Malicious Mischief? Women’s Suffrage in Scotland

Covering sheet with ‘Suffragettes’ and ‘Frances Gordon’ handwritten on the front.

A note on H. M. Prisons, Scotland headed paper marked as ‘Confidential’ Reads, “Frances Gordon, suffragette, Perth Prison. Age?40. Glasgow High Court 23 June 1914. 12 mo[nths] imp[risonment]. Breaking into a house with the intent to set fire to said house”.

Printed statement with headline ‘Disgraceful Treatment in Perth Prison.’ Mabel Jones, M.D., details forcible feeding and injection into the bowel three times a day against Frances Gordon. ‘When seen in the night of July 3^rd, her appearance was terrible; she looked like a famine victim – her skin brown, the bones of her face projecting, her eyes half closed, her voice a whisper, her lower lip sore, her hands quite cold, her pulse a thread… her breath was most offensive, unlike anything I have smelt before. She had no control over the bowel, and its contents smelt as her breath did.’

Letter from Janie Allan to Dr Devon, [of the Prison Commission], 14?July 1914. Expresses concern about the cases of the suffragettes Helen Crawfurd, Janet Arthur and Arabella Scott. p1

Letter from Janie Allan to Dr Devon, [of the Prison Commission], 14^th July 1914. Expresses concern about the cases of the suffragettes Helen Crawfurd, Janet Arthur and Arabella Scott. p2

Letter from Janie Allan to Dr Devon, [of the Prison Commission], 14^th July 1914. Expresses concern about the cases of the suffragettes Helen Crawfurd, Janet Arthur and Arabella Scott. p3

Letter from John Lamb to the Master of Polwarth, 14^th July 1914 about the case of Frances Gordon and questions raised by her friend Janet Arthur. Notes that the “cause” is likely to exploit the situation and story ‘for all they are worth with their usual economy of truth.’ p1

Letter from John Lamb to the Master of Polwarth, 14^th July 1914 about the case of Frances Gordon and questions raised by her friend Janet Arthur. Notes that the “cause” is likely to exploit the situation and story ‘for all they are worth with their usual economy of truth.’ p2

Letter from John Lamb to the Master of Polwarth, undated. ‘Quite clear that it would not do to try to buy off these ladies by liberating the Perth prisoners however you have had to let Gordon go in the circumstances you could not have kept her… I suppose it was certain she was not drugging herself.’ Notes a rumoured plot of the suffragettes smuggling in pills in the form of ‘buttons’ to induce sickness in prison. p1

Letter from John Lamb to the Master of Polwarth, undated. ‘Quite clear that it would not do to try to buy off these ladies by liberating the Perth prisoners however you have had to let Gordon go in the circumstances you could not have kept her… I suppose it was certain she was not drugging herself.’ Notes a rumoured plot of the suffragettes smuggling in pills in the form of ‘buttons’ to induce sickness in prison. p2

Letter from John Lamb to the Master of Polwarth, 9^th July 1914. Thanks for letter of 7^th which was shown to the Secretary for Scotland. p1

Letter from John Lamb to the Master of Polwarth, 9^th July 1914. Thanks for letter of 7^th which was shown to the Secretary for Scotland. p2

Letter from the Prison Commission for Scotland to the Governor of Perth Prison, 11^th July 1914. Sends a statement by Dr Mabel Jones regarding the treatment of Frances Gordon and asks him to forward to the Commissioners a full report by the Medical Officer on Gordon’s treatment, as well as any observations he has on Dr Jones’ statement. p1

LLetter from the Prison Commission for Scotland to the Governor of Perth Prison, 11^th July 1914. Sends a statement by Dr Mabel Jones regarding the treatment of Frances Gordon and asks him to forward to the Commissioners a full report by the Medical Officer on Gordon’s treatment, as well as any observations he has on Dr Jones’ statement. p2

Report by Dr H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer at Perth Prison, 12^th July 1914. Provides detailed account of Frances Gordon's treatment and condition in Perth Prison from 23^rd June to 3^rd July 1914, arguing that most of the statements in the report by Dr Mabel Jones are incorrect. Includes the opinion that Frances Gordon had undergone a course of systematic drugging before entering the prison. p1

Report by Dr H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer at Perth Prison, 12^th July 1914. Provides detailed account of Frances Gordon's treatment and condition in Perth Prison from 23^rd June to 3^rd July 1914, arguing that most of the statements in the report by Dr Mabel Jones are incorrect. Includes the opinion that Frances Gordon had undergone a course of systematic drugging before entering the prison. p2

