The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-12-12
SLASH WARDEN :
IN PRISON RIOT
At MARQUETTE
LIFE -TERMER SAVES "
LIVES OF OFFICERS
Guards Leveled Rifle Pre-
vents Killings of Several
With Butcher Knives.

Marquette, Mich, Dec. IL "A riot
among prisoners at the branch Of the
Michigan state refOrmatory here. during
Il moving picture exhibition this morn
ing, was Que!ied after Warden Catltn
had received nine knife wounds: Deputy
Warden Menhcnnit had been badly bea-
ten and the latter's son, Arthur Men.
henrit who was visiting his father at
The prison, had been stabbed In the
lungs.
Arthur Menhenn.t is In a local hos-
ptal and Is said to be in 4 serious cop-
dtton.
\ large number Of the prisoners had
been taken to the chapel to witness The
entertainment. -
The Outbreak =
After the chapel had been darkSnsA
10 permit showing Of the pictures
number OF the prisoners said by prison
officials TO have been led by "Gipsy"
Bob Harper. Jasper Ferry and Charles
Roberts, all Of Detroit, sprang upon
Catlin. AS 4 prison rule prohibits car
rying of firearms within the institution,
the officials aided by large number OF
loyal prisoners, fought the insurgents
with their fists and canes which they
carried.
Carving knives. believed TO have been
obtained by some OF the prisoners from
the reformatory kitchen. we're brought
into play and Catlin fell before the knife
thrusts. Arthur Menhennit went down
soon arterward. as his father was
receiving beating at the hands Of tho
inmates.
Saved by Life-ter1ner
Sam Ford, serving HSlife sentences
rushed from the chapel as the disturb
ance started and summoned Charles
Muck. a guard, from the outer wall.
Muck ran to the chapel, leveled his rife
at the prisoners. and kept Them At bay
while other guards were summoned. The
prisoners were hcr'ied to their cells.
The leaders IN the riot are in tho
prison bull pen tonight, awaiting decis-
ion by Governor Alex j. Grosbeck as
to their punishment.
The trouble is believed by prison
officials to have had its inception In =
friction between Warden Catlin and
Harper. The latter was sentenced TO
Jackson prison from Detroit for high
way robbery some time ago. While at
Jackson he killed a fellow prisoner dur
ing a knife battle. and was transferred
to Marquette as punishment. Three
months ago he escaped from the prison
but was re-capturcd at Negaunee. thir-
teen miles from here. two days later. .
State Police Summoned
At the outset OF the battle a call was
sent to Negaunee for state police. Major
Robert Marsh. Of Lansing head OF the
state troops. was in Negaunee. and lott
Immediately for Marquette, where four
men arrived only a few minutes after
the prisoners had been driven into their
cells.
ca,.n became warden at Marquette
several months ago. following the death
4 Warden James Russell. lie had been
!eputy warden tor about twenty-five
,cars Warden Catlin's wounds are not
expected 70 prove serious.
Prisoners 4: the institution tonight
;aid Harper had voiced antipathy for
Warden Catlin because he believed the
after had prevented his being trans
erred back to Jackson prison.
Warden CatHn's Wounds Serious.
Warden CatIln was removed to local
hospital tonight. his wounds having
,ccn pronounced serious hy physicians.
Charles Blaney. OF kalamazo chair 80
nan OF the Michigan state prison COM
nIttec, tonight ordered that the three
.ingleadcrs in the riot be flogged: Pre-
,aratIuns were being made to-day to
AIRY out the punishment tomorrow.
Iaior Marsh and twelve members OF.
he state police, were ordered by Mr.
}lancy, to remain nj the prison for .
ime. and TO make an investigation.
,uiet prevailed at the institution.