The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-06-19
PRISON MUTINY
ENDS, CONvICTS
SMOKED OUT
Fans Are Reversed Against
Fires Set by Kansas
Pen Inmates.
BETTER FOOD DEMANDED
Uprising Comes to Close,
Prisoners in Affect
Surrender.

81 rif~f Prs77
LANSING. Kas June i9.-Mutlny
II BAT dangerous long-term cOnvicts
TO feet below The eaTth's surface
ended today ir AFFECT surrender.
Chastened AMI weakened by hunger,
the convicts -rere taken out Of Kan
Sas Penitertiary coal mine and
locked IN d disciplinary cells
Before they we're marched out Of
the 720-fcot level. where they BAR
riCaded themselves "A hours with
the mine superintendent and II
guards as hostages. the cOnvicts had
All but demolished galleries. They
ripped out hundreds Of feet Of tim
berlng and set 10 on fire. causing
damage mounting into thousands Of
dollars.
The spectacular mutiny. newest
IN a long series Of prison rebelliOns
and escapes a. Kansas Penitentiary,
ended without a shot being fired
Dense pillows Of choking smoke
from the incendiary fires were
sucked out by the ventilating fans.
Prison Officials merely reversed the
fans. pi;ing the smoke back into the
mine and all but overcoming the
mutineers.
The cOnvicts had demanded the
dismissal of DR.. David F. Parker. &C
cUsing him Of incompetence. better
preparation OF prison food. and
waiver Of punishment for the mu-
tiny. None OF these demands were
granted and no concessions were
made.
Desperate Battle Feared
Every preparation for a pitched
battle IN the dimly lighted tunnels
hundreds OF feet below the surface
had been made before the fans were
reversed. National Guard troops
augmented the entire force of guards
assembled at the shaft head. Shot
guns pistols. gas masks. and tear
gas we're issued and surplus stores
stacked.
The Convicts we're known TO have
no firearms. but Warden Lacey
Simpson feared they might attempt
a desperate battle with their miners
picks.
One hour after the fans we're re-
verSTf. the guards. protected by gas
masks. we're lowered into the smoke
filled mine ana advanced along the
720-fOOt level gallery. Half way
they met the gssping. choking con-
victS.
Brought Up 10 at Time
The convicts held two Of their
hostages IN front of them. fearing
the guards would fire. Commanded
to advance with hands elevated. they
were brought 10 the surface under
heavy guard. 10 at a time.
When the miners reached the top
Of the shaft they drank IN the
fresh air eagerly. Their faces were
crimy from smoke. They appeared
weary. one or two essayed Sickly
crins. but most Of them appeared
thankful that the mutiny was
ended
In the first cagelosd were Tom
McMahan and Red Aldridge,
leaders OF the mutiny McMahan
Is serving 20 TO 40 years for rob-
berry. He escaped in January. 1884,
with several others but was recap
tured four DAYS later when the no.
torious Bob Brady. who planned the
break. was killed by officers near
Psols. Kan. AldridGe Is serving a
life term as an habitual criminal.
Yard Privileges Barred
DR.. J. NJ. Scott. chairman of the
prison board Of administration. an
nounced that all convicts in the
prison would be kept inside TODAY
There Will be no yard privileges. ~
he said. Neither VIII there be any
meeting with the mutineers' CON-
mittee 10 hear their grievances.
Had they come up voluntarily
We would have listened TO their de-
msnds. but We had TO go down after
them
Its fortunate no one was in
Jured. our prison officers are to be
praised for their courage and
loyalty"
State Farm FugitiveS Hunted