This Week in Texas Prison History

February 17:   

1911 - Austin - Douglas Menefee, age 25, who escaped from the State penitentiary at Rusk on the night of Dec. 1, 1910, and has since succeeded in evading the officers, walked into the office of the Board of Pardons in the Capitol at 9:30 o'clock this morning, made known his identity to Commissioners Kirven and Hagen, and informed them that the bitterness of prison life was preferable to the constant mental strain and worry he had experienced since making his escape. Young Menefee was convicted of murder in the District Court of Cherokee County in December, 1905, and sentenced to ten years imprisonment. It is said that he was to have been pardoned Christmas 1910, had he not escaped before Gov. Thomas M. Campbell signed his release. Weary, for sure, yet hopeful with all, Menefee appeared relieved after he had been granted a personal audience by Gov. O. B. Colquitt today and explained to the State's Chief Executive that he had walked nearly all the way from Anderson County to make a personal appeal for liberty and the right to return to his aged mother and comfort and support her during her declining years. He told a straight forward story, made no attempt to excuse his act, but pleaded that seventeen months in jail and four years in the penitentiary to say nothing of the mental anguish endured had proven and awful penalty for his crime. He told of having planned his escape for months and his determination to plead with the new Governor in person after the former Chief Executive had, he thought, disregarded his petition for pardon. He was furnished a railroad ticket to Huntsville by the Governor, also with a letter to the superintendent of the State prison at that point, and left at 4 o'clock to enter once more upon serving his term, or as much of it as Gov. Colquitt shall decrease. Menefee was very proud of the fact that Gov. Colquitt trusted him to go back to the penitentiary without guarding and of the remark which the Governor made to him: "My boy, you have acted honorably, and have done right in coming to me and giving yourself up." Hon. W. M. Imboden, who was District Attorney when Menefee was convicted, met him on the street this morning, and when Menefee said he was going to the Governor to surrender Mr. Imboden was so astonished he could scarcely speak. At the Governor's office they again met and Mr. Imboden introduced Menefee to several people. Menefee says after his escape he walked to the saw mill districts, where he has since been employed. (Clifton Record, February 24, 1922) NOTE: (On May 17, 1911 Gov. Colquitt signed a pardon on Menefee. Abilene Semi-Weekly Reporter)