Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-09-05
TROOPS HOLD
PRISON RIOTERS
FR0M0UTBREAK
Quiet Restored in Jackson
Penitentiary by Militia,
but Danger Of Trouble is
Not Yet Past.

Jackson, Mich, Sept. Although
ohlctals OF Jackson prison declare they
believe the presence Of state military
troops has thoroughly cowed the un-
ruly convicts who figured in yester-
days riot. there was feeling in
prison circles today that almost any
thing was liable to happen within the
next 48 hours. Warden Simpson said
he would no longer rely on "bull PEN
in which to house his so-called bad
men, but intended to keep those who
refused to behave themselves either
locked In the cell rooms or handcuffed
to the grating until they decided to
"be good"
The liberation Of convicts who de-
clared themselves ready to obey the
prisons code Of laws was expected to
be today's most important develop
ment.
Adjutant General Roy c. Wander
cock and five companies of militia
were ready to see that none of the
prisoners broke through their prem
ises. Ever since yesterdays riot was
quelled by the militia, there has been
. general feeling that one or more
convicts nursing what the oficials
term fancied wrongs, might suddenly
try to seek revenge. The hope was
expressed. however, that II the SOL
iders succeed today in getting the con-
victs back to work. the backbone Of
the strike would be effectually broken.
"euII Pen" stormed.
Fifty men lodged in the prison "bull
pen" have been held responsible for
the riot, which ragged for more than an
hour. Warden Simpson declared after
the trouble that he, In common with
other prison officials. considered the
pen impregnable, but it failed when
pitted against the skill, the ingenuity
and recklessness Of convicted safe
blowers.
The building in which the so-called
desperate characters were quartered
Is composed of twelve sections and at
tached to the cell houses. Some one
in the cell nearest the prison stone
house succeeded in forcing the DOORS
This occurred shortly after the regular
hourly inspection.
Several Of the convicts unobserved
entered the stonehouse and secured
mallets and sledges. The other doors
OF the bull pen" were quickly bat
tered In.
Yelling like madmen, the majority
OF the convicts streamed into the pris-
on kitchen and began smashing state
property. Others remained in the
yard, doing little else than to make
a tremendous racket.
Riot In Full Progress.
The convicts were 50 successful in
their early movements that the riot
was in full progress when Warden
Simpson was notified. He Immediate
ly asked the militia companies in
Jackson to hurry to the prison, at the
same time ordering his guards and
special deputies to hold the rioters at
bay.
There was no checking the prisoners
however, until the soldiers arrived,
and then the demonstration ended al
most as suddenly as it began. Sew
eral Of the convicts told the warden
they would go back peaceably. The
men considered most liable to attempt
further trouble were handcuffed to
their cells, while the others were
searched and locked in their steel
rooms.
The only convict wounded was shot
by man said to be a soldier in
civilian clothes. The prisoner, who
was running at the time. failed to
obey command to halt and received
bullet in the arm. Warden Simpson
refused to tell the name of the victim,
but said he was one who was not a
trouble-maker but was carrying milk
at the time Of the riot and became
confused, Others declared he was hurl-
ing epithets at the guards, when a
bullet knocked him down.
More Militia Arrive.
After order was restored two other
companies Of the Michigan national
guard arrived at the prison. and
Adjutant General Roy G. Vandercock
OF Lansing took personal command.
General Vandercock declared the mill
tiamen would remain at the prison un-
til trouble had subsidized
Nobody could be found who was
willing to predict when that would be.
Governor Osborn. also in jackson,
said he was satisfied that the members
OF the prison board of control were
justified in asking for the soldiery.
The board members who have been in
the city for several days were with
the warden when the trouble started
Trouble Long Brewing.
There has been trouble brewing be.
tween the convicts and officers for
some time. but the open break came
Friday in the dining-room. It has been
declared that dispute over food and
service was responsible. Since then
more than two score Of men, some OF
whom are alleged to be numbered
among tho institutions most desperate
characters, have spent most OF their
time sulking In their cells or hammer,
ing against the grating