Report by Dr H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer at Perth Prison, 12^th July 1914. Provides detailed account of Frances Gordon's treatment and condition in Perth Prison from 23^rd June to 3^rd July 1914, arguing that most of the statements in the report by Dr Mabel Jones are incorrect. Includes the opinion that Frances Gordon had undergone a course of systematic drugging before entering the prison. p3

Report by Dr H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer at Perth Prison, 12^th July 1914. Provides detailed account of Frances Gordon's treatment and condition in Perth Prison from 23^rd June to 3^rd July 1914, arguing that most of the statements in the report by Dr Mabel Jones are incorrect. Includes the opinion that Frances Gordon had undergone a course of systematic drugging before entering the prison. p4

Report by Dr H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer at Perth Prison, 12^th July 1914. Provides detailed account of Frances Gordon's treatment and condition in Perth Prison from 23^rd June to 3^rd July 1914, arguing that most of the statements in the report by Dr Mabel Jones are incorrect. Includes the opinion that Frances Gordon had undergone a course of systematic drugging before entering the prison. p5

Report by Dr H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer at Perth Prison, 12^th July 1914. Provides detailed account of Frances Gordon's treatment and condition in Perth Prison from 23^rd June to 3^rd July 1914, arguing that most of the statements in the report by Dr Mabel Jones are incorrect. Includes the opinion that Frances Gordon had undergone a course of systematic drugging before entering the prison. p6

Report by Dr H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer at Perth Prison, 12^th July 1914. Provides detailed account of Frances Gordon's treatment and condition in Perth Prison from 23^rd June to 3^rd July 1914, arguing that most of the statements in the report by Dr Mabel Jones are incorrect. Includes the opinion that Frances Gordon had undergone a course of systematic drugging before entering the prison. p7

The Scottish Office minutes of communication, 10^th to 13^th July 1914. Discussion of answer to Parliamentary Question by Lord Hugh Cecil about forcible feeding in Perth Prison. p1

The Scottish Office minutes of communication, 10^th to 13^th July 1914. Discussion of answer to Parliamentary Question by Lord Hugh Cecil about forcible feeding in Perth Prison. p2

Copy letter from H.J. Gillespie, 9^th July 1914. Expresses horror at content of statement by Dr Mabel Jones and asks that forcible feeding of suffragettes is ceased. "I do not wish to enter into the question of any justification for the acts which this woman and others have committed but rather to acquaint you of the fact that there is a steadily rising tide of indignation throughout the country against this horrible practice of forcible feeding." p1

Copy letter from H.J. Gillespie, 9^th July 1914. Expresses horror at content of statement by Dr Mabel Jones and asks that forcible feeding of suffragettes is ceased. "I do not wish to enter into the question of any justification for the acts which this woman and others have committed but rather to acquaint you of the fact that there is a steadily rising tide of indignation throughout the country against this horrible practice of forcible feeding." p2

Copy report by Dr Mable Jones on the case of Miss Gordon, Suffragist Prisoner in Perth for Attempted Arson. Details doctors injecting salt and water into her bowel, force feeding and Miss Gordon’s ‘famine like appearance’. p1

Copy report by Dr Mable Jones on the case of Miss Gordon, Suffragist Prisoner in Perth for Attempted Arson. Details doctors injecting salt and water into her bowel, force feeding and Miss Gordon’s ‘famine like appearance’. p2

Notice for question to the Secretary of State for Scotland from Lord Hugh Cecil about the treatment of female prisoner in Perth prison and whether he is aware of the case.

Handwritten note asking for enquiries to be made to Scotland Yard to discover if they know of Suffragette Gordon.

Letter from the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 27^th June 1914. Forwards two letters addressed to Arabella C. Scott and Frances Gordon and asks instructions about what to do with them. The Medical Officer is of the opinion they should not be given to the prisoners.

Letter from the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 27^th June 1914. Informs that a Mr McKenzie, writer, visited the prison to ask to speak with Frances Gordon. He is to contact the Prison Commissioners by telephone and will be told when Frances Gordon will be released from prison.

Telegram from the House of Commons to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 24^th June 1914. The Secretary for Scotland approves of proceeding as proposed.

Minutes from the Prison Commissioners for Scotland to the Secretary of State for Scotland, 24^th June 1914. Forcible feeding to begin at once in the case of Frances Gordon. The Secretary for State concurs.

Telegram to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland from Angus McKenzie, writer, 27^th June 1914. He is to visit Frances Gordon on business.

