A classic pun line about a prison escape reads as follows:
 
“The midget fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.”
 
The joke has been cited in print since at least 1977.
 
 
6 September 1977, The Argus (Fremont-Newark, CA), pg. 11, col. 1:
JUST A RIDDLE BIT—San Leandro’s Pam McDonald was so pleased with this riddle, credited to KSAN Radio’s Budd Stuntt, that she’s sure you’’ enjoy it, too:
 
Q: If a midget fortuneteller was arrested—and escaped from jail—how would the headline read?
A: SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE.
 
12 November 1978, Cumberland (MD) Sunday Times, “Frank and Ernest” comic strip, comics sec.:
...AND IN OTHER NEWS TODAY…
AUTHORITIES REPORTED THE ARREST OF A MIDGET SPIRITUALIST
...WHO LATER MADE GOOD HIS ESCAPE FROM A LOCAL JAIL.
POLICE HAVE ISSUED AM ALL-POINTS BULLETIN FOR A SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE.
   
22 November 1981, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI), “Main streets…and side roads” by RIchard W. Jaeger, sec. 3, pg. 1, col. 5:
One of the local television newscasters gave this report about the jail escape of a psychotic, midget spiritualist: “Police today reported that they are looking for a small medium at large.” — Amery Free Press
 
Google Books
Stanford
Stanford Alumni Association
Volume 13
1985
Pg. 64:
You might tell a silly joke: “What do you call a clairvoyant midget who just broke out of jail? A small medium at large.”
     
12 January 1986, Mobile (AL) Press Register, “Punchlines in elected circles” by Sandra Baxley Taylor, pg. 11-A, col. 1:
What do you call a midget fortune teller who escapes from Commissioner Freddie Smith’s work release center?
A small medium at large.
 
Google Books
November 1996, Boys’ Life, “Think & Grin,” pg. 66, col. 2:
Stilt: What do you call a tiny fortune teller who has escaped from prison?
Westy:What?
Stilt: A small medium at large! — Alan Doan, Cowgill, Mo.
 
Google Books
My Little Bit of Nonsense
By Charlie Walker  
Wakefield: Published by author
2000
Pg. 23:
The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
 
Google News Archive
28 December 2002, Sun Weekend (St. John’s, Antigua), “On golden puns” by Tony Deyal, pg. 5, col. 4:
The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
 
Twitter
Craig Patchett
‏@CraigPatchett
News item of the day: A four-foot tall fortune teller has escaped from prison. Police are looking for a small medium at large.
11:43 AM - 18 Oct 2007
 
Twitter
Jace Daniel
‏@jaced
Q: What do you call a midget fortune teller who’s escaped from prison? A: A small medium at large.
11:34 PM - 31 Dec 2007
 
Google Books
Once Apun A Time:
A Rich, Historical and Sometimes Earthy Collection of Puns
By Robin Leech
Victoria, BC: FriesenPress
2015
Pg. ?:
The short fortune teller who escaped from prison is now a small medium at large.
 
reddit
What do you call a midget fortune teller that just escaped from prison?
submitted April 23, 2015 by EndlessRampager
A small medium at large.