Imperial Valley press., 1935-06-18
HOLD GUARDS
AS HOSTAGES
BELOW EARTH.
CContinued from Page y


believed the prisoners hoped to
smash the lights so they could
swarm over the cage in a surprise
attack on cover Of darkness.
Talk With Superintendent
Robert H. Murray, mine superin-
tendent, who went into the mine
passages TO talk with the mutinous
leaders and learn the cause for the
strike, had not returned and it was
presumed he had been made a
prisoner with the II guards.
Shortly before the attack Johnson
and the other guards heard Murray
calling that he had met the prison.
ers and was discussing their
grievances with them. The attack
however, indicated members Of the
mob had become unruly and de-
termined to fight for possession OF
the guns in the cage.
The cage. eight feet square il
protected by steel bars. It is equip
ped with shotguns, rifles. reVolvers
and tear gas guns and bombs. There
also is an adequate supply Of am
munition
No food was sent TO the strikers
at noon. They have adequate water
supplies, however.
The guards held prisoners are
Nathan Van Meter. John Heaslop,
Levi Day, Milt Gould, James Ska
han, John Edwards. Gabe Kamer-
shack, Dave White. James Wilson,
Joseph Studdard and Frank Sa-
waski
Early reports were 299 men were
involved in the strike, but Warden
Simpson later revised his figures
and announced $50 prisoners were
in the mine.
LANSING. Kans.. June l3. UP
A prison mutiny with the poten-
tial threat Of a riot, broke uneX-
pectedly at the Kansas state pri-
son today
Deep in the prison coal mine, 72O
feet below the ground, 299 prison
ers isolated themselves. Three hours
later no word had come from them
and prison officials had not learn
ed the cause Of their grievance or
their demands.
The prisoners held dozen guards
as hostages. -Four other officials
who went into the shaft 10 de
termine the cause Of the mutiny
did not return and no word came
back from them over the single
telephone wire the mutineers did
not cut
Warden Lacey NJ. Simpson sta
toned two score guards, armed
with tear gas bombs. al the head
Of the shaft ana took personal
charge. He said he had no idea Of
the cause Of the mutiny. There had
been no recent signs Of unrest ne
said.
The mutiny occurred. apparent
~ by careful prearTangement just
after the prisoners were taken into
the mine at 6:l5 o'clock. All had
been marched from breakfast to
the shaft and lowered to the 100
foot level
A few minutes later Robert
Murray, mine superintendent
rushed into the warden's office
with news Of ohe nUtny.
Leaders of the strike had sent
him back wlth word. They had not
Communicated their demands Il
him, however He did not know ii
any Of tie men We're armed None
OF the mine guards carried guns.
Guards on the prison walls were
ordered increased and Lacey PLACED
the special guard at the mine head
Other prisoners were sent back tC
their cell blocks. There was nC
announcement Of the mutiny bu
every prisoner seemed TO learn o.
il quickly
With the guards placed and ever
nrecaution taken against turthe
outbreak Warden Lacey attempte'
tc communicate with the leader
of the revolt IL was then discov
RED that an bus one telephone lin
lnto the mine had been severed. ~
wcra came through over the lon
remainiug Line
Murray. aia brother Fred MuI
ray. John Stewart and John Chris
tian. an ed hands at the prison
volunteered 10 90. down and tai
with the prisoners leaders.
Al the principal mine level, how
t.tIs,f tNaN 1tenoNpred the shat