Robert Irving became one of the nation's most noted "lifers" for consistently being denied parole or pardon because he was convicted of matricide. In 1934, he was the sole inmate of the old prison on Mechanic Street after the facility moved north on Cooper Street. He was a general caretaker and salvager of any materials that could be sold from the old facility to support the new one. Robert Irving was finally granted a full pardon in 1935 by Gov. Frank Fitzgerald who said it was "not a special favor but simple justice." He was released on May 11, after being in prison 46 years to the date. Robert Irving went to work for the Ford Motor Co. for a short time before becoming ill and eventually being turned over to the Eloise State Hospital where he died at age 80 in 1945.
Death Certificate
Name: Robert Irving Latimer
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 29 Aug 1945
Event Place: Eloise, Wayne, Michigan, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 79
Marital Status: Single
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1865
Birthplace: Michigan
Birth Year (Estimated): 1866
Father's Name: Robert F Latimer
Mother's Name: Marietta Holland
GS Film number: 001973151
Digital Folder Number: 005363517
Image Number: 02283
Jackson Citizen Patriot, February 19, 2014.
JACKSON, MI – There is a scrap book of newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia.
There were limited family stories and the occasional hushed or seemingly forbidden mention of the reviled Robert Irving Latimer.
But it was not until recently that the Hester family of Muskegon learned the full story of their grandfather George Haight, the largely forgotten gatekeeper Latimer poisoned to death in 1893 at Jackson's old state prison.
More than 120 years overdue, Haight is at last getting the honor he deserves.
Haight's name will be added in May to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., two curving walls carved with the names of more than 19,000 U.S. officers killed in the line of duty.
The announcement earlier this month concluded an almost year-long mission of Michigan Department of Corrections Officer Jeff Reasoner, who began researching Haight last summer with the hope of righting a generations-old wrong.
Haight's name was not listed as the department's earliest on-duty death. The state did not even have a record of his employment, and his death was often over-shadowed by the much-publicized exploits of the well-known prisoner who killed him.
"That's been my motivation, to put the emphasis on (Haight), and not on the prisoner, who was sensationalized and basically turned into a celebrity," Reasoner said.
He collected enough information to submit an application to the memorial in December and with help from genealogy aficionados, after a few dead ends and following months of investigation, Reasoner located and contacted Dick Hester, 83, and his daughter, Kathleen Evans, 55. He confirmed they are relatives so they could share in the spring commemoration.
"I think it was wonderful of Mr. Reasoner to carry this through," an appreciative Hester said last week from his home in Muskegon. "He was so persistent in his attempts to learn more on the situation. He became the expert for sure on my great-grandfather's experience."
To see the whole project come together pleased Reasoner. "It makes me one happy guy."
A proud member of the select, statewide department Honor Guard, Reasoner clearly takes to heart the guard's mission – "Honor, integrity and service."
"I think that's what the family deserves, a little bit of recognition," he said of the Haight ancestors.
Reasoner, a transportation officer based in Jackson, plans to attend the "unveiling" ceremony with members of the Honor Guard during National Police Week, beginning May 11. The annual event draws thousands of officers. "It is a very moving experience," Reasoner said.
Evans, her sisters and others, including her father, if his health allows, also will make the trek. They plan to drive, stay with family in the area and participate as much as is allowed.
Though they did not know George Haight, the recent developments have inspired the family to delve deeper into their history, Evans said. Information Reasoner provided rounded out the stories, said Evans, program manager at the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission.
"It really brings more personality to … our relatives who are gone."
They seem more real, she said. "Once you know what your ancestors have done, and what they went through, it kind of lends some strength to the rest of us who are still here."
Evan's paternal grandmother, Margaret Hester, who died in 1983, was the daughter of George Haight's son, Allen Haight.
Allen Haight was a rider with the Pony Express and worked as a telegrapher for the railroad when Latimer used prussic acid to poison his 67-year-old father to death on March 27, 1893, according to a 2012 blog posting. It was written by New Jersey Department of Corrections Major Wayne Sanderson, who interested Reasoner in Haight.
Latimer administered the poison to flee the stone walls, which he successfully did – for about one day.
Latimer was serving a life sentence for shooting to death his mother, Mary, in 1889 and was suspected of killing his father, who died mysteriously 15 months earlier, according to a 2010 Citizen Patriot story.
Despite these facts, Latimer earned favor among authorities, was almost glorified by the press for his "skillful" and risky behavior, and served about 45 years of a life sentence before a governor pardoned him in 1935.
Never was he prosecuted for Haight's death, and a newspaper story about his release made no mention of it.
This does not sit well with Evans. "You murdered your mother. You are suspected of murdering your father. You murdered the gatekeeper. And you get a pardon?"
Hester never met his great-grandfather, but he was a boy when the governor let Latimer free. "I do recall, when I was very young, my dad talking to my mother about how upset her dad was when Latimer was pardoned," said Hester, retired from the Michigan Employment Security Commission.
