St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-06-26
THE HOODLUMS REIGN.

victims III DEbdH DaSllS ahA H''hh 'H'ANA
Plumber Them-A Plucky Little Women.
ST. LOUIS, June 1G.-Affairs in East
St. Louis are in a deplorably shameful
condition, and unless there is some radl-
cal changes made among the municipal
authorities Immediately, the respectable
residents of that city will be compelled
to fee the place for their lives. One
more ''dark and bloody page" must now
be added to the blackened history OF that
unfortunate city.
At eight O'Clock this morning City
Clerk Tim CAVITY entered the mayors Of
fee. There he met City Attorney O'Mel-
veny, who was in the midst of Il lot OF
legal papers. He accused, in very
abrupt and forcible manner, Mr.. O'Nlel-
veny of circulating stories derOgatory TO
his reputation. Mr.. O'Melyeny, in
positive but gentemany manner,
denied .ne allegations, and pro-
ceeded about his business. Canty
was not satisfied. He wanted gore
to paint another scene in his record, and,
O'Melveny being a very small man and
unable to resist an attack, the bic duffer
grabbed his victim by the hair of the head,
crushed him to the floor and kicked and
pounded him in a most brutal manner,
inficting several ugly gashes on the back
of his head and almost running his eyes.
After firing he left the mayors office
and disappeared. Mr.. O'Melveny was
removed to DR.. WintOn's office, where
his wounds were dressed and he was
cared for.
This attack on Attorney O'Melveny
was the latest of series OF diabolicaI
OutraTcS.
Hig hway robbery is now the order OF
the day.
At five O'Clock Yesterday afternoon,
while the streets were filled with people,
two men were knocked down on Dyke
avenue and robbed, one of three dollars
and half and the other of one dollar and
half, together with all else in their pos
session.
The next hold-up occurred near the
approach of the bridge, in the vicinity of
the East St. Louis hotel, where an old
man, helpless in years. was knocked
down and brutally beaten and his valu-
ables taken.
The Green Tree hotel was the next
scene of the daylight footpads. Here
they accOsted man in the street, near
the hotel, and asked him to treat them.
He refused. The garroters then picked
the man up bodily and carried him from
the street to the hotel yard and there
pummeled him into silence and then re-
!ieved him of what valuableS he had.
Mrs. Seng, wife of the proprietor OF
the Green Tree hotel, witnessed the rob-
berry from window, but was unable to
do ANYTHING but cry out for help. There
being no police, the thieves paid no at
tention to her and finished their Job.
After their victim was released, ana told
to depart, they returned to the street to
hunt Il fresh victim. They were not long
in finding one, and were carrying him
bodily into the yard when they were met
by the brave lady above mentioned, who
met them at the gate with Il cooked re-
vover staring them in the face.
81 will Kill the first man that enters
this gate." she exclaimed, "and | will
die in my tracks before | will allow an
other man to be robbed in my yard"
The hold-ups, fearing the brave little
lady meant business, returned to the
street and ritied their victim in the pres
enCe of numerous persons, who looked
on from a distance with trembling fear,
or were in cahoots with the gang.
All these robberes occurred yesterday
afternoon between three and five O'Clock,
which shows the daring of the gang that
have the sympathy of the municipal au-
thOritieS over there.
At eleven O'Clock last night John
Steinert, nephew of the late exMayor
Bowman, while returning home from st.
Louis, at a point between Strider'S and
Gross saloon on Dyke avenue, met six
thugs, two of whom ne identified as the
men who beat up Kirk, who knocked him
down, beat him and robbed him of six
dollars.
How long this condition of affairs will
continue to exist is a matter that seems
impossible to determine. The reSpecta-
BILE citizens are in state of excitement
bordering on frenzy. No man, woman or
child is safe to go upon the streets in
broad daylight, and the nights are filed
with awful fears of violence and whole
| sale robbery.
City Treasurer Alex. Flanagan told a
| reporter some time ago (before he be-
came treasurer) that he wanted the thugs
and ho0diums TO run the city because
they would throw their money away and
"wc" would get it. 1t is not to be sup
posed he meant he wanted things to go
as they are going now.
Petitions are being circulated, signed
by the best citizens, praying the mayor
| to appoint night watchmen. This is, as
the citizens admit, fruitless errand for
mercy and protection. If the mayor
could give no protection to the railroads,
| he can give none to the people; he has
nothing, can give nothing, and IS moth
ing. If he should step down and out, it
\, l,.;1 Trip,a in re
most daring and terrible phases is the
rule in East ST. Louis, and unless some
protection is afforded very soon there
will not be decent citizen left in it,
Reversed His Own Decision.