The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-08
VALPARAISO'S MOB WORK
The SAILOR WHO SrARTEn THE
RIOT TELLS his STORY.

An Attack on the Beltimore's Men
Previously Contemplated by Gang
OF Disbsnded Chilean Soldiers and
sailors-The Knock-Down Blow the
Signal for the Attack.
VALLEJO, CAL, Jan. THE investiga-
ton into tine assault on the Baltimores sail
ors In Valparaiso began this morning at
Mare Island, in the presence OF Judge Ad.
vocate General Remy, United States Dis
triot Attorney Gartir and United States
Commissioner Hanley. Judge Remy con.
Quoted the investigation.
John W. Talbot, an apprentice on the
Baltimore. was the first witness. He was
one of the liberty yarty on Sept. 16. He
states that Q. w. Rgg1n, the boatswain's
mate, one Of the killed, was with him during
the afternoon. About 3 O'Clock they wen1
together IN a saloon called the Shakespeare,
IN the southern part Of town.
The proprietor ordered them out. declaring
that mob of disbAndod sailors aud soldier
were preparing to attack the BaItimore's
men. and he did not want any trouble in
his place. Riggin and Talbot laughed as
the warning, but left the place, and went to-
the True Blue saloon.
BEGINNING OF THE RIOT.
Talbot continued About O'Clock.
coming out | saw kiggin being threatened
by Chilean sailors In q man-of-war uulform.
ran across and tried TO separate them.
One OF the Chileans spat in my face and
knocked him down. INSTANTLY
crowd of over 100 people appeared
on the street, and we started to
run but soon jumped on passing oar The
mob followed aud stoned the car and we
were instantly surrounded by the mob
saw Riggin fall and tried 10 reach him, bus
was stabbed in the back, and turned to
run After going few blocks turned
into doorway and was again stabbed in
the back. got In, however. and got into
corner and defended myself with a
chair. The mob followed mo
and a Chilean sailor in man-of-
war uniform stabbed me again. The barr
tender finally put them out and barrL-
caded the door. The mob clamored outside
for admittanoe, aud after an hour a police-
man arrested me and took nae TO Jail. He
disguised me by substituting a hat for my
sailors cap with the word Baltimore on it..
so they would not notice that | was an
American sailor. The officer turned me
over TO two other policemen, who struck
me several times, although was making
no resistance. had no arms Of any kind,
aud was perfectly sober. After a shorh
time in jail | was sent to a hospital, with
Hamilton, Painter and Davidson, all badly
hurt. We were kept there four days and
we're then sent to the ship, where was in
the hospital forty five days. None except
American sailors were attacked by the
mobn
This ended Talbot's examination, and the
commission took recess.
STORY OF THE ARMoRER.
The next witness was James A. johnson,
armorer OF the Baltimore. "While sitting
in restaurant" he said. II was told they
were killing our men outside and warned
not to go out. l went upstairs and looked
out of window and cav that a man was
lying face down In the middle
OF the street, two or three
policemen and a mob of citizens around
him. They were stabbing bim in the back
as he lay there. The police made no effort
to stop them. left the hotel and went TO
the place. rhe man was Riggtn. turned
him over and found his pulss
still family beating, / gave him q
glass OF liquor and a moment after be
recovered and said: For Gods sake, john
son, take me out of this before they kill
me- l lifted him and drew him to one side.
when | saw a squad of soldiers approaching.
followed by a bowling mob. When within
six feet the soldiers fired two shots. One
grazed my left cheek, another struck
Riggin in the neck. and he fell from
my shoulder as il his neck was
broken. had backed against a wall, but
seeing Riggin was dead / skipped off 10 the
side, past the soldiers and got back into the
boarding house. / saw smoke come out of
the soldiers rifles, and am sure that it was
soldier that shot. / heard no other shots
flredn
The investigation will probably last q
week.