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 27^th June 1914. States that Mr MacKenzie, writer, has arrived at the prison and wishes to visit Frances Gordon but that the visit has been refused on medical grounds, and requests instructions from the Prison Commissioners. p1

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 27^th June 1914. States that Mr MacKenzie, writer, has arrived at the prison and wishes to visit Frances Gordon but that the visit has been refused on medical grounds, and requests instructions from the Prison Commissioners. p2

Letter from A. Drysdale, the Governor of Duke Street Prison, Glasgow, to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 23^rd June 1914. Frances Gordon has been sent from the High Court buildings, Glasgow, direct to Perth Prison on the 4.45pm train from Glasgow.

Newspaper clipping from the Glasgow Evening Times, Tuesday 23^rd June 1914. Headline reads ‘High Court in Glasgow. Rutherglen Mansion-House Fire. Suffragist Sentenced.’ Article describes Frances Gordon as a ‘militant suffragist’ and that she was charged with ‘breaking into Springhall House, Rutherglen, with intent to set it on fire.’ On the night in question, the armed caretaker of the house took hold of Frances Gordon ‘outside the big wooden gates’ and shot his revolver twice. Gordon is stated to have said “Don’t shoot me, I’ll come.” Three flasks of paraffin, other combustibles and a revolver were found on the premises. Lord Cullen sentenced Gordon to one year’s imprisonment.

Report from W. B. Buglass, the Governor of Duke Street Prison Glasgow, to the Prison Commissioners, 4^th April 1914. States that Frances Gordon was admitted as an untried prisoner yesterday evening and released on payment of bail this morning. The charge was house breaking with intent to set fire.

File covering sheet. Handwritten on the front “Suffragettes. Duke St[reet], 4.4.14. Prison[er] Frances Gordon (Suffragist) admitted to prison and subsequently liberated on bail”.

The Secretary for Scotland’s answers to Parliamentary Questions relating to Frances Gordon and her treatment in prison. 16^th July 1914. p1

The Secretary for Scotland’s answers to Parliamentary Questions relating to Frances Gordon and her treatment in prison. 16^th July 1914. p2

Newspaper clipping from the Scotsman, 17^th July 1914. Headline reads ‘Forcible Feeding of a Suffragette in Perth Prison. Mr Pratt asked the Secretary of Scotland would make a statement on the condition of Frances Gordon upon her release from prison. The Secretary of Scotland’s response is noted; stated that the doctor was convinced that Gordon had undergone ‘systematic drugging’ before entering prison.

Note to say that the Secretary for Scotland has decided not to re-arrest Frances Gordon whether she had broken conditions of licence or not but to remit the remainder of the sentence. 12^th August 1914.

Newspaper clipping from the Scotsman, 28^th July 1914. Reports on the Parliamentary Question from T. M. Healy about Dr Mabel Jones’ report and the Secretary for Scotland’s response. The question of whether Frances Gordon was drugged is raised and determining the identity of the doctor that assessed Gordon.

Answer by the Secretary for Scotland to T. M. Healy’s question about Dr Mabel Jones’ report into the treatment of Frances Gordon. 28 July 1914.

Scottish Office minutes of communication, 24^th and 25^th July 1914. Discussion over an answer to a Parliamentary Question by Timothy Michael Healy M.P. about methods used in forcibly feeding Frances Gordon. p1

Scottish Office minutes of communication, 24^th and 25^th July 1914. Discussion over an answer to a Parliamentary Question by Timothy Michael Healy M.P. about methods used in forcibly feeding Frances Gordon. p2

Newspaper clipping from the Edinburgh Evening News, 10^th July 1914. Headline reads ‘The Perth Hunger Striker.’ Article describes the appearance of Frances Gordon after her release from prison.

Report from A. D. Drysdale, Governor of Duke Street Prison, Glasgow to the Prison Commissioners, 10^th July 1914. States that Frances Gordon has not returned to Duke Street Prison contrary to the conditions of her discharge from Perth Prison.

Letter from J. Stevenson, Chief Constable, City of Glasgow Police, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 9^th July 1914. Reports that shortly after Frances Gordon arrived at the Central Nursing Home, two ladies, one in a weak condition, and a gentleman, were taken in a taxi cab to a house on Strathblane Road. It is suspected that one of them was Frances Gordon.

Letter from B. Thomson, the Criminal Record Office, New Scotland Yard, to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 6^th July 1914. Requests a full description of Frances Gordon, Suffragette, with details of the offence committed. p1

Letter from B. Thomson, the Criminal Record Office, New Scotland Yard, to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 6^th July 1914. Requests a full description of Frances Gordon, Suffragette, with details of the offence committed. p2

Completed form which includes a description of Frances Gordon and her committed crime. Described as ‘a small, thin faced, diminutive looking person. Nose slightly pug.’ p1

Completed form which includes a description of Frances Gordon and her committed crime. Described as ‘a small, thin faced, diminutive looking person. Nose slightly pug.’ p2

Minutes noting that the Secretary for Scotland has withdrawn the warrant relating to Frances Gordon’s imprisonment. 9^th July 1914.

