Turnkey John J. Lanahan

Turnkey, John J. Lanahan  
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On this day in Baltimore Police History, July 3, 1919, we lost our brother, Police Officer John J. Lanahan, to gunfire based on the following:

Turnkey John Lanahan's tragic shooting death by a prisoner on July 3, 1919, signaled the end of his life. Prior to this incident, Lanahan had gained significant recognition for his role in an unforgettable event involving the renowned escape artist Harry Houdini. In 1916, Lanahan became widely known for successfully securing Houdini in shackles, handcuffs, chains, etc. before placing him and securing a jail cell in the Baltimore Police Department's Central District, a jail cell from which the master of escape managed to free himself, captivating audiences worldwide. This jail cell escape was a publicity stunt to gain attention for the straightjacket escape Harry would be doing the next day. That escape drew crowds of upwards of 50,000 men, women, and children who jammed shoulder to shoulder in downtown Baltimore to see Harry Houdini, the famous escape artist, give the greatest free show that up until that time the city had never seen. The anticipation and excitement surrounding Houdini's pending straitjacket escape reached a fevered pitch as word spread throughout the city. People from all walks of life eagerly awaited the spectacle, excited to witness firsthand the incredible skills of the renowned magician. The atmosphere was electric, with an air of anticipation and wonder that only Houdini could create.

BURGLAR KILLS TURNKEY

Newspapers of the times reported on July 4, 1919, p. . 14

Turnkey John J. Lanahan, 57 years old, of the Central Police Station, whose home is at 2028 Robb St., Northeast Baltimore, was shot to death at 8:55 o'clock yesterday morning [3 July 1919] by Frank Wozniak, 31 years old, an unnaturalized Russian pole, who the night before burglarized the office of the American Railway Express Company's office at Sudbrook, on the Western Maryland Railroad.

The murder of Turnkey Lannahan happened before the eyes of Lieutenant . W. F. Klinefelter, and patrolmen Crass and Traupe had taken Wozniak to the police station for examination as to his possession of watches and jewelry. Which he was trying to dispose of to a Harrison Street secondhand dealer.

Two shots were fired by the pole, one entering Turnkey Lanahan's breast and the other going through the open window of a petition and lodging into a plastered wall of the signal operator's office.

Headquarters Detective J. F. Dougherty, of the homicide squad, in making an investigation after the shooting, obtained information indicating that Wozniak fired the shots with the idea of affecting his escape after realizing that imprisonment was unavoidable.

Slayer admits Robberies

The Pole was questioned yesterday afternoon by Capt. A. L. League of the Central District, and he admitted that for several weeks he had gone out on thieving expeditions.

He confessed that he went to the Sudbrook Station Wednesday night, broke into the office, and rifled express packages, seeking money or jewelry. He made his escape with two boxes containing watches, and when he attempted to sell the watches yesterday, Patrolman Crass arrested him. Crass did not call for the patrol wagon, and as the prisoner offered no resistance, he walked him to the police station.

Wozniak was before the desk in the usual manner, and there was nothing in his attitude to indicate that he contemplated either escape or attack. He gave his name, age, and the address of 1637 Eastern Ave. He said later, however, that he had not lived at the Eastern Avenue address for several weeks, and his statement was verified by the police of the Eastern District.

Lieut. Kleinfelder called turnkey Lannahan, and in his usual jovial, sympathetic manner, Lannahan approached the prisoner.

"Come, my boy, that's me. See what you've got," said the turnkey as he raised Wozniak's hand and started to feel the pockets of his coat. At this juncture, patrolman Crash was standing a few feet from the prisoner, and patrolman Ttraupe was standing at the entrance to the core door leading to the lockup. Patrolman Kerns and Kelly, housemen, were behind the desk, and Capt. League was at his desk.

Backs away and fires

As Turnkey Lannahan raised his hands Wozniak backed away, drew a pistol from his right hip pocket, and fired two shots. One bullet struck the turnkey, and the other struck the wall. Crass and Troupe pounced upon Wozniak, and Capt. League withdrew a pistol and ran from his desk. The prisoner was beaten into helplessness and was dragged away. His arms were held by four policemen.

The pistol was taken from his hand, and a second weapon was taken from his pocket. 20 bullets were found in another pocket. The central ambulance was on a call, but no time was lost in getting turnkey Lannahan to Mercy Hospital. Policemen carried him to the automobile of Frank H. Cook, 318 North Charles St., and Mr. Cook sped to Mercy Hospital. Dr. Eustace H. Allen, of the surgical staff, pronounced turnkey Lannahan dead. The bullet penetrated his heart, causing an internal hemorrhage.

Had it not been for the manner in which Wozniak was overpowered by the patrolman troupe and Crass, the murderer of the turnkey would have been shot by Capt. League. The prisoner was badly mauled, and he was taken to Mercy Hospital to have his injuries attended to. After being returned to the police station, he was questioned.

Statement made by Paul

"I am a native of Wienstow, Russian Poland, and I have no relatives in this country," was told Capt. League. "I came here in 1914 and landed in New York, where I lived for several months; later, I went to Cumberland, Maryland, and I have worked on farms in Western Maryland. I came to Baltimore two years ago but never had a regular home here. I used to stop at the home of a friend on Eastern Avenue, near Broadway. I am a member of no organization, and I have never taken out any form of naturalization papers. I can't say why I shot the man, and I don't know why I pulled the pistol from my pocket."

Jewelry was found in Wozniak's pocket, and he admitted that he had robbed homes in the neighborhood of Back River. He also said that he was formally employed at a South Baltimore shipbuilding plant. Questioned about the burglary at Sudbrook station by the postal inspector Brill, Wozniak said that he went to the station Wednesday night and entered the place by breaking open a window. He got boxes of watches consigned by a New York firm to Robert Corbett and his son at Pikesville.

Marshall Carter and members of the police board were shocked when they heard of the murder of Turnkey Lannahan. Gen. Riggs and police Commissioner E. F. Burke are cognizant of the work required of a turnkey because of their visits to the police stations at night. Gen. Riggs has often witnessed the difficulties experienced by turnkeys and footmen of patrols in the handling of prisoners.

Turnkey Lannahan was regarded as one of the most efficient turnkeys in the department. He was known particularly because of his kindness and consideration for prisoners, and he always tried to cheer them on and make things as easy as possible for them while in his custody. He was appointed to the department 19 years ago. He had been one of the alternating turnkeys at the central police station for seven years. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Lannahan, two sons, who are in the armed forces of the United States, and two daughters.

States attorney Harry W. Nice, coroner W. T. Reilly of the Central District, and assistant state's attorney Siegel conducted the inquest held at the central police station last night. The witnesses included Lieutenant . W. F. Kleinfelder, Patrolman Crass, Troupe, Turns, and Kelly, all of the central district, and Dr. H. J. Mauled, who performed the postmortem examination. He told the jury that the bullet caused internal hemorrhaging and that it struck the turnkey's heart and left lung.

The jury, of which John A. McDivitt was foreman, found that "turnkey Jay. Jay. Lanahan came to his death on July 3, 1919, at 9 AM from a gunshot wound at the hand of Frank Wozniak." Comments were prepared, and Wozniak was committed to jail pending his trial in the criminal court. Wozniak was brought before the jury, but he said, "He was in no condition to make a statement."

Because of the seriousness of the crime, State Attorney Nice declared that the case would be set for trial early in September and that no delay would interfere.

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