Evans said her grandmother talked little of George Haight. "She didn't like to ruffle feathers. She liked to stay positive," Evans said, but Evans remembers the way family members spoke the prisoner's name. "You heard the word Latimer, and there was always a lot of disgust."
Late last year, Reasoner sent Hester an email, and Reasoner said Hester responded in less than an hour.
"I thought it was interesting that someone would be looking into that kind of ancient history," Hester said.
The family unearthed a scrapbook tucked safely in a closet. It contained articles and photographs, including one of Haight, his wife, and three of his children.
This solved an issue for Reasoner, who had been instructed to find a picture of George Haight so the corrections department could update its memorial wall of fallen employees. Until Reasoner's work, Warden T.B. Catlin and Deputy Warden Fred Menhennett were thought to be the earliest of those the department had lost.
The slight will soon be corrected, and for this, the Hesters are grateful – even if more than a century has passed.
"It really does mean a lot to our family," Evans said.
From the Saline, Michigan Observer, Thursday, April 6, 1893, under the section for news from around the state of Michigan:
Escaped-Captured. R. Irving Latimer, the Brutal Matricide, Escapes From Jackson State Prison after having poisoned two of the guards, one of whom died – the villain captured after a 20 mile tramp across country:
Never in the history of Jackson has that town been so wrought up as it was over the news that R. Irving Latimer, the infamous murderer of his mother, had escaped from the state prison in that city and that he had administered poison to two of the keepers from the effects of which one died. The story of the escape is as follows: For the past few weeks Latimer had been telling Night Captain of the Guard, M.P. Gill a story of some money due him in Rhode Island – some $2,800 – and that he wanted Gill to collect it when the prison administration was changed, as was soon expected. Latimer had frequently been given many liberties, having often drank a cup of coffee or chocolate with Gill when he was taking his midnight lunch. On the night of the escape Gill and Latimer had agreed to settle the matter of the Rhode Island treasure and Gill released Latimer and conducted him to the hallmaster's office. Latimer brought along a box of sardines and some lemons. He made some lemonade and sent a glass of it to Gatekeper G.W. Haight. After eating and drinking Gill says he was taken suddenly and violently sick. Latimer worked over him for some time until suddenly a noise was heard in the guard room like the rattling of dishes. Gill was too weak to investigate and gave Latimer his keys and asked him to go. He did so and soon returned and said that Mr. Haight had fallen over and was dead. Gill finished his story as follows: "Then I staggered to my feet, but could hardly go, and Irving and Keeper Case took hold of me and assisted me to the guard room. When I told Case to go for the doctor he asked for Mr. Haight's key to the hospital door. I asked them to look in Haight's pocket and Latimer and Rice went to look for it. They returned, saying they couldn't find it, when Latimer volunteered to go and ring for the doctor. After he had been gone a few minutes, Rice went to look for him and found the front gate open. I suppose now that Latimer took the key out of Mr. Haight's pocket when he pretended to be looking for it. Rice ran down to the outside door and I gave the alarm." Prosecuting Attorney Kirkby was sent for and an investigation was at once begun. After examining the several guards the prosecuting attorney ordered the captain of the guard, Gill and Keeper Rice to be placed under arrest, as the circumstances warranted their being held for further examination, the prosecuting attorney inclining to the belief that there is a possibility of a plot in which several are implicated. When Latimer took the keys from Haight's person he also rifled his pockets and stole $25 in money, which was in the pocket of the insensible man. Latimer evidently contemplated some diabolical plot, such as releasing all the convicts in the west wing, but was prevented from lack of time. With the people aroused through the country for miles around Jackson, the chance of escape for Latimer was very slim, yet when the news was received, on the second night after his escape, that he had been captured by a posse of farmers, it was not believed. It was nevertheless true. The story of Latimer's tramp after his escape is as follows as nearly as known: Early on the morning of his escape he appeared at the house of Eugene Soule, near Horton, and procured a breakfast – the news of his escape not having become known there at that hour. He then started off in the direction of Hanover keeping to the fields and woods. He did not enter the town, but changed his course and on the evening of the second day was in hiding near Jerome. He had been traveling very hard and a pair of large felt boots he wore had made his feet very sore so he resolved to enter the town and purchase a pair of shoes. He waited until about 11 o'clock, just before the store was closing, but on entering was surprised to see half a dozen men still in the store. But having made the start he put on a bold front and made known his wants. Latimer wore a long, dark overcoat and a big slouch hat and his appearance being somewhat unusual the men ceased conversation and looked at the stranger. Someone noticed a crooked finger and suddenly remembered it as one of Latimer's distinguishing marks and blurted out, "I wonder where Latimer is now!" At this the man in the slouch hat hurriedly concluded his bargain and hastened away. The cat was out of the bag and an alarm was soon spread and in a short time half a hundred villagers were following the fugitive down the railroad track toward Addison Junction. About two miles from Jerome the crowd overtook the worn-out Latimer and returned to Jerome with him. A search was made and on his undershirt was found his prison number, 4578. Other marks were recognized and in a short time Latimer was on his way to Jackson prison in a double buggie accompanied by three armed men. They did not tie him and he did not attempt to escape and after about 50 hours liberty the most brutal matricide of recent times was again behind the prison bars with the bloodstains of another human life upon his soul as a cost of his short breath of freedom."
