The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-04
Blood Shed and Lives Lost In Elec-
tlon Brawls at Kansas
City.
Catholics and A. p. A. Men Were
the Members OF the Rival
Factions
Both sides Evidently Expected Trouble as
They Came In Squads and Armed
for the Fray.

KANSAS CRY. April IA riot between
Catholics aud members OF the A. p. A. oc-
ourred about 2.30 o'clock to-day. Il was
elimination Of the bad feeling that had
been manifested all day. Mike Callahan, a
weli-known politician and Catholic. and
supporter Of Frank Johnson for mayor, was
killed. Jerry Pate. deputy constable. was
shot in the head and will die. ). Is. Rosnah
was shot through she kidneys and will die.
Pat Fleming was also shot In the shoulder.
Jery Fowler was also shot. John Nc
GovAn was shot, but not seriously
Tho two antaoonistio elemsnts we're sol
idly divided In their choice OF candidates
for mayor. That the factions came TO the
polls expecting troub is apparent from the
number Of deadly weapons that were In the
riot when The first shot was fred. The riot
which resulted so seriously was the climax
OF series Of smaller riots that took place
a. other points earlier ia the day between
the same opposing religious factions.
This riot took place on Southwest boule-
vad, close 30 police station No 3, and
those who took pa in il had been hsnted
20 fighting temper by reports that had
been hourly arriving at the station Of
b avis az other polling places. An hour be-
fore John Cooley stone mason, was shot
by VIM. Henry Walker at she voting place
at the corner Of Fifth snd Campbell streets,
ard the row was directly due 90 a fey de-
bate between two men regarding ths prin-
ciplss Of the A. =. A., 80 which Geoley was
violently opposed.
The A. +. A., which supported Webster
Davis, republican candidate for mayor. had
their own workers at the different polling
places, and they distributed ia some pre-
cincta their own tickets bearing the candi-
dates nams and decorated with the Amefi-
oan flag. Jim Pryor. a Fifth ward poll
tioian, antaRonistio TO the A. i. A., who
supported Frank johnson. labor union and
democratic candidate, was active at the
head Of hfty constables. which he got jus
tico Latshaw to appoint last night. 10 is
said they we're, many OF them. irresponsi-
BILE characters, and were solely the cause of
all the trouble. Consequently, there were
loud threats Of mobbiDg them before they
were got TO headquarters after the bloody
riot was yer.
II is olaimed that one Of Pfyor's follow
ers fred the first shot. That one was Mike
Callahan. and he was killed tho next mo
msnt. Then the battle began. The deputy
eonstablos az thia polling bSoth and the
workers OF all political factions crowded
together in a solid mass, about 100 strong
and every one OF them armed. For min
ute or two the discharge of weapons
sounded like volleY OF musketry bv a
regiment. In less than i've minutes from
the tins the first shot was fired bluecoats
from the station had appeared on the scene
aud Quieted the disturbance. With their
trst approach the fighting workers ceased
hostilities. and made a quick effort to hide
their weapons.
Prycr's men are claiming that Callahan
was an innocent victim. They assert that
10 was Jerry Pate, m A. A. r. man, who
hrod the first shot, aud that that Was the shot
that killed Callahan. Pate Was serving sc
constable, with a warrant for the arrest of
John Pryor Jim Pryor. his son. and Bert
Pryor, for alleged felonious assaults on a
citizen earlier IN tho day. He and Callahan
met and the conflict began.
While the riot was in progress 10 is said
members OF the A. J.. A. telephonsd to AT.
mourdsle and Argentine, strongholds Of
men, and assurance was given them that
she men would be shortly on the way.
Members of she A. =. A. deny the truth Of
this story. The affair Is being heAte dlY
discussed at most all public resorts Ia the
city tonight. and feeling runs very high.
About dozen arrests have been made in
connection with the rioting. Ia Is thought
there will be no further trouble.
Returns up 20 eleven o'clock indioAte that
Webster Davis straight republican eandi-
date for mayor, has been eleotsd by q good
majority over all other tickets, carrying
with him the entire republican ticket.
Dispatches from Kansas and Oklahoma
show that with but few exceptions, the re-
publicans have elected their tickets.