REVOLT IN GAOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21333, 7 November 1932, Page 9

REVOLT IN GAOL

NEGRO AS LEADER WORKSHOP BURNED DOWN NINE WARDERS INJURED PRISONERS IN PERIL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrieht (Received November G, 6.35 p.m.) MONTREAL, Nov. 5 Nine warders were injured yesterday, when a revolt, accompanied by a fire, broke out in St. Vincent de Paul penitentiary on the Isle of Jesus, in St. Lawrence River, 15 miles from Montreal. Four of the prisoners were injured. A giant .negro, Crossley, led the others in an attack on three warders in the tailors' shop. Knives and clubs, obtained in some mysterious fashion, were used. The warders were injured when they were rushed and also suffered severe burns. After attacking the warders the prisoners set the workshop on fire and it was destroyed. A concerted effort to escape was quelled and the warders eventually succeeded in placing all the prisoners back in their cells. More than 1000 are in the prison. Several of the inmates suffered burns. One prisoner was rescued in an unconscious condition by a fireman from a cell on the upper floor of the burning block. Negro's Attempted Suicide A searching inquiry is to be made immediately into the revolt. The workshop destroyed was valued at £IOO,OOO. The condition of the negro Crossley, who stabbed himself when the outbreak failed, is critical. The affair seems to have been carefully planned. An escape was intended, which would have let loose hundreds of prisoners to pour into Montreal. The failure of 80 men outside the gaol to see Crossley's signal and the quick action of the warders are believed to have saved the situation.

The trouble flared up in the tailors' shop when, it is understood, Crossley threw some gasoline on to a pile of waste and set fire to it. Warders dashed over and were set upon by, 30 men who had armed themselves with knives and hammers. Prisoners Rescued by Firemen Major Emil Jacques, head of tho tailoring department, was crowded into a corner and tossed into the flames, but he was rescued when the warders poured into the building. .One warder, Aube, was slabbed in th.e neck. Another, l'orest. was knocked down. The flames spread rapidly as the prisoners cut the hose brought in by the warders. The combatants " milled about" but the warders, aided by the smoke, assumed command and ushered 100 prisoners out of the building to the cells in the main gaol. Thirty prisoners were trapped on the fourth floor. They were thoroughly frightened, but were rescued by firemen who used hacksaws to cut through the bars.

Crossley had fled to a cupboard where he stabbed himself. He was rescued by the firemen who trained a hose on him until they had cut a way through to him. The revolt then was definitely over.