Riley Davis
From Kook Science
Riley "Limpy" Davis (b. c. 1880) was an American burglary convict and explosives expert who escaped custody in 1923 while being transported to the University of Missouri to have his perpetual motion machine examined by experts, having convinced his guards to visit a spot he alleged was the burial spot of some $40,000 in stolen gold.
Press Coverage
Perpetual Motion Escape (1923)
- "Wings On His Feet Are Perpetual Motion; Prisoner Going Yet", El Paso Herald (El Paso, TX): 2, 25 Apr. 1923, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/41436521, "Jefferson City, Mo. — Riley Davis, an inmate of Missouri state penitentiary, was an inventor of perpetual motion machines. Davis was so ardent in his belief of perpetual motion that he persuaded penitentiary officials to allow him to go to Columbia, accompanied by another prisoner and two guards, to have a university specialist examine his invention. Perpetual motion worked well for Davis and his companions, for they continued on 100 miles beyond Columbia. Davis escaped by leaping from a motor car, and, according to the latest reports, is still in perpetual motion. His companion was held by the guards."
- "ESCAPED CONVICT IS RECAPTURED. Riley Davis, Inventor of 'Perpetual Motion' Machine, to Be Brought Back From Texas.", Moberly Monitor-Index (Moberly, MO): 2, 23 May 1923, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/24649504/, "Last April Davis persuaded prison authorities to grant him permission to go to the University of Missouri at guards, to submit his perpetual motion invention to experts at the University. While on the road Davis persuaded the prison guards to drive to a place near Marceline, Mo., where he declared that he knew that $40,000 in gold stolen from a bank in Linn County, had been hidden. When the car neared the spot where the gold was alleged to be buried, Davis leaped from the car and escaped. Gary Martin, another convict who was being taken on the trip, was prevented from escaping by the guards. Davis was sentenced to the penitentiary from Linn County, December 22, 1920, to serve fourteen years for burglary and larceny."
Nitroglycerin Escape Plot (1927)
- "MISSOURI PRISON DELIVERY PLOT IS BARED BY CONVICT - Elaborate Plans to Blow East Wall of Penitentiary Disclosed — Nitroglycerin Surrendered.", Joplin Globe (Joplin, MO): 1, 12 June 1927, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/14796974, "The daring plan, in which 150 convicts are said to have been directly involved, was disclosed when Riley Davis, alias Edward Reese, prisoner from Linn county, voluntarily told Warden Leslie Rudolph of the plot and surrendered enough nitroglycerin to blow a 150 to 200 foot hole in the wall."
- AP (13 June 1927), "VIEW STORY OF PLOT TOLD BY A CONVICT AS HOAX - Some of Prison Officials Believe Riley Davis is Seeking Clemency - SIX CONVICTS IN SOLITARY CELLS- Warren Rudolph States Stories Had To Be Thoroughly Probed", Sedalia Democrat (Sedalia, MO): 1, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/74447846/
Paroled (1931)
- "'Limpy' Davis Parole Recalls Gold Cache Ruse", Milan Republican (Milan, MO): 7, 4 June 1931, https://www.newspapers.com/image/781658290/