The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-04-05
RIOT RUN MAD.
Terrible Riot at Cincinnati on Account
of the Berner Verdict.
The Militia Called Out and Gatlinc Guns
Used-A Large Number Killed
and Wounded.

Pdblic indignation over the verdict of
the jury In the case of VIM. Berner, the
confessed murderer of Vim. 81. Kirk,
eliminated at Chr cinnati, ON the night
OF the 2oth, 10 an attack on the Jail by
large mob. The jury had found Berner
guilty OF manslaughter, and he was SEN
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 jall. The sheriff defend
ed the prison, but the excited rioters
battered III doors and windows aud Sc
cured entrance to the cell room. In the
meantime the sheriff had telephoned for
the militia, which appeared on the scene
through side passage, and a collision
Immediately occurred. Shots were ex-
changed and finally the fusilade became
general. When the shooting hal ceased
1t was discovered that Police Officer
Num- was dying from bullet wound re-
ceived from one of the excited militia
men; VIM. Hates, a rioter, was dead; E
James Green, dying; Walter Tay, dying;
James Turk, mortally hurt; and a large
number of the mob shot more or less
seriously. During the melee a deputy
sheriff took Berner ont 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, aud 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 8 number of rioters who had
been captured duling the fight at the
Jail.
On the 29th the excitement was inten-
sihed 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, but were held at the depot lest
their appearance should inhame 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
a skirmish took place, IN which no one
was hurt. Bombs were thrown into the
iail-yard without effect. At 1890 the
militia charged the mob, and the work os
death began. The people, infamed
with liquor, fought desperately, using
all manner of weapons. 1t is rot known
how many were killed, but the number
is large. The courthouse was set on
fire, and an engine which attempted to
force its way to the scene was cut to
pieces by the mob. A Gatling gun was
then put IN use and the militia ordered
to shoot to Kill. Six OF the mob went
down az the first fire, and hundreds of
wounded were carried away. 1t is es-
timated that 200 people were killed dur
ing the firing. The courthouse is in
ruins.
During the day aud up to late ia the
evening of the 30th. little disturb bance
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
duIiog 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.