He also murdered prison guard George Haight (#16980714) by poison.
Death Certificate
Name: Robert Irving Latimer
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 29 Aug 1945
Event Place: Eloise, Wayne, Michigan, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 79
Marital Status: Single
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1865
Birthplace: Michigan
Birth Year (Estimated): 1866
Father's Name: Robert F Latimer
Mother's Name: Marietta Holland
GS Film number: 001973151
Digital Folder Number: 005363517
Image Number: 02283
Jackson Citizen Patriot, February 19, 2014.
JACKSON, MI – There is a scrap book of newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia.
There were limited family stories and the occasional hushed or seemingly forbidden mention of the reviled Robert Irving Latimer.
But it was not until recently that the Hester family of Muskegon learned the full story of their grandfather George Haight, the largely forgotten gatekeeper Latimer poisoned to death in 1893 at Jackson's old state prison.
More than 120 years overdue, Haight is at last getting the honor he deserves.
Haight's name will be added in May to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., two curving walls carved with the names of more than 19,000 U.S. officers killed in the line of duty.
The announcement earlier this month concluded an almost year-long mission of Michigan Department of Corrections Officer Jeff Reasoner, who began researching Haight last summer with the hope of righting a generations-old wrong.
Haight's name was not listed as the department's earliest on-duty death. The state did not even have a record of his employment, and his death was often over-shadowed by the much-publicized exploits of the well-known prisoner who killed him.
"That's been my motivation, to put the emphasis on (Haight), and not on the prisoner, who was sensationalized and basically turned into a celebrity," Reasoner said.
He collected enough information to submit an application to the memorial in December and with help from genealogy aficionados, after a few dead ends and following months of investigation, Reasoner located and contacted Dick Hester, 83, and his daughter, Kathleen Evans, 55. He confirmed they are relatives so they could share in the spring commemoration.
"I think it was wonderful of Mr. Reasoner to carry this through," an appreciative Hester said last week from his home in Muskegon. "He was so persistent in his attempts to learn more on the situation. He became the expert for sure on my great-grandfather's experience."
To see the whole project come together pleased Reasoner. "It makes me one happy guy."
A proud member of the select, statewide department Honor Guard, Reasoner clearly takes to heart the guard's mission – "Honor, integrity and service."
"I think that's what the family deserves, a little bit of recognition," he said of the Haight ancestors.
Reasoner, a transportation officer based in Jackson, plans to attend the "unveiling" ceremony with members of the Honor Guard during National Police Week, beginning May 11. The annual event draws thousands of officers. "It is a very moving experience," Reasoner said.
Evans, her sisters and others, including her father, if his health allows, also will make the trek. They plan to drive, stay with family in the area and participate as much as is allowed.
Though they did not know George Haight, the recent developments have inspired the family to delve deeper into their history, Evans said. Information Reasoner provided rounded out the stories, said Evans, program manager at the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission.
"It really brings more personality to … our relatives who are gone."
They seem more real, she said. "Once you know what your ancestors have done, and what they went through, it kind of lends some strength to the rest of us who are still here."
Evan's paternal grandmother, Margaret Hester, who died in 1983, was the daughter of George Haight's son, Allen Haight.
Allen Haight was a rider with the Pony Express and worked as a telegrapher for the railroad when Latimer used prussic acid to poison his 67-year-old father to death on March 27, 1893, according to a 2012 blog posting. It was written by New Jersey Department of Corrections Major Wayne Sanderson, who interested Reasoner in Haight.
Latimer administered the poison to flee the stone walls, which he successfully did – for about one day.
Latimer was serving a life sentence for shooting to death his mother, Mary, in 1889 and was suspected of killing his father, who died mysteriously 15 months earlier, according to a 2010 Citizen Patriot story.
Despite these facts, Latimer earned favor among authorities, was almost glorified by the press for his "skillful" and risky behavior, and served about 45 years of a life sentence before a governor pardoned him in 1935.
Never was he prosecuted for Haight's death, and a newspaper story about his release made no mention of it.
This does not sit well with Evans. "You murdered your mother. You are suspected of murdering your father. You murdered the gatekeeper. And you get a pardon?"
Hester never met his great-grandfather, but he was a boy when the governor let Latimer free. "I do recall, when I was very young, my dad talking to my mother about how upset her dad was when Latimer was pardoned," said Hester, retired from the Michigan Employment Security Commission.
Evans said her grandmother talked little of George Haight. "She didn't like to ruffle feathers. She liked to stay positive," Evans said, but Evans remembers the way family members spoke the prisoner's name. "You heard the word Latimer, and there was always a lot of disgust."
Late last year, Reasoner sent Hester an email, and Reasoner said Hester responded in less than an hour.
"I thought it was interesting that someone would be looking into that kind of ancient history," Hester said.
