The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-17
MUTINY IN A PRISON.
SPANISH PRISONERS GIVE BATTI, 8
TO TROOPS.

Nine of the Convicts Killed and Six
teen Wounded Before the Mutineers
We're Driven Back to Their Cells-A
Desperate Hand to Hand Conflict
With the Soldiers.
MADRID, Nov. l6.-During the past year
several outbreaks among convicts have oc-
CURED In prisons in various parts of the
country. To-day the most serious of all
the series occurred in the prison at Tara
gona, and nine of the convicts we're killed
The convicts have been dissatisfied with
their treatment for some time aud formed a
plan for general jail delivery The ordi-
nary convicbs in Spanish prisons are allowed
considerable freedom WITHIN the walls, and
this practice allowed them in this case TO
carry out their plan. Shortly after the
prisoners were released from their
cells this morning they mutinied. At
asigDal from their leader they sprang upon
the wardens, and the latter, taken COM
pletely by surprise, were soon overpowered.
The convjcts soon had possession OF the
prison, with the exception Of the quarters
occupied by the governor.
TROOPS SENT TO THE SCENE.
Before they could secure the keys that
would give them their freedom, the COVER
nor sent an urgent appeal for aid to the
military authorities, who promptly re-
sponded by sending IA detachment of troops
to the scene. When the soldiers
arrived they found majority Of the con-
victs assembled in the court yard. The
commander of the troops called upon the
prisoners to return to their cells, but he
was greeted with oaths aud derisive yells.
Again he ordered them to go back. The
convicts, who had armed themselves with
all manner OF things that could be used as
weapons again refused to obey and i'll a
body advanced upon the soldiers.
A voLLEY FROM THE RIFLES.
The rifles of the soldiers were loaded with
ball cartridges aud as the convicts moved
toward them orders we're rapidly given for
them 70 fire. The order was obeyed, but
before the smoke had cleared away the con-
victs we're upon the soldiers and desperate
haad-to-hand fight followed. The conyicts
sought 10 wresb the weapons from the SOL
ders, but in this they were not successful.
II they had been they would probably have
driven the troops Off aud made their es-
cape. Acting under orders from their COM
mander, some Of the soldiers retreated from
the struggling, yelling convicts and re-
loaded their weapons Then awaiting an
opportunity when there was no danger Of
hitting their comrades they would fire upon
the mutineers.
THE CONvICTS FINALLY OvERPo WERED.
Pandemonium reigued for a time, but
finally most of the convicts were over
powered and driven, still shouting and ours
ing. back to their cells. Nine of the mutt
neers had been shot dead, and sixteen
others seriously wounded. The affair has
caused great excitement in the city, and it
is demanded that the privileges Of convicts
be curtailed. While the fight was proceed
ing within the walls a close watch was kept
by the police on the outside, as IL was fou d
that the convicts had made arrangements ts
to receive outside aid in their attempt to
gain their freedom. A close investigation
will be made into the causes that lead 10
the mutinV