It is high time for severe measures in these cases. Every professional bank robber and burglar, in the commission of a crime, is armed to take life and will take it if he is interfered with in his purposes. He is in reality a murderer at heart and that purpose simply awaits an opportunity to sacrifice human life. In view of these facts it seems to us that the penalties for repeated offenses of this character should be much more severe than they are. These human hyenas and desperadoes have no place in society and are better off behind prison walls than outside of them.
(ed. note: Phillips and Brooks were later granted new trials. As far as anyone knows, NO ONE was ever executed at Anamosa, although, obviously a number of inmates were sentenced to hang here. The law provided that the execution would take place at one of the penitentiaries (Fort Madison or Anamosa), depending on the district of conviction).