Theodore Cole

Theodore "Ted" Cole (April 6, 1913 – December 16, 1937 - presumed) and Ralph Roe (February 5, 1906 – December 16, 1937 - presumed) took part in the second documented escape attempt from Alcatraz, in 1937, original FBI "Wanted" circular. With postmark of "Los Angeles, Dec _ 1937."

Cole and Roe, both convicted bank robbers (Cole went into Alcatraz for kidnapping also) in Oklahoma, had been caught during earlier, independent escape attempts from that state's McAlester Prison. Judged to be escape risks, they were both incarcerated in high-security Leavenworth Prison, then transferred to higher-security Alcatraz in 1936. They were given jobs working in the prison's Mat Shop, a facility at the northernmost point of the island, where discarded automobile tires were cut up and converted into rubber mats for the U.S. Navy.

Mug shot and fingerprint set is featured along with convict's personal information and full criminal record.

Provenance: From the collection of Police Chief Michael Webb (1950-2009). Webb joined the Vinita Park, Missouri police force in 1974 and served until his death in 2009, during which time he purchased crime artifacts from relatives of criminals and law officers. Boasting more than 8,000 wanted posters, pieces of Webb’s collection have been featured in film and displayed at the National Crime and Punishment Museum in Washington.

Measuring approximately 8 x 8 inches, the sheet exhibits very light signs of age and wear.