The family unearthed a scrapbook tucked safely in a closet. It contained articles and photographs, including one of Haight, his wife, and three of his children.
This solved an issue for Reasoner, who had been instructed to find a picture of George Haight so the corrections department could update its memorial wall of fallen employees. Until Reasoner's work, Warden T.B. Catlin and Deputy Warden Fred Menhennett were thought to be the earliest of those the department had lost.
The slight will soon be corrected, and for this, the Hesters are grateful – even if more than a century has passed.
"It really does mean a lot to our family," Evans said.
From the Saline, Michigan Observer, Thursday, April 6, 1893, under the section for news from around the state of Michigan:
Escaped-Captured. R. Irving Latimer, the Brutal Matricide, Escapes From Jackson State Prison after having poisoned two of the guards, one of whom died – the villain captured after a 20 mile tramp across country:
Never in the history of Jackson has that town been so wrought up as it was over the news that R. Irving Latimer, the infamous murderer of his mother, had escaped from the state prison in that city and that he had administered poison to two of the keepers from the effects of which one died. The story of the escape is as follows: For the past few weeks Latimer had been telling Night Captain of the Guard, M.P. Gill a story of some money due him in Rhode Island – some $2,800 – and that he wanted Gill to collect it when the prison administration was changed, as was soon expected. Latimer had frequently been given many liberties, having often drank a cup of coffee or chocolate with Gill when he was taking his midnight lunch. On the night of the escape Gill and Latimer had agreed to settle the matter of the Rhode Island treasure and Gill released Latimer and conducted him to the hallmaster's office. Latimer brought along a box of sardines and some lemons. He made some lemonade and sent a glass of it to Gatekeper G.W. Haight. After eating and drinking Gill says he was taken suddenly and violently sick. Latimer worked over him for some time until suddenly a noise was heard in the guard room like the rattling of dishes. Gill was too weak to investigate and gave Latimer his keys and asked him to go. He did so and soon returned and said that Mr. Haight had fallen over and was dead. Gill finished his story as follows: "Then I staggered to my feet, but could hardly go, and Irving and Keeper Case took hold of me and assisted me to the guard room. When I told Case to go for the doctor he asked for Mr. Haight's key to the hospital door. I asked them to look in Haight's pocket and Latimer and Rice went to look for it. They returned, saying they couldn't find it, when Latimer volunteered to go and ring for the doctor. After he had been gone a few minutes, Rice went to look for him and found the front gate open. I suppose now that Latimer took the key out of Mr. Haight's pocket when he pretended to be looking for it. Rice ran down to the outside door and I gave the alarm." Prosecuting Attorney Kirkby was sent for and an investigation was at once begun. After examining the several guards the prosecuting attorney ordered the captain of the guard, Gill and Keeper Rice to be placed under arrest, as the circumstances warranted their being held for further examination, the prosecuting attorney inclining to the belief that there is a possibility of a plot in which several are implicated. When Latimer took the keys from Haight's person he also rifled his pockets and stole $25 in money, which was in the pocket of the insensible man. Latimer evidently contemplated some diabolical plot, such as releasing all the convicts in the west wing, but was prevented from lack of time. With the people aroused through the country for miles around Jackson, the chance of escape for Latimer was very slim, yet when the news was received, on the second night after his escape, that he had been captured by a posse of farmers, it was not believed. It was nevertheless true. The story of Latimer's tramp after his escape is as follows as nearly as known: Early on the morning of his escape he appeared at the house of Eugene Soule, near Horton, and procured a breakfast – the news of his escape not having become known there at that hour. He then started off in the direction of Hanover keeping to the fields and woods. He did not enter the town, but changed his course and on the evening of the second day was in hiding near Jerome. He had been traveling very hard and a pair of large felt boots he wore had made his feet very sore so he resolved to enter the town and purchase a pair of shoes. He waited until about 11 o'clock, just before the store was closing, but on entering was surprised to see half a dozen men still in the store. But having made the start he put on a bold front and made known his wants. Latimer wore a long, dark overcoat and a big slouch hat and his appearance being somewhat unusual the men ceased conversation and looked at the stranger. Someone noticed a crooked finger and suddenly remembered it as one of Latimer's distinguishing marks and blurted out, "I wonder where Latimer is now!" At this the man in the slouch hat hurriedly concluded his bargain and hastened away. The cat was out of the bag and an alarm was soon spread and in a short time half a hundred villagers were following the fugitive down the railroad track toward Addison Junction. About two miles from Jerome the crowd overtook the worn-out Latimer and returned to Jerome with him. A search was made and on his undershirt was found his prison number, 4578. Other marks were recognized and in a short time Latimer was on his way to Jackson prison in a double buggie accompanied by three armed men. They did not tie him and he did not attempt to escape and after about 50 hours liberty the most brutal matricide of recent times was again behind the prison bars with the bloodstains of another human life upon his soul as a cost of his short breath of freedom."
He also murdered prison guard George Haight (#16980714) by poison.
