Well, did you know that around the turn of the century, Lorain had their own version of Otis who used to lock himself up too? And that he was a poet to boot?
Read all about it in the colorful article below by Robert Siegel that appeared in the Lorain Journal on January 19, 1953. Siegel had interviewed George Horsley of 922 Lakeview Avenue., who had saved some vintage clippings that revealed the “tale of the poet-laureate of the city clink."
It’s written in an amusing manner almost reminiscent of Damon Runyon, with its references to gendarmes and the hoosegow.
Best of all, there’s even a sample of the eccentric inmate’s poetry.
Great article- although I admit I was more interested in the With the Colors blurb below it.
ReplyDeleteAs a Naval Aviator jet pilot, I imagined William Haff would likely be found in a google search. I am happy to report that he is still with us, after a fine career in the Navy, from which he retired as a Captain (Army equivalent of a full Colonel), after flying Phantom Jets in Viet Nam- apparently without ever getting shot down or running for president- contributing to books about it, and commanding several posts later in his career, drawing the ire of the New York Times in one of them, for having ordered the shooting of 381 wild burros that were known to wander around on the runways at night.
Eugene Socha, on the other hand, went back and got the medical degree that World War II interrupted, serving an internship in the Army, then returned to the Lorain area, and was a physician in Amherst for many years, where he passed away in 2008, survived by a large family. He sounds like a good deal of a character from his obituary, and greatly regretted.
Two young looeys in 1953, one saying farewell to Lorain probably forever, the other returning to be a beloved physician for many years. Lives well lived.