Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-08-05
The United States Marines.

1hO ~ Jitto NUIDp
a we'll merited history of its own, and
has received since its organic alton the
warm commentator of Admiral Farra-
gut, admiral Porter, Admiral r ID gers
snd Commodore Roe, aud many other
distinguished Ulcers. References lave
been made to their service in connec-
ton with the quelling of the mutiny in
1924 in the Massachusetts, State
Prison.
An eye witness has given the follow
ing thrilling description of that event:
"Three convicts had been isentenced,
under the rules Of the prison to be
publicly whipped i'll the yard, and were
confined in the solitary cells awaiting
punishment. An eff GER, whose duty it
was TO attend to such cases, entered
one of the cells to see that everything
was right, when the inmates sprang
past him, closed the door and locked
him in. He then opened the doors of
the cells in which were the other two,
and the three, after deliberation, re-
leased the officer and ordered him to
approach the door leading into the
guard room and give the necessary
NIS udk tudb "bo IIkuU, mAIIC tuCJ
stood ready on its being opened to
rush through and secure the guard and
arms in the room. The officer resolute
~ refused. They threatened to kill
him, and one OF them raised file,
sharpened to q point. with the intent
of carrying the threat into execution,
but the officer rem aimed firm, telling
them that they might take his life, bul
he would not betray his trust. The
other two finally interfered and saved
his life, forcing him back into the Cell
and locking him in. The rest of the
convicts, hearing the alarm, armed
themselves with clubs, knives. ham
mers and other weapons. and assembled
III the dining-hsll. For time the
prison officials lost all presence OF
mind, and, the news spreading rapidly
through the town, q subordinate Cticer.
of mild and kind disposition, hurried
to the scene, and calm and collected
went into the midst of the fiji ,ers. The
most equable tempered, the mildesi
man in the government. as is usually
the case, WAS in the hour of peril the
6rmest. He dispatched at once a re-
quest to Mi Wailright, ut the Boston
Navy Yard, for assistance, and despite
the entreaties of his associates entered
the hall with only little raft IN walking
stick, for the purpose of calling the
rioters to order and peace. Hs ex
postulated with them and asked thei,
reason for violating the prison laws,
They replied that the punishment oi
their associates must be RENTED. He
said that this was impossible. The
convicts. on hearing this announce
ment, began to prepare their weapons
for use, and amid excitement of tn.
most intense nature threatened to kill
the off ser, who indeed stood on th.
very threshold of death. Just at this
moment he saw the feet OF the marines
filing by the small lights. Hs knew
that 1t was his only time tf escape, be-
fore conflict for life should begin.
He stepped backward. still urging tn.
prisoners to depart before the eli ,ers
were driven to the use Of fire arms as
last resort. Within three or four feet
of the door, it was opened and closed
instantly again as he sprang through.
and SO he was une xpectedly restore
his friends. 1t WAS thought at first
that Msj. Wainwright would fire down
upon the rioters from the little prison
| windows but he took holder course
and marched his little body of thirty
men into the dining hall. and formed
his line directly opposite where the
criminals were gathered. He ordered
them to dispense. which they refused
unless their request for reAission oil
tho Aogging was essented. farming to
the marines, Maj. Vain wright directed
them to load their guns and to expose
the bullets before putting them in their
weapons. 1.-THE marines we're ordered
to take aim; their guns were presented
but not q prisoner stirred, except to
grasp more firmly his weapon. Still
DESTROYS. if possible, to avoid such q
slaughter as must follow the discharge
of the guns. the Major advanced step
or two and spoke even more firmly
than before, urging them to depart.
Again. and while looking directly into
the muzzles of the guns, which they
had seen loaded with ball. they declared
their intention of fighting it out. The
intrepid officer then took out his watch
and told his men to hold their pieces
aimed at the prisoners, but no,
to fire until they had orders. Then,
turning to the convicts. he said: :You
must leave this hall. give you three
minutes 10 decide. II ut the end If
that time man remains he shall b.
shot dead. speak no more No NOR.
tragic situation than this can be con
ceived; at the end Of the hall fearless
multitude of desperate and powerful
men waiting for the assault, at the other
little band of we'll disciplined marines,
waiting with leveled muskets, and read,
GA the least motion or sign to begin
the carnage, aud their tall commander
holding up his watch to count the lapse
Of three allotted minutes. For two
minutes not person or muscle WAS
moved not a sound was heard in tn.
unwonted stiffness of the prison excepi
the labored breathings of the iufariated
wretches as they began to pant between
fear and revenge. At the expiration OF
two minutes during which they had
faced the minister's of death with un
faltering eyes, two or three Of those in
the rear and nearer to the further en-
trance, went slowly ont; a few more
followed the example, dropping ont
qnietly and deliberately, and before
half the last minute was gone every
msn was struck by the panic AMI
crowded FIR exit, aud the hall was
cleared out IS if by magic"
announcements.