Letter from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 3 July 1914. Reports that Frances Gordon was discharged from Perth Prison at 3.40pm and escorted to the Central Nursing Home, Blythswood Square, Glasgow. Her removal was carried out secretly. p1

Letter from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 3 July 1914. Reports that Frances Gordon was discharged from Perth Prison at 3.40pm and escorted to the Central Nursing Home, Blythswood Square, Glasgow. Her removal was carried out secretly. p2

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 30^th June 1914. Communicates that Frances Gordon’s fingerprints have been forwarded, but that they are of poor quality because of her struggling when they were taken. Notes that is was impossible to take Gordon’s photograph as she ‘distorted her face to all conceivable shape’. On medical grounds, no attempt was made to take Arabella Scott’s fingerprints. The Governor seeks instructions on whether to try and capture a better image and fingerprints of Frances Gordon. The Prison Commissioners responded, ‘nothing should be done to further excite or weaken prisoner at present’. A further suggestion by H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to attempt to photograph Gordon when she is asleep was rejected by the Prison Commissioners, however they suggest trying to take her photograph upon discharge from the prison. This failed. p1

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 30^th June 1914. Communicates that Frances Gordon’s fingerprints have been forwarded, but that they are of poor quality because of her struggling when they were taken. Notes that is was impossible to take Gordon’s photograph as she ‘distorted her face to all conceivable shape’. On medical grounds, no attempt was made to take Arabella Scott’s fingerprints. The Governor seeks instructions on whether to try and capture a better image and fingerprints of Frances Gordon. The Prison Commissioners responded, ‘nothing should be done to further excite or weaken prisoner at present’. A further suggestion by H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to attempt to photograph Gordon when she is asleep was rejected by the Prison Commissioners, however they suggest trying to take her photograph upon discharge from the prison. This failed. p2

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 30^th June 1914. Communicates that Frances Gordon’s fingerprints have been forwarded, but that they are of poor quality because of her struggling when they were taken. Notes that is was impossible to take Gordon’s photograph as she ‘distorted her face to all conceivable shape’. On medical grounds, no attempt was made to take Arabella Scott’s fingerprints. The Governor seeks instructions on whether to try and capture a better image and fingerprints of Frances Gordon. The Prison Commissioners responded, ‘nothing should be done to further excite or weaken prisoner at present’. A further suggestion by H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to attempt to photograph Gordon when she is asleep was rejected by the Prison Commissioners, however they suggest trying to take her photograph upon discharge from the prison. This failed. p3

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 4^th July 1914. Notes that the Chief Constable of Glasgow has been sent a copy of the licence relating to the discharge of Frances Gordon.

An order for the temporary discharge of Frances Gordon under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act 1913, and associated conditions. 10^th July 1914. p1

An order for the temporary discharge of Frances Gordon under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act 1913, and associated conditions. 10^th July 1914. p2

Letter from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer to the Governor of Perth Prison, 3^rd July 1914. Reports that Frances Gordon’s condition ‘now begins to cause anxiety.’ Includes details of her condition and that she is fit to travel to Glasgow with an assistant. ‘I am strongly of the opinion that this case was not suitable for forcible feeding; but I was unable to give that information before a careful trial had been given.’

Letter from the Criminal Record Office (Finger Print Section) to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 3^rd July 1914. Reports that the photograph sent to them was not recognised by any of the officers. Requests renewed finger prints as the set given are badly blurred.

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 29^th June 1914. Two letters were received for Arabella Scott and Frances which the Medical Officer thinks they should not receive. The Governor requests instructions, and the Prison Commissioners confirm that they should not be given the letters. p1

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 29^th June 1914. Two letters were received for Arabella Scott and Frances which the Medical Officer thinks they should not receive. The Governor requests instructions, and the Prison Commissioners confirm that they should not be given the letters. p2

Discussions between the Governor of Perth Prison and the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 25^th July – 3^rd July 1914 concerning the force feeding of Frances Gordon. The Medical Officer is of the opinion that she should be discharged on licence due to her poor health. p1

Discussions between the Governor of Perth Prison and the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 25^th July – 3^rd July 1914 concerning the force feeding of Frances Gordon. The Medical Officer is of the opinion that she should be discharged on licence due to her poor health. p2

