Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1898 — An Outbreak at the State’s Prison. [ARTICLE]

An Outbreak at the State’s Prison.

An out break of the prisoners confined in the state’s prison at Michigan City occurred on Thursday evening while the convicts were at supper. Guard Barnard, of Burlington, was on duty in the dining rsbm when two hundred convicts led by William Sauerwine, a fourteen year man from Vigo county, arose and commenced throwing tho heavy coffee cups used at the guards. Tumult reigned and no telling what damage might have resulted had not Nightwatchman Anderson chanced to hear the commotion and come in. He drew his gun and fired at Sauerwine hitting him at first shot and then turned the weapon on Surber, another of the leaders, a desperado from Marion county. The disturbance was quelled by the shooting of the leaders and the men were marched back to their cells. The men who were shot are not thought to be fatally injured.