Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-01
A THRILLING SKETCH.

The Ne'o England Galary for 1928, con-
tans the following account of an insurrection
in the Massachusetts, State Prison thirty years
ago:
A more impressive exhibition of moral
courage opposed to the widest ferocty, under
the most appalling circumstances, was never
seen, than that which was witnessed by the
officers of the Massachusetts, State Prison, in
the great rebellion of 1928. Three convicts
had been sentenced, under the rules Of the
prison, to be whipped in the yard and by
some effort of one of the other prisoners, a
door had been opened at midday communi-
eating with the great dining hall, and through
the warden's lodge, with the street. The
dining hall is long, dark and damp, from its
situation near the surface Of the ground, and
in this all the prisoners assembled, with clubs
and such tools as they could seize in passing
through the workshops Knives, hammers
and chissels, with every variety of such wea
pons, were in the hands Of the ferocious crowd.
Men of all ages and characters, guilty of every
variety of infamous crimes, dressed in the
motley and peculiar garb of the institution,
and displaying the wild and demoniac appear
ance that always pertains to imprisoned
wretches, were gathered together for the single
purpose of preventing the punishment WHICH
was to be inflicted on the morrow upon their
comrades.
The warden, surgeon, and some other ofli-
GERS of the prison, were there at the time, and
were alarmed at the consequences likely to en-
sue from the conflict necessary to restore order
They huddled together, but could scarcely be
said to consult, as the stoutest Of them lost all
presence of mind in overwhelming fear. The
news rapidly spread through the town, and
subordinate officer, of most mild and kind dis
position, hurried to the scene calm and collect
ed into the midst Of the officers. The most
equabe tempered, and the mildest man in the
government, was in this hour of peril, the
frmest. He instantly dispatched request by
Major Wainwright commander of the marines
stationed at the navy yard, for assistance, and
declared his purpose to enter into the hall, and
upon the enraged multitude. All his brethren
exclaimed against an attempt so full of hazard,
but in vain. They offered him arms, sword
and pistol, but he refused them, and said he
do him no service; and alone, with only little
rattan, which was his usual walking stick, he
advanced into the hall, to hold parley with
the enraged Williams. He demanded their pur-
pose in thus coming together in arms, in viola
ton of the prison laws. They replied that they
were determined to obtain the remission of the
punishment of their three comrades. He said
that it was impossible; that the rules Of the
prison must be effected, and that they must
submit
At the hint of submission they drew little
nearer together, and prepared their weapons
for service. The excitement too, was of the
most dangerous kind. 1t broke not forth in
noise and imprecation but was seen only in
the dark looks and the strained nerves, that
showed deep determination. The officer ex-
postulated He reminded them Of the hope
lessness Of escape; that the town was alarmed,
and that the government of the prison would
submit to nothing but unconditional surren-
der. He said that all those who would 60
quietly away, should be forgiven for this of
fence; but that if every prisoner was killed in
the contest power enough would be obtained
to enforce the regulations Of the prison. They
replied that they expected some would be
killed, but that death would be better than
such Imprisonment, and with look and tone
which bespoke an indomitable purpose, they
declared that not man should leave the hall
alive unless the hogging was rcmtted.
Just at that moment, and in about fifteen
minutes from the commencement ofthe tumult
the officer saw the feet of the marines, whose
presence alone he relied on for success, filing
by the small lights Without any apparent
anxiety, he had repeatedly turned his atten
ton to their approach, and now he knew that
it was his only time Of escape. He stepped
slowly backward still urging them to depart
before the officers were driven to the last re
sort, the use of firearms When within three
or four feet of the door, it was opened and in
stantly closed.again, as he sprang through ant
was so unexpectedly restored to his friends.
Major Wainwright was requested to ordel
his men to fire down upon the convicts through
the little windows, first with POWDER an(
then with ball, until they were willing to re