The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-07-25
WOMEN RIOT IN
REFORM HOME
Scores of Bedford Inmates and
Several Police Hurt in
All Day Battle.
COUNTRYSIDE IN A PANIC
Discipline Cast Aside After
Three Escape; Shakeup
in Management.
COUNTRYSIDE IN A PANIC

AS a Climax 10 tWelVe hourS or un-
easiness and grumbllng. In which
three inmates escaped and others at
tackled guards, the l75 prisoners in
the New York State Reformatory for
Women at Bedford overthrew every
semblance OF discipline yesterday to
engage in a riot that has no duplicate
in the history Of the States prisons.
Before the fighting was stopped the
headquarters Of the State Constabu-
larry was in receipt Of n frantic appeal
for help and police from towns near
Bedford were closing in on the reser-
vation.
Scores OF women, both white and
negro, were cut and burned and
otherwise injured. State trooper had
a finger bitten of, half a dozen po-
licemen were battered and scratched
and the csuntryside for miles around
was in panic. II was feared that the
rioting women would escape and turn
their attacks on one another to at
tacks on the residents.
The riots and the escapes were de-
clared by Miss Florence Jones, new
superintendent of the reformatory, to be
the expected outcome Of sentiment
shown by the prisons board of man
ayers in directing discipline. Just be-
fore the lighting began Miss Jones an
nounced che was reslgning her post be-
cause she did not have free hand in
the administration OF her duties
Lone Policeman Breaks Riot.
When the situation became known 20
Dr. Pearce Bailey. a member of the
board of managers. he made desperate
efforts TO communicate with Gov. Alfred
f. smith. The Governor was to have
visited the reformatory yesterday, and
II was DR.. Pearce's inteation 20 have
him on the scene while the fighting nnd
kairpulllng were in progress.
One policeman. Thomas Wade. mem
Der OF the Bedford Police Department,
was responsible for the END Of the big
gest OF the riots. With club strapped
to his hand he struck down women who
attacked him and spread fear and re-
spect for his uniform. His coat was
ripped from his back and he had lodged
dozen hot flatlrons and carving
knives before his assailants were over
powered.
A serious situation developed when
the ten troopers and two officers OF the
State Constabulary, ready to charge the.
fighting women. were told to put down
their sticks. A member of the board
Of managers gave the order, following
out the understanding that kindness
should be shown every inmate. Kind
ness could not be administered from the
end of hickory sticks. he argued, and
the troopers tried to corral the prisoners
unarmed.
COnstHbulary scOrnS PaciAsm.
It was here that Trooper James Mont
gomery of White Plains was bitten.
Others were bruised and scratched, and
finally, it was reported. Sergt. Daniel
Faber, who had led six Of the constabu-
larry up from White Plains, refused
fatty to risk the lives Of his men.
Let them protect themselves or stop
your own riot" he was quoted as saying
in effect. 1
The member of the board Of managers
refused to give permission and the con-
stabulary drew away.
Rumors that Miss Jones was about
to resign spread through the reforma-
tory as early as Friday night. There
was growing uneasiness among both the
white and negro prisoners During the
early hours of the morning the inmates
of one Of the cottages were thrown into |
an uproar by the escape OF three white !
women, Anna Najelski and Irene Miller. I
and another whose name was not given |
The escapes led to comment and III !
feeling among the negresses employed
in the laundry. Soon after breakfast !
they began an argument in which
Mary Peters, a white prisoner. led the J
opposition force.
Women guards outside and inside !
the laundry failed to realize what was
about to happen, but were galvanized TO !
attention when a red. hot fat iron.
hurled by a black, smashed through ,
Continued on Eighth Page.
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