Today in History

1962 George Wilder escapes from prison

George Wilder was a burglar who left apology and thank-you notes for his victims. He was at large for 65 days, becoming a renegade folk hero in the process. Wilder's second (and longer) escape the following year won him even greater notoriety.

Wilder was serving time for burglary and theft when he scaled one of New Plymouth Prison's highest walls on 17 May 1962. During his time at large his ability to stay one step ahead of the police caught the imagination of the public. The Howard Morrison Quartet later celebrated his exploits with their song George the Wilder Colonial Boy, a parody of Pat Boone's Speedy Gonzales.

He was recaptured on 21 July at Whakamaru in the central North Island. Not content to serve his time quietly, he escaped on two further occasions. In January 1963 he broke out of Mount Eden Prison with three others, this time managing to elude police for 172 days. He left a thank-you letter and note of apology in the homes he burgled. Newspapers provided regular updates on his latest escapades. Wilder was recaptured on 17 July 1963 near Taupo. While on the run he had travelled almost 2600 kilometres and committed 40 crimes.

Wilder's final escape, again from Mount Eden, occurred on 4 February 1964. Things took a more sinister turn on this occasion − a sawn-off shotgun was involved and a warder was kidnapped. But unlike his previous break-outs, this one was short-lived. Wilder and two fellow escapees took refuge in a house in Horeka Avenue, Mount Eden, holding the occupants hostage. After a tense three-hour standoff with police, they surrendered when the threat of tear gas was made.

Little is known of George Wilder's later life, although he is reported to have taken part in the Mount Eden prison riot of July 1965.