Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-05
BLACK JENNIE,
A Prisoner i'm the Indiana Penitentiary,
Leads an Insurrection In which
She was Nearly
suceessruI-A Panic Among the Prison
ers-nurderous Attack Upon
FIueKY matron.

CINCINNATI, January "A special from
Indianapolis 10 the Commercial says that q
murderous outbreak and attempted prison
delivery occurred at the Female State Re-
formatory, situated just east Of this city, the
other day, whereby Mrs. (Auntie) Smith, the
matron, came near losing her life. The most
strenuous efforts have been made to keep the
affair a secret the officials who are all ladies,
| fearing that should the matter reach the ears
Of the Legislature, now about 10 convene, an
| investigation might follow that would not
| perhaps, have 30 rosy an ending that of
| two years ago, when a legislative committee
reported that the charges OF gross cruelty
| and Encouragement preferred against Mrs.
| Smith had not been sustained. But the fable
OF the ancient lady aud her secret Is again re-
called by a modern Mrs. Midas having whis
pered the story into the ear of handsome
| young plumber, who was sent out from the
| city TO make some needed repairs.
4 1t seems that the plot was Matched by
Mrs. Nancy Glen, beneath whose calm ex-
| terror still shoulders the fiendish propensity
that decreed the Cold Spring tragedy and
other heinous crimes who selected a tigerish
| negress on this occasion to do the murder,
and open the way in dash for liberty, in
which project che was TO receive assistance
| from dozen or more of the most vicious
| characters in the laundry-room. OF course
II
of escape would fail, but succeeded in con-
vincing her confederates that the plan was
feasible, telling them that it was only neces
| sary to kill the matron, seize her keys, open
| the doors and walk away in darkness. Once
| the doors were open, the only opposition
| they would encounter would be the female
employees, who could easily be oyerpoHered.
4 On account of her strength and great
Willingness, "Black Jennie" was selected
as the proper person to begin the re-
bellion by attacking Mrs. Smith. The
climax OF the conspiracy was reached
about Thursday, when Mira. Smith, having
some disagreeable duty, came into the la1n-
dry for that purpose. At preconcerted
signal from Mrs. Glenn, "Black jennie as
sumed defiant attitude, and fatty refused.
/ Mrs. Smith insisted, and made an effort to
hasten the performances By giving the woman
| push, whereupon the latter drew fork
from under the folds of her garment, and
with howl Of rage plunged it full at Mrs.
Smiths vitals; but the intended victim,
quickly rising, her arm received the stroke
about the elbow. Mrs. Smith started for the
alarm bell, but her assailant interposed and
again struck at her with deadly intent, and
again Mrs. Smith raised her arm, this time
receiving stab in her wrist Now graphing
| with the would be murderess and pinioning
her arms, the plucky woman tried to reach
the bell rope, seeing her main chances OF
escape depending on her raising an alarm.
Her antagonist, unable 10 DO further mischief
with the fork, dropped it and flung the ma
iron to The ground, secured The keys and
| started for the door, Mrs. Smith managed
to reach the bell and sounded the alarm,
which was responded to by the engineer
and other attaches, who quickly overpowered
Che negress and the rebellion was over.
In fact it had already degenerated into an
almost unanimous fit OF Mysteries, the ring
| leader and her ferocious lieutenant being the
| only ones who could have fled had the doors
been opened. The scene is reported chaotic
in the highest degree. Those who had no
inkling OF the plan, startled by the sudden
| and ferocious attack of "Blaek Jennie" and
sickened by the eight of blood, were fainting,
shrieking and praying (the Re Mr.. Barnes
converted 450 of them last summer), while
the would-be fugitives, with the exception of
\ Mrs. Glenn, who was gazing at the
fasco from -aiar. were tramping over
each other in tue daor-shrieking
| and cursng like so many lunatiess
| which "Black Jennie" had failed to unlock.
1t was the first instruction of female con-
vic,s !, record, and must be set down as a
faila;s. Had The negress been assisted by
her confederates, Mrs. Smith might have lost
her lie, but il seems that the idea of murder
never entered their heads. They had gath
cred ct The door when the attack began, and
were, in point of fact, in nearly as hysterical
frame of mind as their startled sisters. The
guilty are aaving just punishment served
out, the methods of which are now secret
with Mrs. Smith and her executioners. Mrs.
Clem's complicity was divulged by "Black
Jennie" NCls ffs. f-.l