Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-04-02
RIOT RUN MAD.
Terrible Riot at Cincinnati on Account
of the Berner Verdict.
Ahe Militia Called Out and Calling Guns
used-A Large Number Killed
and Wounded

Public indignation over the verdict of
the jury IN the case of VIM. Berner, the
confessed murderer of VIM. Fl. Kirk,
illuminated at Cincinnati, on the night
o. the 2Sth, IN an attack on the jail by
large mob. The jury had foand Berner
guilty of manslaughter, and he was sem
fenced to prison for twenty years. This
outrageous verdict led to the calling of
mass meeting at Music Hall, from
which, after adjournment, the mob
started for the Jail. The sheriff defend.
ed the prison, but the excited rioters
battered in doors and windows and Sc
cured entrance to the cell room. In the
meantime the sheriff had telephoned for
the militia, which appeared on the scene
through a side passage, and collision
Immediately occurred. Shots were ex-
changed and finally the fusilade became
general. When the shooting had ceased
It was discovered that Police Officer
Num- was dying from q bullet wound re-
celYed from one of the excited militia
men; VIM. Hates, rioter, was dead; E.
James Green, dying; Walter Tay, dying;
James Turk, MORALLY hurt; and large
number of the mob shot more or less
seriously. During Che melee a deputy
sheriff took Berner out of the jail and
managed to get him to the depot and ON
board of train bound for Columbus.
The train was mobbed at Loveland and
Morrow, by people bent on lynching the
prisoner. During one of these attacks
Berner escaped, but he was recaptured
and taken to Columbus on another train.
So much Indignation existed over the
action of the militia, ana so many
threats of further violence were made,
that the Governor called out militia
from all parts of the state and made full
preparations to resist any attempt to
rescue a number of rioters who had
been captured during the fight at the
Jail.
On the 29th the excitement was inten-
sshed by reports that the mob were
armed with dynamite bombs, and were
preparing to blow up the town. One
thousand militia arrived from interior
towns, bat were held at the depot lest
their appearance should infame the mob
to greater violence. Appeals were
circulated In the form of circu-
lars calling for vigilance COM
mittees to drive from the city all
criminals and criminal lawyers. At 10
o'clock the alarm was again sounded and
skirmish took place, In which no one
was hurt. Bombs were thrown into the
jaiI-yard without effect. At 1890 the
militia charged the mob, and the work OF
death began. The people, inhamed
with liquor, fought desperately, using
all manner of weapons. It is not known
how many we're killed, but the number
is large. The courthouse was set on
fire, and an engine which attempted to
force it's way to the scene was cut to
pieces by the mob. A Calling gun was
then put In use and the militia ordered
to shoot TO kill. Six of the mob went.
down at the first fire, and hundreds of
wounded were carried away. It is es-
timated that 200 people were killed dur
ing the firing. The courthouse is in
ruins.
During the day and up to late in the
evening of the 3Oth, little disturbance
was created, but at 8 P. NJ. there was a
collision with the mob. Twelve of the
rioters were killed at the first fire.
Numerous small skirmishes took place
during the night, but the large force
Of militia seemed to shake the confidence
of the rioters, and the worst is thought
to be over. Berner is still in the jail at
Columbus, and is closely guarded.
CINCINNATI, March 31.-With the re-
turn of darkness Saturday night the ex-
element increased, and at 10 O'Clock the
riot alarm was again sounded. There
had been indiscriminate firing on the
part of the mob for an hour. The
militia returned the fire, but aimed their
guns over the tops of the buildings.
Their efforts to frighten the mob had no
effect at all. An attack was made upon
the treasurer's Office IN the courthouse.
The doors were battered down and an
entrance effected. It is supposed coal
oil was poured about the room. At any
rate, fire was started soon afterward.
It burned feTcely, although the build
ing was fre-proof. The fire department
was called out, but the mob
refused to permit the fremen
to get near the courthouse.
Capt. Desmond entered to subdue the
flames and was instantly killed. The
law library and recorders Office we're
broken open and cords of books and
records piled up wherever there was
woodwork. The courthouse is a solid
structure three stories IN height, and
has stood twenty five years It is built
is thought to be fre-proof The flames
burned slowly, but caused great damage
TO the building before they were sub
dued. Firing from the beleaguered
troops IN the courthouse was kept up
al night, Calling gun being used
with deadly effect. During the night
the rioters secured several cannon, but
were unable to obtain ammunition.
Powell's gun store was sacked and fired,
put the flames were exiinguished before
they had made much Roadway. About
4 o'clock yesterday morning the police
charged the MOB and captured the can
non. This seemed to dishearten the
rioters. who suddenly dispersed as day
dawned.
CINC1NNAT1, March 31.-The rioting
continued to some extent throughout the
day, and excited the gravest apprehen-
sion. A crowd was charged upon by
the militia at noon and two were killed.
AL the afternoon there were threaten
ing demonstrations and occasional shots
were heard. About 8 o'clock IN the