The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-06-20
INDIANA STATE PRISON ON FIRE!
An Instruction Among the Convicts


| Between six and seven o'clock last evening
a fire broke out in the Indiana Penitentiary,
Immediately opposite this city. The fire had
a very threatening appearance, and from this
side of the river it appeared as if the whole
institution was enveloped in flames.
The fire was not completely extinguished
till nearly II o'clock, and was confined to the
hospital, which was entirely destroyed. 1t
was set on fire in the third story, which was
| filled with furniture, belonging to Mr.. Patter-
son, the lessee. The loss of Mr.. is from S.
900 to $4,000, and the loss of the building,
which falls on the State, is from $4,000 to
/ $1,000. Other buildings were more or less
damaged by water.
The officers of the institution, as soon as
they discovered the fire, put the convicts into
the cells many of whom were not at all aware
of the disaster
The building was set on fire by some of the
convicts. 1t appears that Mr.. Patterson'S
lease expired on Sunday, and yesterday morn
ing the State assumed the charge of the in
stitution. Mr.. Miller was the newly appoint
ed warden. 1t appears that report had gain
ed currency among the prisoners that the State
had no constitutional right to retain them I'M
der its own charge, and that they could be all
liberated by writ of habeas corpus. In view
of this, Gov. Wright addressed them on Sun
day, and informed them that any attempt to
resist the authority of the officers would be
promptly met. Yesterday morning eighteen
Of the conYicts went out and sat down on a
i plot of grass, refusing to work. Rev. Mr..
| Woods, moral instructor of the institution,
had conversation with them on the subject
Of their conduct, when all but few appeared
to be satisfied to return to their work.
The leader among the conspirators was a
man named Eaton, who is represented as
desperate fellow. He has only one year to
serve and has been in the institution some four
months. There is no doubt that the building
was fired by some Of the prisoners for the
purpose of gaining their liberty. During the
excitement, several Of them had gone to work
to make an opening in the walls Of their cells
for the purpose of escaping, but they were
discovered and promptly secured.
There are about $50 prisoners in the insti-
tutions. A few trustworthy, who have but
short time to serve and are allowed the liberty
Of working outdoors and the privilege of the
guard house, assisted at the fire. When we
left the place Of disaster, II o'clock, the roll
had not been called, and it was not known
whether any of them had left, though it was
supposed that in view of all the circumstances
surrounding them, none attempted it.
Lou Jour. 17d.
The Courier of the 18th contains the follow
ing:
The mutiny of some sixty convicts on Mon
day morning and previous symptoms of in
subordination led Mr. Miller, the Warden, to
apprehend trouble when the hour for locking
up arrived. Such was the case. A number
refused to go to their cells, and after much ex-
postulaton the order was given to fire on the
ringleaders.
Just at this moment flames broke out Ct
the chair factory III the third story of the no
pital wing Bnt instead Of attempting to sub
due the fire, every effort was directed to secu-
ring the prisoners. This was finally accom-
plished and then attention was paid to the
confagration. The damage consisted in the
total destruction of that edlfice, and loss to
the State and Mr.. Patterson of about $I5,-
900.
Meme O the prisoners were injured by the
fire, save woman who came near sutfocating
from heat and smoke. A fireman from this
city and one or two others who had injured
their clothing and assumed the penitentiary
garb instead, were mistaken by the guards !
and roughly handled.
Yesterday morning the prisoners were plac- |
ed at work, with the exception of about thir-
ty. These had been chiefly instrumental in
instigating the revolt, and were punished with
thirty-five stripes each. The chief ringleader,
a man named Eaton, had knife concealed
about him which he intended using when pun
ished, but Mr.. Patterson fortunately discover
ed it.