Robert Irving became one of the nation's most noted "lifers" for consistently being denied parole or pardon because he was convicted of matricide. In 1934, he was the sole inmate of the old prison on Mechanic Street after the facility moved north on Cooper Street. He was a general caretaker and salvager of any materials that could be sold from the old facility to support the new one. Robert Irving was finally granted a full pardon in 1935 by Gov. Frank Fitzgerald who said it was "not a special favor but simple justice." He was released on May 11, after being in prison 46 years to the date. Robert Irving went to work for the Ford Motor Co. for a short time before becoming ill and eventually being turned over to the Eloise State Hospital where he died at age 80 in 1945.
Death Certificate
Name: Robert Irving Latimer
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 29 Aug 1945
Event Place: Eloise, Wayne, Michigan, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 79
Marital Status: Single
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1865
Birthplace: Michigan
Birth Year (Estimated): 1866
Father's Name: Robert F Latimer
Mother's Name: Marietta Holland
GS Film number: 001973151
Digital Folder Number: 005363517
Image Number: 02283
Jackson Citizen Patriot, February 19, 2014.
JACKSON, MI – There is a scrap book of newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia.
There were limited family stories and the occasional hushed or seemingly forbidden mention of the reviled Robert Irving Latimer.
But it was not until recently that the Hester family of Muskegon learned the full story of their grandfather George Haight, the largely forgotten gatekeeper Latimer poisoned to death in 1893 at Jackson's old state prison.
More than 120 years overdue, Haight is at last getting the honor he deserves.
Haight's name will be added in May to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., two curving walls carved with the names of more than 19,000 U.S. officers killed in the line of duty.
The announcement earlier this month concluded an almost year-long mission of Michigan Department of Corrections Officer Jeff Reasoner, who began researching Haight last summer with the hope of righting a generations-old wrong.
Haight's name was not listed as the department's earliest on-duty death. The state did not even have a record of his employment, and his death was often over-shadowed by the much-publicized exploits of the well-known prisoner who killed him.
"That's been my motivation, to put the emphasis on (Haight), and not on the prisoner, who was sensationalized and basically turned into a celebrity," Reasoner said.
He collected enough information to submit an application to the memorial in December and with help from genealogy aficionados, after a few dead ends and following months of investigation, Reasoner located and contacted Dick Hester, 83, and his daughter, Kathleen Evans, 55. He confirmed they are relatives so they could share in the spring commemoration.
"I think it was wonderful of Mr. Reasoner to carry this through," an appreciative Hester said last week from his home in Muskegon. "He was so persistent in his attempts to learn more on the situation. He became the expert for sure on my great-grandfather's experience."
To see the whole project come together pleased Reasoner. "It makes me one happy guy."
A proud member of the select, statewide department Honor Guard, Reasoner clearly takes to heart the guard's mission – "Honor, integrity and service."
"I think that's what the family deserves, a little bit of recognition," he said of the Haight ancestors.
Reasoner, a transportation officer based in Jackson, plans to attend the "unveiling" ceremony with members of the Honor Guard during National Police Week, beginning May 11. The annual event draws thousands of officers. "It is a very moving experience," Reasoner said.
Evans, her sisters and others, including her father, if his health allows, also will make the trek. They plan to drive, stay with family in the area and participate as much as is allowed.
Though they did not know George Haight, the recent developments have inspired the family to delve deeper into their history, Evans said. Information Reasoner provided rounded out the stories, said Evans, program manager at the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission.
"It really brings more personality to … our relatives who are gone."
They seem more real, she said. "Once you know what your ancestors have done, and what they went through, it kind of lends some strength to the rest of us who are still here."
Evan's paternal grandmother, Margaret Hester, who died in 1983, was the daughter of George Haight's son, Allen Haight.
Allen Haight was a rider with the Pony Express and worked as a telegrapher for the railroad when Latimer used prussic acid to poison his 67-year-old father to death on March 27, 1893, according to a 2012 blog posting. It was written by New Jersey Department of Corrections Major Wayne Sanderson, who interested Reasoner in Haight.
Latimer administered the poison to flee the stone walls, which he successfully did – for about one day.
Latimer was serving a life sentence for shooting to death his mother, Mary, in 1889 and was suspected of killing his father, who died mysteriously 15 months earlier, according to a 2010 Citizen Patriot story.
Despite these facts, Latimer earned favor among authorities, was almost glorified by the press for his "skillful" and risky behavior, and served about 45 years of a life sentence before a governor pardoned him in 1935.
Never was he prosecuted for Haight's death, and a newspaper story about his release made no mention of it.
This does not sit well with Evans. "You murdered your mother. You are suspected of murdering your father. You murdered the gatekeeper. And you get a pardon?"
Hester never met his great-grandfather, but he was a boy when the governor let Latimer free. "I do recall, when I was very young, my dad talking to my mother about how upset her dad was when Latimer was pardoned," said Hester, retired from the Michigan Employment Security Commission.
