Turner, former detective of the St. Paul police force, are inmates of the state penitentiary at Stillwater. The two men, who were recently convicted of receiving bribes from disorderly women (brothel owners), were received at the prison at 10 a.m. today.

Now known as No. 4496 and No. 4497, both men were assigned cells without delay.

Matt Flanagan¹

Flanagan and Turner left the Ramsey County Jail at 8:50 this morning in a closed automobile. With them were two deputy sheriffs and each carried a small grip containing personal comforts. Such things are permitted at the prison and the deputies brought the grips.

Flanagan was in good spirits, but Turner was depressed. Flanagan before entering automobile bade a cheery goodbye to onlookers. Turner shook hands all around.

Flanagan’s last visitors at the county jail were his wife and daughter. Turner saw his family Tuesday and none of them was on hand to bid him goodbye this morning.

At the prison doors John T. Whalen, assistant deputy warden, met the two men and gave a receipt to the deputies acknowledging their arrival at the prison. Whalen formerly lived in White Bear Lake, which was Turner’s home, and greeted Turner saying, “I am sorry to see you here, Fred.”

“So am I,” answered the detective.

Both men were photographed and the usual measurements taken. Each was given a clean shave and haircut. Warden Wolf will decide what the men would do while incarcerated. It will be Good Friday before the men have an opportunity to speak with each other again. Convicts have their only opportunity to converse together on holidays.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Flanagan and Turner Are in Penitentiary; Former St. Paul Officials Taken to Stillwater in Closed Auto. Unusual Formalities of Receiving Prisoners Are Gone Through With. Flanagan in Good Spirits, but Turner Still Is Depressed.”; April 9, 1914; p. 9.

¹http://www.spphs.com/history/chiefs.php

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