Evening star., 1952-11-19
Shotgun Blasts 0ueI|
Michigan Prison Riot;
Probe Is Launched
BY the Asseeiofed Press

JACKSON, Mich. Nov. 19.-
With rioting inmates subdued un-
der shotgun blasts, authorities at
Southern Michigan Prison today
began an investigation in which
they hoped to pin the blame for
the third major uprising there
this year.
The uprising broke out in the
mess hall last night. For a time
there were 1900 wildly milling
rioters involved. Some had
knives grabbed from the kitchen.
Others had clubs.
More than 20 shotgun blasts
were fired into the air. So were
several bursts from a submachine-
gun before the two-hour dis
turbance was quelled. One con-
vict suffered a scalp cut from a
flying missile.
No Trouble During Night.
Warden William H. Bannan re-
ported this morning that "the stu
alton is still well under control"
He said there was no trouble dur
Ing the night.
A flying squad Of six armed
guards was kept on alert in the
rotunda, prison nerve center.
Armed guards also patrolled the
roofs and other key points.
The warden said six convicts
suspected Of setting of the spark
Of the riot were in solitary await
Ing hearings that will start Thurs
day before the Prison Disciplinary
Board, composed of five prison Of
ficialS.
One Death May Result.
One death may result from
the riot. Capt. Earl Secrist, one
Of 140 State troopers speeding to
the scene. lost control of his car
and hit a tree. Hospital attend
ants said he was not expected
to live.
The same scream in the mess
hall that set off a bloody. million
dollar general riot in April, ignited|
last nights uprising. It was:
There's salt in the coffee" Al
less violent riot occurred in July,
which resulted in the firing of the
then warden, Julian N. Frisbie
Republicans charged that the
Democratic administration of Gov.
G. Mennen Williams was to blame
for the April and July riots. G.
o. P. officials said Gov. Williams
granted certain favors" to con-
victs for political reasons"
Mr.. Frisbie charged that his
handling of the two riots was
handicapped by the interference
of State officials, particularly State
Corrections Commissioner Ernest
Brooks.
Both Gov. Williams and Mr..
Brooks denied the charges at the
time.
No Hostages Taken.
None of the IS to 40 unarmed
guards inside the prison, the
worlds largest walled penitentiary, :,
was grabbed as hostages this time.
Assistant Deputy Warden Charles
Cahill, who led a squad Of eight
shotgun-armed guards that finally
forced submission last night. said
the rioting undoubtedly" was
part of an escape plot. No escape
came of, however.
When the rioting flared, the 600
inmates in the mess hall turned
over huge pots of spaghetti. Then
they stormed the butcher shop.
They also raided the bakery. Fires
were started but extinguished be-
fore damage resulted.
Guards Go Into Action.
There were approximately 2,200|
milling wildly in the yards and
buildings when the eight shotgun
armed guards went into action.
Quickly the convicts quit upsetting
of tables and other mischief in the
mess hall. The guards then
cleared the kitchen and moved on
to restore order in the prison.
Then Commissioner Brooks
ordered the 5000 to 5000 inmates
fed. They got beef stew, prepared
for today.