The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-07-22
REAL STORY
Of SOJOURN
. Of PICKETS
ATOCCOQUAN
By THEODORE TILLER.

II those sixteen suffragettes i'm
prisoned in the Occoquan workhouse
had not been pardoned by President
Wilson, their faces undoubtedly
would have acquired a coat of tan by
today. 1t was the firm intention Of
the matron to put the suffragettes in
the blackberry patch on Friday. The
Presidents pardon came while they
were at indoor work Thursday after
noon.
~And I intended to see that they
picked their share of berries. too"
said the matron. 81 was going to put
. checker right behind them. But.
goodness, I'm glad they've gone. For
two days I've had hard time kee2ipC
this place normal"
Women Of Refinement.
This is merely by way OF intro
and two nights spent by the sixteen
suffragettes-women of refinement,
and in some cases OF wealth-at the
~CA1eAA~No AhGNAANNAOA AOA ANS ANA S-ANS
classes. 1t is one of the many angles
OF a remarkably interesting and IN
usual event
For the first time in American his
tory women have gone to prison by
wholesale for the sake of a political
cause Nand the right to vote. On the
way to Occoquan they passed Mt. Yer
nowhere the pioneer blazer Of
American liberties came to rest after
the victory was won. The District
weTkhouse, where the down and-out-
ers OF the National Capital go because
OF their DRINKS, street brawls. and
petty thefts, is about five miles be-
low the magnificent estate OF the
Father Of His Country.
Oeeoquan On Map.
There are more than 100000 resi-
dents OF Washington who have never
been to Occoquan-and will never go
there, even on an inspection trip.
Ten days ago the country at large
had never heard OF the place. Prob
ably II one had asked the average
outsider about the location Of Oc-o-
guam. he would have replied shout IS
fellows:
81 don't know exactly. but I think
II is one OF those places where they're
lighting over in Europa"
Today, however, Occoquan is ION the
map Sixteen suffragattes and one
President Of the United States put 1t
there. Or, II you don't happen to be
lieve in sixteen to one. count in Dud-
ley Field Malone, Judge A p. Null
lowny. and ]. A. H. Hopkinson. Of New
Jersey-the last-named the husband
Of one of the Imprisoned women.
The adventure of the suffragettes
naturally produced many columns OF
newspaper space. but the unreported
events of their stay at the District
prison afford a diverting tale. For
Instance, let there be first a survey of
the state OF mind OF Ms. Minnie
Herndon. the matron in charge OF the
buildings marked Female depart
ment-"
By No Means Delighted
Mrs. Herndon was by no means
overJoyed when she heard that six
teen white, women Of wealth and So
cial position were en- route from
Washington to the workhouse. AL
belt Mrs. Herndon pressed her lips
closely together and said that when
they arrived they'd look just the
same as oIner prisoners to her. With
in an hour after the suffragettes had
departed because OF their pardon.
Mrs. Herndon, signing with relief.
unburdened herself 10 the writer.
1t was apparent that Mrs. Herndon
had a somewhat vague idea as to the
outer world Identity of her prisoners.
She knew they were different from
the rest OF her wards, but was ex-
Gctly sure about their official, social,
and financial status. So, innocently
or otherwise, she used Senators
wives" for a comparison.
Il tell you" said the matron, I'VE
are not fitted up here to take care Of
Senators wives and Congressmen's
wives. This place is for the rifI-ran
OF Washington, that's what 1t is We
get some awful tough women down
here.
Mrs. Herndon led the way to the
sleeping quarters.
81 wants to see you, Miss Minnie"
said a coIored inmate, as she passed
down the corridor.
you wait awhile, Susie, I'll be
back" said the matron. Susie settled
down to wait.
us It true that you took their