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No matter how good and faithful a public officer is, he is bound to make some enemies; and that same little gang of hypocrites whom he would not feed at the expense of the state nor let them run the prison, poisoned the mind of the public against him. Had it not been for their nefarious work, brave James Delahunty would still have been in the land of the living.

The funeral of Warden Delahunty was held at nine o'clock on Wednesday, March twentieth, 1912 at the Catholic Cathedral in Lincoln. Solemn requiem mass was held over the body. Father Moran was celebrant, Father Dumphy of Sutton, deacon; Father Bradley, sub-deacon and Father Loughlin, master of ceremonies. There were many floral offerings. After the services were concluded the remains lay in state and were viewed by hundreds of people.

The church was packed. Governor and Mrs. Aldrich, Secretary of State Mr. Wait, State Treasurer Mr. George and many

 
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other state, county and city officials attended. From all over the state came prominent men. From Clay county came a large delegation of friends and former townsmen of the warden. Father Moran, the Catholic chaplain at the penitentiary, preached the sermon. He paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of the deceased warden. He declared that the warden had died as only a brave man could die, in defense of the interests of the public. He thought that there could be no more heroic death than to fall at the post of duty. In closing the sermon he said: "He will be long remembered by those who knew him, and he will soon be forgotten by those who criticised (sic) him, for they will be busy criticising (sic) someone else."


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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
THE MURDERED OFFICIALS

The murdered deputy warden, Henry Wagner, had been connected with the prison for over eighteen years. For many years he served as guard, was then promoted to steward and rose to be the deputy warden: He was a quiet, kindhearted, generous man and a good prison man. He believed in strict discipline, played no favorites among the inmates who all looked alike to him. Mr. Wagner was a widower and had no relatives in the state. Mr. E. G. Heilman, the veteran usher, had been employed at the penitentiary for over five years - first as chief clerk for two years. When Warden Smith was appointed and his chief clerk did not understand the prison system of bookkeeping, Mr. Heilman was retained as usher and looked after the most of the books besides. He also served his county as clerk, and served the state as assistant secretary.

 
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He was a good accountant, a fine penman and a man of high education and refinement. He possessed a sunny disposition, always happy, always jolly and in good humor. As a young man he fought for his country, and had he not been shot down unexpectedly by the murderers' bullets, he too would have given account of himself. What a pity that a good and brave man should lose his life in such a manner. Mr. Thomas Doody had also been connected with the prison for many years, first as guard and later on as cell keeper. He kept the big cell house clean and in good condition. He is a fine fellow, good-hearted, generous and humane. The inmates liked Mr. Doody, for he treated them like men. His wounds were serious and we did not expect him to live; but through the care of Doctor Spradling, assisted by Frank Dinsmore, he pulled through though crippled for life.

The legislature appropriated five thousand dollars for Mr. Doody as a reward for his