Evans said her grandmother talked little of George Haight. "She didn't like to ruffle feathers. She liked to stay positive," Evans said, but Evans remembers the way family members spoke the prisoner's name. "You heard the word Latimer, and there was always a lot of disgust."
Late last year, Reasoner sent Hester an email, and Reasoner said Hester responded in less than an hour.
"I thought it was interesting that someone would be looking into that kind of ancient history," Hester said.
The family unearthed a scrapbook tucked safely in a closet. It contained articles and photographs, including one of Haight, his wife, and three of his children.
This solved an issue for Reasoner, who had been instructed to find a picture of George Haight so the corrections department could update its memorial wall of fallen employees. Until Reasoner's work, Warden T.B. Catlin and Deputy Warden Fred Menhennett were thought to be the earliest of those the department had lost.
The slight will soon be corrected, and for this, the Hesters are grateful – even if more than a century has passed.
"It really does mean a lot to our family," Evans said.
From the Saline, Michigan Observer, Thursday, April 6, 1893, under the section for news from around the state of Michigan:
Escaped-Captured. R. Irving Latimer, the Brutal Matricide, Escapes From Jackson State Prison after having poisoned two of the guards, one of whom died – the villain captured after a 20 mile tramp across country:
Never in the history of Jackson has that town been so wrought up as it was over the news that R. Irving Latimer, the infamous murderer of his mother, had escaped from the state prison in that city and that he had administered poison to two of the keepers from the effects of which one died. The story of the escape is as follows: For the past few weeks Latimer had been telling Night Captain of the Guard, M.P. Gill a story of some money due him in Rhode Island – some $2,800 – and that he wanted Gill to collect it when the prison administration was changed, as was soon expected. Latimer had frequently been given many liberties, having often drank a cup of coffee or chocolate with Gill when he was taking his midnight lunch. On the night of the escape Gill and Latimer had agreed to settle the matter of the Rhode Island treasure and Gill released Latimer and conducted him to the hallmaster's office. Latimer brought along a box of sardines and some lemons. He made some lemonade and sent a glass of it to Gatekeper G.W. Haight. After eating and drinking Gill says he was taken suddenly and violently sick. Latimer worked over him for some time until suddenly a noise was heard in the guard room like the rattling of dishes. Gill was too weak to investigate and gave Latimer his keys and asked him to go. He did so and soon returned and said that Mr. Haight had fallen over and was dead. Gill finished his story as follows: "Then I staggered to my feet, but could hardly go, and Irving and Keeper Case took hold of me and assisted me to the guard room. When I told Case to go for the doctor he asked for Mr. Haight's key to the hospital door. I asked them to look in Haight's pocket and Latimer and Rice went to look for it. They returned, saying they couldn't find it, when Latimer volunteered to go and ring for the doctor. After he had been gone a few minutes, Rice went to look for him and found the front gate open. I suppose now that Latimer took the key out of Mr. Haight's pocket when he pretended to be looking for it. Rice ran down to the outside door and I gave the alarm." Prosecuting Attorney Kirkby was sent for and an investigation was at once begun. After examining the several guards the prosecuting attorney ordered the captain of the guard, Gill and Keeper Rice to be placed under arrest, as the circumstances warranted their being held for further examination, the prosecuting attorney inclining to the belief that there is a possibility of a plot in which several are implicated. When Latimer took the keys from Haight's person he also rifled his pockets and stole $25 in money, which was in the pocket of the insensible man. Latimer evidently contemplated some diabolical plot, such as releasing all the convicts in the west wing, but was prevented from lack of time. With the people aroused through the country for miles around Jackson, the chance of escape for Latimer was very slim, yet when the news was received, on the second night after his escape, that he had been captured by a posse of farmers, it was not believed. It was nevertheless true. The story of Latimer's tramp after his escape is as follows as nearly as known: Early on the morning of his escape he appeared at the house of Eugene Soule, near Horton, and procured a breakfast – the news of his escape not having become known there at that hour. He then started off in the direction of Hanover keeping to the fields and woods. He did not enter the town, but changed his course and on the evening of the second day was in hiding near Jerome. He had been traveling very hard and a pair of large felt boots he wore had made his feet very sore so he resolved to enter the town and purchase a pair of shoes. He waited until about 11 o'clock, just before the store was closing, but on entering was surprised to see half a dozen men still in the store. But having made the start he put on a bold front and made known his wants. Latimer wore a long, dark overcoat and a big slouch hat and his appearance being somewhat unusual the men ceased conversation and looked at the stranger. Someone noticed a crooked finger and suddenly remembered it as one of Latimer's distinguishing marks and blurted out, "I wonder where Latimer is now!" At this the man in the slouch hat hurriedly concluded his bargain and hastened away. The cat was out of the bag and an alarm was soon spread and in a short time half a hundred villagers were following the fugitive down the railroad track toward Addison Junction. About two miles from Jerome the crowd overtook the worn-out Latimer and returned to Jerome with him. A search was made and on his undershirt was found his prison number, 4578. Other marks were recognized and in a short time Latimer was on his way to Jackson prison in a double buggie accompanied by three armed men. They did not tie him and he did not attempt to escape and after about 50 hours liberty the most brutal matricide of recent times was again behind the prison bars with the bloodstains of another human life upon his soul as a cost of his short breath of freedom."
