There is no official documentation indicating a reason for the enmity that developed between Young and McCain. Rumors and subsequent trial testimony from other inmates would indicate that McCain had been making death threats toward Young following the failed escape. There were also the tales of McCain panicking during their escape attempt while in the water with Young, and begging to return to shore to reinforce their raft. Many would later state that Young directly blamed McCain for their capture and the death of Barker. Whatever the case may be, their animosity would result in a violent confrontation on August 29, 1939.

McCain had earned back work privileges, and had been given a job assignment as an orderly in D Block. On that day, as McCain passed Henri during his noontime lunch break, Young pulled out a dagger and lunged at McCain. Officer Joe Steere witnessed the altercation, and quickly slammed the cell door closed before Young was able to inflict any serious injury on McCain. Young was placed in isolation in D Block, and then transferred to an isolation cell in A Block on September 15, 1939. Less than two months later, Young was written up for violating the silence rule. Associate Warden E.J. Miller revoked his yard privileges for one week after Officer Richard Dennison reported that there had been “continued talking even when I was known in the vicinity.”  On December 15, 1939, prison officers conducted a search of Henri’s cell, and their findings would again place Henri into isolation. Officer M.A. Amende wrote in Young’s conduct report:

CONTRABAND IN CELL. While searching this inmate’s cell at 2 P.M. this date, I found a brass dagger hidden in the mattress. This weapon was fashioned from a brass plunger used to flush toilet. Report #1898 by M.A. Amende, Jr. Officer. ACTION: Denied any knowledge of the weapon. To be placed in solitary confinement on restricted diet and to forfeit all privileges until further orders. E.J. Miller, Associate Warden.

On September 15, 1939, Young was transferred to A Block with a small group of other inmates, and here he was moved into improvised isolation quarters. Fourteen months later, Henri Young was released back into the general population and given an immediate work assignment as a janitor in the furniture factory, which was then located on the top floor of the Model Shop building.

On December 3, 1940, the feud that had been smoldering between Henri and Rufus McCain finally turned deadly. Henri, now twenty-nine years of age, fatally stabbed McCain on the second floor of the Model Shop Building.

Young later provided his own account of the slaying in trial testimony. He stated in part:

That morning I went into breakfast. McCain was sitting across the room from me. He sneered at me and ran his finger across his throat. He meant he was going to cut my throat. I had a chill. It was like a cold, clammy snake had been put under my skin. When I went out, my head was burning. I went to my cell and got my coat and hat. At the foot of the steps I saw McCain. He made a filthy remark. I stopped and looked at him. Everything seemed to go blank. I went away.

The events of McCain’s Murder are also described in several accounts given by correctional officers who filed reports on the incident:

Memorandum

December 3, 1940

To: J. A. Johnston, Warden

From: E. J. Miller, Associate Warden

Re: ATTACK OF YOUNG #244-Az on Mc Cain #267-Az 12-3-1940.

Attached are copies of reports from the following officers relative to the attack by Young #244-Az on McCain #267-Az this date:

Junior Officer R. F. Spencer

Junior Officer Marshall G. Rose

Senior Officer Frank W. Mach

Paul M. Pone, Foreman Clothing Factory

Junior Officer Wesley C. Hicks

Lieutenant H. W. Weinhold.

At approximately 10 a.m. this date Officer Ordway in the Captain’s Office received a telephone call from Officer Pringle, Model Roof Patrol, that there was trouble in the Tailor Shop. Officer Ordway relayed the message to the Associate Warden and then the Associate Warden sent Officer Ordway to the work area. Lieutenant Weinhold called from the Tailor Shop and stated to the Associated Warden that #267-McCain had been stabbed in the abdomen by another inmate, Young #244, who came down from the Model Shop.

Lieutenant Weinhold stated that the wound was bad and immediately a truck was sent to the work area to take inmate McCain to the Hospital. In the meantime Dr. Ritchey and Dr. Green were notified that an inmate had been stabbed and McCain was checked into the Hospital about 10:05 A.M.

The associate Warden tried to get a statement from McCain but could secure nothing of value.

E. J. Miller

Associate Warden

Copy

Alcatraz, California

December 3, 1940

Mr. E. J. Miller, Associate Warden

Subject: Inmate Young #244-Az Leaving Model Shop at 10:00 A. M.

From: R. F. Spencer, Junior Officer

At ten A.M this date I made my count as usual, and every man was at his particular job and accounted for.

Immediately after making check I returned to stockroom where we were taking monthly inventory. Hardly, had I started working when upon hearing a whistle blast I stepped to a window to see what was wrong, I saw at first glance Officer Mach struggling with the above-named inmate on the landing in front of shoe factory.

I went down and took charge of inmate Young and Mr. Mach returned to his shop. Within a few moments Officer Rose relieved me of my charge, taking him to the cell house, I returning to my post.

Respectfully submitted,

/S/ R.F. Spencer

Junior Officer

Copy

December 3, 1940

Subject: Statement on inmate #244 (Young).

To: Associate Warden E. J. Miller.

Sir:

This morning, while on duty as a Work Area Officer, I was making my rounds of the Work Area Shops. At 10:00 A.M. I was in the Mat Shop, when I heard a whistle blowing, I ran out of the shop to see what the trouble was. I saw Mr. F. Mach’s assistant, he told me that a stretcher was needed, as he thought he had an inmate dying in the Tailor Shop. I obtained the stretcher from the Work Area and I returned with it to the Tailor Shop.

Lt. Weinhold who had arrived on scene, ordered me to take Young #244 to the cell house. This I did without further trouble from Young.

Respectfully,

/S/ Marshall G. Rose, J.O.

Copy

November 3, 1940

To the Associate Warden:

I was on the third table sewing with my back to the Office. I heard a scuffle and a moan, turned around and saw McCain on the floor and Mr. Mach scuffling with Young and had an arm lock on him. At first I thought it was a fistfight, then I saw a knife in Young’s hand and Mr. Mach called my attention to it. I took the knife away from him and while Mr. Mach, Mr. Hicks took Young out with the assistance of Mr. Rose and Mr. Spencer. I called up the Hospital to send a Doctor or an ambulance to the Tailor Shop. Lieutenant Weinhold was in the shop, before Mr. Rose came, I turned the knife over to Mr. Mach. This happened approx. ten a.m.

/S/ Paul M. Pone

Copy

MEMORANDUM

Alcatraz, California

December 3, 1940

To: E.J. Miller, Associate Warden

From: W.C. Hicks, Jr. Officer

Re: Stabbing of Rufus McCain #267

At 9:55 A.M. I entered the Tailor Shop and reported to Mr. Mach. He was just about to take a count as he said he took it a little before the hour. After the count, Mr. Mach suggested he show mw around the Shop.