The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-03-21
A ROW IN COLORADO.
GOV. WAITE IN DANGER OF BEING
LYNCHED.
The Prpuliat Governors Stubbo:nness
Cause the 0utbreak-Polics and Militia
AGtsgsniz ed u 1cle Sam to rhe Res

lltlcal light Waged by Governor Waite
eliminated today in most exciting
scenes and mob violence was imminent
many times during the day. Forum
ately the common citizen was calm
and collected and the prompt action of
leading citizens in leaving their bust
ness and appearing in solid bodies tc
beg for tirne to consider the situation
carefully, caused a delay that probably
prevented bloodshed, rioting and the
assassination of Governor Waite. ln
all probability had shot been fred,
mob would have quickly formed that
would have captured the Governor be-
fore official assistance could have res
cued him.
At 6 o'clock, the Intelligence that the
Governor had called upon Gen. Nc.
Cook to preserve the peace, settled al
fears of a contest between the militia
and the police. "Soapy" Smiths crowd
of sports had been sworn in as deputies
and they were placed at the hall to
await orders.
From 2 o'clock until long after dark,
dense mass of humanity was packed
in front of the city hall and upon the
streets adjacent. They cheered and
chaffed and joked, yet did not hesitate
to express indignation at the situation.
On 18th street the FIRST regiment of the
Colorado National Guards stood, flank
ing the Chaffe light artillery, consist
ing of four Gatling guns, with caissons
filled with ammunition. Their position
commanded the entire front of the hall
and at one time the militia was under
motion to attack the hall, when the
arrival of Secretary Lorenz with a mes
sage from the Gov ernor, stayed the at
tack. This was for half hours delay
to permit another conference looking
toward peaceful settlement. From
that time on, until the United States
troops were called out, the most in
tense anxiety prevailed. All sorts of
rumors loated about. The sheriff is
sued an order to arrest the militia and
take their arms away. a friend of the
deposed members of the fire ard police
board went out of the city hall to ap.
ply for warrant to arrest the Gov
ernor. The committee of the 1nhuen'
tial citizens were arguing with the
board, with the militia, with the Gov
ernor and with che police, but nothing
was accomplished. The Governor de-
clared he would order the militia to fire
upon the city hall regardless of the
crowds of spectators, and the police
board within, Gas solidly maintained
their position to resist the attack.
The police stood with guns in hand
ready to charge if necessary, and Chief
of Police Stone said he would die be-
fore he would surrender: Meanwhile,
business was practically suspended and
the crowds gathered On every corner
and upon the tops of adjacent build
ings.
Soon after o'clock this evening.
Chief of Police Stone received q teie
phone message from Gen. McCook
stating that he had ordered troops from
Fort Logan to protect the chief and aid
in preserving order. Soon after T. M.
Patterson, asked on behalf of the Gov
ernor, for q com mittee OF arbitration,
but TIE city hall people declined the
offer, saying they had made a similar
offer earlier in the day and it had been
refused. Then the attorney for the
Governor made similar request AMI it
was also refused.
1t was not until morning that the
people realized the extent of the troub.
le, and the determination of Governor
Waite to have his way regardless Of
courts. When they read in the morn
ing papers that he had ordered out the
militia, they were loath to believe even
then that any trouble of serious na-
ture would arise. But as the day pass.
ed, the fears of all began to rise. AS
early as o'clock the more curious
spectators began to assemble around
the city hall building, and by II o'clock
Larimer and Fourteenth streets, for a
block in each direction, were literally
packed. AT 10 o'clock two wagon loads
Of breech loading shot guns and am
munition were Snloaded at police head
quarters in the city hall. The depart.
ment was now equipped with a shot
gun and two forty-iVe Colts reVolYers
for each man in addition to the regula-
ton club. a quantity of dynamite
cartridges was also stored in the police
vaults IN readiness for any emergency.
eve will hold the city hall against all
attacks from the outside, If it takes
dynamite to do it," was the expression
of Chief of Police Stone. "We have ITO
men on duty and they will be here as
long as they are needed. If the Gov
ernor wants blood to the brides we will
give it to him, put be cannot have the
city hall"
By noon the crowd about the armory
was nearly or quite as great as that
assembled at the city hall, and when
the militiamen began to arrive they
found 1t difficult to make their way to
headquarters. The militia started from
the armory promptly at 2 o'clock. Adjt
Gen. Tarsney was in command. assist
ed by Brig. Gen. Brooks. At 3:15 p. n
Brig. Gen. Brooks, accompanied by
four aides de camp, rode up to the city
hall, and stated that tile Governors or.
ders must be obeyed. Governor
Waite remained in his private rooms at
the Douglass all day and admitted no
one but his closest friends, until COM
mittee of citizens from the chamber OF
commerce called upon him late IN the
day. The result was failure to get
hiIl to consent to anything. 81 shall
order the militia to fire." he reiterated.
"The people may assasslnate me if they
will, but l propose to have my way"
This was the situation when Gen. Nc
Cook asserted his position, and pre-.
pared to preserve the peace.
The history of this trouble dates
back some weeks. The crisis was de-
layed because the Governor preferred
to wait until the extra session was end
ed before be acted. To understand the
situation it must be known that some
years ago, the citizens Of Denver asked
the Legislature to give them new
charter that Weuld take the police, lire
and public works departments out OF
the hands of the municipality and put
it in the hands of the boards appointed
BY the Governor. 1t was believed that
would result in removing the matter
from the corruption of politics. Gov
ernor Waite had shown a desire to
make these departments subserve his
political ambitions and has tried to
make them all political boards filled
with Popullst followers. The board Of
,o1;oa hoo haao