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History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at IntoHistory.com. It's a cold, drizzly night on November 14, 1917, about 20 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.

Superintendent W.H. Whitaker stands outside the gates of the facility he supervises, the Acaquan Workhouse,

a correctional facility in Fairfax County, Virginia. Rain drop slide from the brim of his cap as he

awaits the arrival of a fresh batch of inmates. In the distance, he sees headlamps loom through

the drizzle and fog. It's a convoy of police fans creeping up to the prison gates.

A young officer steps out of one vehicle and hurries up to Whitaker, shouting over the rain,

same again, sir. Whitaker growls back how many this time. The officer shrugs. Hard to say,

maybe around 30?

Whitaker grimaces.

Not long ago, Akaquan was a typical correctional facility,

containing vagrants, thieves, and ruffians.

But over the last few months,

Whitaker has witnessed an influx of a new breed of inmate,

suffragists,

those petticoated troublemakers with their incessant cries of votes for women. Whitaker grumbles again under his breath as he waves the police fans through.

Moments later, Whitaker strides into the prison intake facility, where their new detainees are

being lined up. Whitaker scans the row of women,

his eyes gleaming with contempt. The superintendent warns the suffragists that in his prison

he will not tolerate disobedience. Any misbehavior will be promptly punished, with force if necessary.

One of the women returns Whitaker's gaze, fixing him with a recalcitrant stare. He recognizes

...