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, 29^th June 1914. Reports that: Frances Gordon was force fed twice last night; she appeared weaker in the morning and there was difficulty feeding her; she is very nervous and easily upset; although her health appears weaker, this does not suggest that her life is in danger and he considers her fit for further treatment. p1

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, 29^th June 1914. Reports that: Frances Gordon was force fed twice last night; she appeared weaker in the morning and there was difficulty feeding her; she is very nervous and easily upset; although her health appears weaker, this does not suggest that her life is in danger and he considers her fit for further treatment. p2

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, 2nd July 1914. Reports on an enema given to Frances Gordon and her force feeding. She is weaker than yesterday and her temperature has fallen. Though her condition is not quite satisfactory she is considered fit for further treatment.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, Governor of Perth Prison, 1^st July 1914. Frances Gordon was given three enemas to prevent her vomiting up the food given by mouth. Her sleeping improved as did her sickness. Her temperature is steadily falling. She is fit for further treatment.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, 30^th June 1914. Notes that Frances Gordon had a bad day yesterday. She was nervous bilious and showing the effects of a lack of sleep. She regurgitated milk and fluid magnesia immediately after being force fed. Though her condition is weaker, she was given an enema which was retained. The Medical Officer notes that there is no immediate risk to her health and that she is fit for further treatment.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, 28^th June 1914. He notes that: Frances Gordon was much exhausted after struggling while being photographed and having her fingerprints taken yesterday; she had been very nervous and was not sleeping well; she was force fed which resulted in some regurgitation; concludes that she is still ‘fit for further treatment’. p1

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, 28^th June 1914. He notes that: Frances Gordon was much exhausted after struggling while being photographed and having her fingerprints taken yesterday; she had been very nervous and was not sleeping well; she was force fed which resulted in some regurgitation; concludes that she is still ‘fit for further treatment’. p2

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, 27^th June 1914. Records that Frances Gordon was fed twice in the last 24 hours and that since Dr Dunlop visited she has been ‘emotional, much upset [and] hysterical’. Watson believes that Gordon’s rise in temperature is due to the ‘nervous excitement’ produced by struggling when her photographs and fingerprints were taken.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, 26^th June 1914. Frances Gordon is “of a highly neurotic and hysterical temperament: there has been more or less nervous prostration since I told her I had orders to feed her”. Reports that’s she has a narrow pharynx and nasopharynx and has great difficulty in breathing after the tube is passed down. Notes that while ‘[h]er condition is not so good as on admission…there is no cause for anxiety’.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, 25^th June 1914. Records that: Frances Gordon has taken no food since admission; has been restless but given no trouble; she suffered much sickness and vomiting on night of admission and yesterday; she was artificially fed last night; and that her health is satisfactory and ‘fit for further treatment’.

Minute sent to the Medical Advisor from William Harvey, 4^th July 1914, to report that Frances Gordon was liberated on licence yesterday and removed at her own request to the Central Nursing Home, 1 Blythswood Square, Glasgow.

Newspaper clipping from The Times, 6^th July 1914. Headline reads ‘Forcible Feeding. Position of the Bishop of London. No Sympathy with Militants.’ The Bishop of London dismisses the drugging of suffragists and says that ‘our sympathy should go out to that great and law abiding army of women who for years have endeavoured to obtain the vote by constitutional means.’

Copy of Scottish Office minutes of communication. Notes that on 7^th December 1912 Mary Brown alias Emily Wilding Davidson (Suffragist) appeared in Aberdeen Police Court for Assault. Sentenced to 40 shillings of 10 days imprisonment. The Prison Commissioners request approval of the Secretary for Scotland to the suggestion of the Governor that the accused be treated as a civil prisoner. Note on 10^th December ‘I understand this woman is now out.’

Further annotated "Deceased 4^th June 1913 - Knocked over by King's horse at Derby."

Report from the Governor of Aberdeen Prison to the Prison Commissioners, Edinburgh, 6^th December 1912. States that Mary Brown (Emily Wilding Davison) is being treated as a civil prisoner pending the approval of the Secretary for Scotland. Newspaper cutting from the Scotsman, 12^th December 1912 is attached. Headline reads ‘A Suffragist and Forcible Feeding.’ This extract is a letter written to the paper by Emily Wilding Davison, concerning the circumstances of her release from prison. She declares that the ‘truth is that Bonnie Scotland will not adopt the barbarity of forcible feeding!’.

Newspaper cutting from the Aberdeen Free Press, 6^th December 1912. Describes the events of Mary Brown's trial, including details of the offence. Headline reads ‘Attack on Aberdeen Minister. Suffragist Sentenced. Remarkable Speech in Defence. Hunger Strike at Craiginches.’ p1