Name: Joseph "Dutch" Bowers Age: 40 Inmate #: 210-AZ Crime: mail robbery in a California postoffice Sentence: 25 years Notes: he was an Austrian by birth. Transferred from Leavenworth in 1934. He was also wanted in Oregon for auto theft. Died from wounds encountered during this escape attempt.

This was the first escape attempt since the prison was opened in 1934. At 11 a.m., Bowers finished working on the prison incinerator. Instead of going back to the prison, he headed out towards the surrounding wire fence. The guards ordered him twice to stop, he refused. They shot twice at the ground. He continued until he reached the fence, then scaled it and dropped down on the other side. The guards shot twice and hit him in the neck and his right thigh. He was propelled head first over the cliff and down 60 feet to the rocks. He died from a bullet lodged into his lungs.