He also murdered prison guard George Haight (#16980714) by poison.
Death Certificate
Name: Robert Irving Latimer
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 29 Aug 1945
Event Place: Eloise, Wayne, Michigan, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 79
Marital Status: Single
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1865
Birthplace: Michigan
Birth Year (Estimated): 1866
Father's Name: Robert F Latimer
Mother's Name: Marietta Holland
GS Film number: 001973151
Digital Folder Number: 005363517
Image Number: 02283
Jackson Citizen Patriot, February 19, 2014.
JACKSON, MI – There is a scrap book of newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia.
There were limited family stories and the occasional hushed or seemingly forbidden mention of the reviled Robert Irving Latimer.
But it was not until recently that the Hester family of Muskegon learned the full story of their grandfather George Haight, the largely forgotten gatekeeper Latimer poisoned to death in 1893 at Jackson's old state prison.
More than 120 years overdue, Haight is at last getting the honor he deserves.
Haight's name will be added in May to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., two curving walls carved with the names of more than 19,000 U.S. officers killed in the line of duty.
The announcement earlier this month concluded an almost year-long mission of Michigan Department of Corrections Officer Jeff Reasoner, who began researching Haight last summer with the hope of righting a generations-old wrong.
Haight's name was not listed as the department's earliest on-duty death. The state did not even have a record of his employment, and his death was often over-shadowed by the much-publicized exploits of the well-known prisoner who killed him.
"That's been my motivation, to put the emphasis on (Haight), and not on the prisoner, who was sensationalized and basically turned into a celebrity," Reasoner said.
He collected enough information to submit an application to the memorial in December and with help from genealogy aficionados, after a few dead ends and following months of investigation, Reasoner located and contacted Dick Hester, 83, and his daughter, Kathleen Evans, 55. He confirmed they are relatives so they could share in the spring commemoration.
"I think it was wonderful of Mr. Reasoner to carry this through," an appreciative Hester said last week from his home in Muskegon. "He was so persistent in his attempts to learn more on the situation. He became the expert for sure on my great-grandfather's experience."
To see the whole project come together pleased Reasoner. "It makes me one happy guy."
A proud member of the select, statewide department Honor Guard, Reasoner clearly takes to heart the guard's mission – "Honor, integrity and service."
"I think that's what the family deserves, a little bit of recognition," he said of the Haight ancestors.
Reasoner, a transportation officer based in Jackson, plans to attend the "unveiling" ceremony with members of the Honor Guard during National Police Week, beginning May 11. The annual event draws thousands of officers. "It is a very moving experience," Reasoner said.
Evans, her sisters and others, including her father, if his health allows, also will make the trek. They plan to drive, stay with family in the area and participate as much as is allowed.
Though they did not know George Haight, the recent developments have inspired the family to delve deeper into their history, Evans said. Information Reasoner provided rounded out the stories, said Evans, program manager at the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission.
"It really brings more personality to … our relatives who are gone."
They seem more real, she said. "Once you know what your ancestors have done, and what they went through, it kind of lends some strength to the rest of us who are still here."
Evan's paternal grandmother, Margaret Hester, who died in 1983, was the daughter of George Haight's son, Allen Haight.
Allen Haight was a rider with the Pony Express and worked as a telegrapher for the railroad when Latimer used prussic acid to poison his 67-year-old father to death on March 27, 1893, according to a 2012 blog posting. It was written by New Jersey Department of Corrections Major Wayne Sanderson, who interested Reasoner in Haight.
Latimer administered the poison to flee the stone walls, which he successfully did – for about one day.
Latimer was serving a life sentence for shooting to death his mother, Mary, in 1889 and was suspected of killing his father, who died mysteriously 15 months earlier, according to a 2010 Citizen Patriot story.
Despite these facts, Latimer earned favor among authorities, was almost glorified by the press for his "skillful" and risky behavior, and served about 45 years of a life sentence before a governor pardoned him in 1935.
Never was he prosecuted for Haight's death, and a newspaper story about his release made no mention of it.
This does not sit well with Evans. "You murdered your mother. You are suspected of murdering your father. You murdered the gatekeeper. And you get a pardon?"
Hester never met his great-grandfather, but he was a boy when the governor let Latimer free. "I do recall, when I was very young, my dad talking to my mother about how upset her dad was when Latimer was pardoned," said Hester, retired from the Michigan Employment Security Commission.
Evans said her grandmother talked little of George Haight. "She didn't like to ruffle feathers. She liked to stay positive," Evans said, but Evans remembers the way family members spoke the prisoner's name. "You heard the word Latimer, and there was always a lot of disgust."
Late last year, Reasoner sent Hester an email, and Reasoner said Hester responded in less than an hour.
"I thought it was interesting that someone would be looking into that kind of ancient history," Hester said.
