Deer Lodge in Powell County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
1959 Riot
Old Montana Prison
Photographed By Don Morfe, June 13, 1997
1. 1959 Riot Marker
Inscription.
1959 Riot. Old Montana Prison. On the afternoon of April 16, Jerry Myles and Lee Smart led a band of inmates in a violent riot against prison authorities. Seizing a rifle from the catwalk guard, they took control of the 1912 cell house.
Forcing their way into the administration building, the rioting inmates shot and killed Deputy Warren Ted Rothe and then took 19 prison employees and 5 inmates (stool pigeons) as hostages. The inmates threatened to burn the hostages alive if any attempt was made to rescue them.
In a daring rescue plan formed by Warden Floyd Powell, National Guardsmen fired a bazooka at the northwest tower of the cell house headquartered. The blast stunned the inmates long enough for a rescue team to free the hostages. Myles and Smart were found dead in the third floor of the tower, apparently a double suicide.
Although the riot drew attention to the numerous problems within the prison, it would be another twenty years before the old prison was closed down.
If you look at the cell house tower, you can still see the damage caused by the bazooka shell fired during the rescue attempt.
On the afternoon of April 16, Jerry Myles and Lee Smart led a band of inmates in a violent riot against prison authorities. Seizing a rifle from the catwalk guard, they took control of the 1912 cell house.
Forcing their way into the administration building, the rioting inmates shot and killed Deputy Warren Ted Rothe and then took 19 prison employees and 5 inmates (stool pigeons) as hostages. The inmates threatened to burn the hostages alive if any attempt was made to rescue them.
In a daring rescue plan formed by Warden Floyd Powell, National Guardsmen fired a bazooka at the northwest tower of the cell house headquartered. The blast stunned the inmates long enough for a rescue team to free the hostages. Myles and Smart were found dead in the third floor of the tower, apparently a double suicide.
Although the riot drew attention to the numerous problems within the prison, it would be another twenty years before the old prison was closed down.
If you look at the cell house tower, you can still see the damage caused by the bazooka shell fired during the rescue attempt.
Erected by Old Prison Museums.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical date for this entry is April 16, 1912.
Location. 46° 23.56′ N, 112°
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44.158′ W. Marker is in Deer Lodge, Montana, in Powell County. Marker is on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1106 Main Street, Deer Lodge MT 59722, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 517 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 6, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
