The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-12
O'CONNOR A ND OTHER NOTORIOUS
CRIMINALS FIGHT THEIR WAY PAST
State Reformatory
Warden Seriously Wound
ed When Pris-
OnerS Riot.
tsy The Associated Press)

MARQUETTE, Mich, Dec 11.-A
riot among prisoners at the branch of
the Michigan state reforgnatory here
during a moving picture exhibition
this morning was quelled after Warden
II. b. Catlin had received nine knife
wounds, Deputy Warden Menhennit
had been badly beaten, and the latters
son, Arthur Menhennit, who was visit
ing his father at the prison. had been
stabbed in the lungs. The latter is in
! a local hospital and is said to be in a
serious condition.
A large number of the prisoners had
been taken to the chapel to witness
the entertainment After the chapel
had been darkened to permit showing
Of the pictures, a number of the pris-
oners, said by prison officials to have
been led by "Gypsie Bob" Harper.
Jasper Perry and Charles Roberts, all
of Detroit, sprang upon Catlin. AS a
prison rules prohibits carrying OF fire.
arms within the institution, the Off
cials, aided by a large number of loyal
prisoners, fought the insurgents with
their fists, feet, or with canes they
carried.
Carving knives, believed to have been
obtained by some of the prisoners
from reforTnatory kitchens, We're
brought into play. and Catin fell be-
fore the knife thrusts. Arthur Men
hennit went down soon afterward as
his father was receiving a beating at
the hands of the inmates
Sam Foard. serving a life sentence,
rushed from the chapel as the disturb
ance started. and summoned Charles
Muck, a guard, from the outer wall.
Muck ran to the chapel, level his rifle
at the prisoners and kept them at bay
while other guards were summoned.
The prisoners were herded to their
cells
The leaders in the riot are in the
bull pen tonight awaiting decision by
Governor Groesbeck as to their pun
ishment The trouble is believed by
prison officials to have had its incep-
tion in friction between Warden CatIin
and Harper. The latter was sentenced
to jackson prison farm for highway
robbery some time ago. While at
jackson he killed a fellow prisoner
during a knife battle and was trans
ferred to Marquette as punishment.
Three months ago he escaped from
prison but was recaptured at Negau-
nee, thirteen miles from here, two days
later.
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 left Immediately for Marquette
with fourteen men, arriving only a few
minutes after the prisoners had been
driven into their cells. Warden Cat
Inns wounds are not expected to prove
serious.
Prisoners at the institution said to-
night Harper had voiced antipathy
foa. Warden CatIin because he believed
the latter had prevented his being
transferred back to Jackson prison.
Warden Catlin was removed to a
local hospital tonight, mis- wounds
having been pronounced serious by
physicians.
Charley Blaney, OF Kalamazoo,
Chairman of the Michigan safe prison
commission, ordered the three ring
4edo6ES III llle E1Ol " 10 AAOSSSus EESp-
arations were being made to carry out
the punishment tomorrow.
Major Marsh and twelve members
of the state police force were ordered
by Mr.. Blaney to remain at the prison
for a time and to make an inves-
tigation.
Quiet prevailed at the institution
tonight.