The family unearthed a scrapbook tucked safely in a closet. It contained articles and photographs, including one of Haight, his wife, and three of his children.
This solved an issue for Reasoner, who had been instructed to find a picture of George Haight so the corrections department could update its memorial wall of fallen employees. Until Reasoner's work, Warden T.B. Catlin and Deputy Warden Fred Menhennett were thought to be the earliest of those the department had lost.
The slight will soon be corrected, and for this, the Hesters are grateful – even if more than a century has passed.
"It really does mean a lot to our family," Evans said.
From the Saline, Michigan Observer, Thursday, April 6, 1893, under the section for news from around the state of Michigan:
Escaped-Captured. R. Irving Latimer, the Brutal Matricide, Escapes From Jackson State Prison after having poisoned two of the guards, one of whom died – the villain captured after a 20 mile tramp across country:
Never in the history of Jackson has that town been so wrought up as it was over the news that R. Irving Latimer, the infamous murderer of his mother, had escaped from the state prison in that city and that he had administered poison to two of the keepers from the effects of which one died. The story of the escape is as follows: For the past few weeks Latimer had been telling Night Captain of the Guard, M.P. Gill a story of some money due him in Rhode Island – some $2,800 – and that he wanted Gill to collect it when the prison administration was changed, as was soon expected. Latimer had frequently been given many liberties, having often drank a cup of coffee or chocolate with Gill when he was taking his midnight lunch. On the night of the escape Gill and Latimer had agreed to settle the matter of the Rhode Island treasure and Gill released Latimer and conducted him to the hallmaster's office. Latimer brought along a box of sardines and some lemons. He made some lemonade and sent a glass of it to Gatekeper G.W. Haight. After eating and drinking Gill says he was taken suddenly and violently sick. Latimer worked over him for some time until suddenly a noise was heard in the guard room like the rattling of dishes. Gill was too weak to investigate and gave Latimer his keys and asked him to go. He did so and soon returned and said that Mr. Haight had fallen over and was dead. Gill finished his story as follows: "Then I staggered to my feet, but could hardly go, and Irving and Keeper Case took hold of me and assisted me to the guard room. When I told Case to go for the doctor he asked for Mr. Haight's key to the hospital door. I asked them to look in Haight's pocket and Latimer and Rice went to look for it. They returned, saying they couldn't find it, when Latimer volunteered to go and ring for the doctor. After he had been gone a few minutes, Rice went to look for him and found the front gate open. I suppose now that Latimer took the key out of Mr. Haight's pocket when he pretended to be looking for it. Rice ran down to the outside door and I gave the alarm." Prosecuting Attorney Kirkby was sent for and an investigation was at once begun. After examining the several guards the prosecuting attorney ordered the captain of the guard, Gill and Keeper Rice to be placed under arrest, as the circumstances warranted their being held for further examination, the prosecuting attorney inclining to the belief that there is a possibility of a plot in which several are implicated. When Latimer took the keys from Haight's person he also rifled his pockets and stole $25 in money, which was in the pocket of the insensible man. Latimer evidently contemplated some diabolical plot, such as releasing all the convicts in the west wing, but was prevented from lack of time. With the people aroused through the country for miles around Jackson, the chance of escape for Latimer was very slim, yet when the news was received, on the second night after his escape, that he had been captured by a posse of farmers, it was not believed. It was nevertheless true. The story of Latimer's tramp after his escape is as follows as nearly as known: Early on the morning of his escape he appeared at the house of Eugene Soule, near Horton, and procured a breakfast – the news of his escape not having become known there at that hour. He then started off in the direction of Hanover keeping to the fields and woods. He did not enter the town, but changed his course and on the evening of the second day was in hiding near Jerome. He had been traveling very hard and a pair of large felt boots he wore had made his feet very sore so he resolved to enter the town and purchase a pair of shoes. He waited until about 11 o'clock, just before the store was closing, but on entering was surprised to see half a dozen men still in the store. But having made the start he put on a bold front and made known his wants. Latimer wore a long, dark overcoat and a big slouch hat and his appearance being somewhat unusual the men ceased conversation and looked at the stranger. Someone noticed a crooked finger and suddenly remembered it as one of Latimer's distinguishing marks and blurted out, "I wonder where Latimer is now!" At this the man in the slouch hat hurriedly concluded his bargain and hastened away. The cat was out of the bag and an alarm was soon spread and in a short time half a hundred villagers were following the fugitive down the railroad track toward Addison Junction. About two miles from Jerome the crowd overtook the worn-out Latimer and returned to Jerome with him. A search was made and on his undershirt was found his prison number, 4578. Other marks were recognized and in a short time Latimer was on his way to Jackson prison in a double buggie accompanied by three armed men. They did not tie him and he did not attempt to escape and after about 50 hours liberty the most brutal matricide of recent times was again behind the prison bars with the bloodstains of another human life upon his soul as a cost of his short breath of freedom."
He also murdered prison guard George Haight (#16980714) by poison.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
