Malicious Mischief? Women’s Suffrage in Scotland

Letter from Mr Dodds, Scottish Office to the Governor, H.M. Prison Edinburgh and forwarded to the Prison Commissioners, 8^th December 1909. States that Edith Hudson's petition has been considered by the Secretary for Scotland, who finds no grounds for compliance. Annotated with comments from the Governor and Mr MacKewell. p1

Letter from Mr Dodds, Scottish Office to the Governor, H.M. Prison Edinburgh and forwarded to the Prison Commissioners, 8^th December 1909. States that Edith Hudson's petition has been considered by the Secretary for Scotland, who finds no grounds for compliance. Annotated with comments from the Governor and Mr MacKewell. p2

Minutes of communication between the Governor of Edinburgh Prison and the Prison Commissioners, 9^th-10^th December 1909. Concerns the liberation of Edith Hudson on payment of fine. "Commissioners: When it was intimated to her that her fine was paid she made no objection and remarked 'that it was just like her mother to be so determined'. W Stewart Governor." Cutting from ‘The Scotsman’, 9^th December 1909, attached. The headline reads “Suffragist Disturbances: Second Prisoner Liberated from Calton Jail” and details the liberation of Edith Hudson from Calton Jail. p1

Minutes of communication between the Governor of Edinburgh Prison and the Prison Commissioners, 9^th-10^th December 1909. Concerns the liberation of Edith Hudson on payment of fine. "Commissioners: When it was intimated to her that her fine was paid she made no objection and remarked 'that it was just like her mother to be so determined'. W Stewart Governor." Cutting from ‘The Scotsman’, 9^th December 1909, attached. The headline reads “Suffragist Disturbances: Second Prisoner Liberated from Calton Jail” and details the liberation of Edith Hudson from Calton Jail. p2

Post office telegraph dated 8^th December 1909, addressed to McKewell 11 Rutland Square Edinburgh.

“Congratulations delighted at office give any food.
Scott.”

Note of telegram sent to the Master of Polwarth, Chariman of the Prison Commissioner, c/o Albyn, Scottish Office, London, 8^th December 1909. "Breakfast taken at Calton without trouble. MacKewell."

Draft letter from Prison Commissioners to Under Secretary of State, 7^th December 1909. States that Elsie Roe Brown has been liberated on payment of her fine but that Edith Hudson has so far refused to eat and has been warned that artificial feeding is likely.

Reports from the Governor and Medical Officer, H.M. Prison Edinburgh, 6^th-20^th December 1909. Concerns the behaviour of the prisoners, both of whom have refused to eat, with comments from the Prison Commissioners in Edinburgh critical of the Governor's handling of their cases.

Report to the Governor of Edinburgh Prison, dated 7^th December 1909. States that Edith Hudson has received a careful medical examination by the medical officer Henry Hay, and he is of the opinion she is in good health and there is no reason not to feed artificially if necessary.

A note is added underneath, reporting that the prisoner has relented and taken breakfast that morning.

A series of notes stamped 10^th December 1909, reporting the liberation of Edith Hudson on part payment of her fine.

Report to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 6^th December 1909. Elsie Rowe Brown and Edith Hudson have been received by the prison and allowed themselves ‘to be bathed [and] dressed in the prison clothes’. They have requested books and are refusing food. Notes on the back indicate the Commissioners dissatisfaction with the Governor’s reports on this case. p1

Report to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 6^th December 1909. Elsie Rowe Brown and Edith Hudson have been received by the prison and allowed themselves ‘to be bathed [and] dressed in the prison clothes’. They have requested books and are refusing food. Notes on the back indicate the Commissioners dissatisfaction with the Governor’s reports on this case. p2

Cover paper for this file. Handwritten on the front, “Suffragettes Edinburgh, 6 Dec[ember] 1909. Admission of suffragette prisoners, Elsie Rowe Brown [and ] Edith Hudson. HH/16/38”