The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-04-06
ITSH%} BRADFORD VkRWONl pPRlL b, 1894.
STORM OF BULLETS.
A Series Of Political Riots at
Kansas City

Brought About by Strong Sentiment of
Bigotry-Alnerican Protective Associa-
tion and Catholics In a Row.
KANSAS CITY, April 4-The i'll feeling
tnat mas characterized the campaign in
this city rose to such height yesterday,
that 1t resulted in a pitched battle in the
streets. Trouble has been brewing for
several days over A. p. A. and Catholic
differences
More than 100 shots were exchanged be-
tween the com batants in less than that
many seconds, and when the firing ceased,
the following g-named were lying dead.
dying or injured on the pavement:
Killed: NJ. E. Callahan, shot through
the right side.
Fatally injured: Harry Fowler, shot
throught the back; Con Brosnahan, shot
through the kidney; Jerry Patte, shot in
the face.
Wounded: Patrick Fleming, shot in
the left shoulder; John McGovern, shot
through the right arm.
The riot was the elimination of bitter
feeling, which had been manifested by
action and words ever since the polls
opened in the morning. The two antago-
nistic elements were solidly divided in
their choice of candidates for mayor
The aggressive support that each side
gave to its candidates during one of the
hottest campaigns ever known in this
city engendered a strong sentiment of
bigotry.
1t was, therefore, in no amiable mood
that the workers of the respective factions
came together at the different polling
places throughout the city, and that these
workers expected trouble is apparent
from the number of deadly weapons that
were drawn when the firing was started.
The riot that resulted so fatally was the
climax Of series of smaller riots that
took place at other points earlier in the
day between the same opposing religious
factions
Not the Only One.
TaTriUt took place on the southwest
boulevard in ward s, very close to police
headquarters, and those who took part in
it had Seen heated to the fighting tenn
per by reports that had been hourly ar
irving at the station of brawls at other
polling places.
Only one hour before, it was known that
John Cooley was shot in the back and
forehead by William II. Walker at a
voting place. and that Cooley was vio-
lently opposed to the A. P. A. That
Cooley was not instantly killed was due
to the fact that the pistol used was
mere toy of % calibre.
The A. p. A., which supported Webster
Davis, the Republican candidate for
mayor, had their own workers at the
different polling places, and they dis
tributed in some precincts their own
tickets beaI ing their candidates name
and decorated with the American flag.
Jim Pryor, a Fifth ward politician, an
tagonistic to the A. p. A, who supported
Frank Johnston, the labor and factional
Democratic candidate, was active at the
head of so nstables, which he got Justice
Latshaw to appoint Monday night. 1t
was said by some that many of these
constables were irresponsible characters,
and were solely the cause of the trouble.
there were loud threats of |
mobbing them before they got to head
quarters after the bloody riot was over.
Well Armed.
1t is claimed that one of Pryor's follow |
ers fred the first shot. The victim was Nike |
Callahan, and he was dead man the |
next moment. Then the battle began.
The deputy constables at this polling
booth and the workers of all political
factions crowded together in solid masses,
FULLY 100 strong, and every one of them
seemed to be armed.
For mile or two the discharge of
weapons sounded like discharge of mus
zetry by regiment. Hundreds of citi-
.ens gathered at every point of vantage
% witness the battle. which, however,
vas of short duration. These onlookers
rembled with excitement. Many of the
esidents along the boulevard added to
he general feeling of terror by leaning
rom their windows, shouting and ges-
iculating wildly.
In less than five minutes from the time
he first shot was fired, however, the blue
oats from station had appeared upon
he scene, and quieted the disturbance.
With their first approach the fighting
olitical workers ceased hostilities, and
made a quick effort to hide their weapons
About dozen arrests have been made
n connection with the rioting on the
oulevard.
Returns indicate that Webster Davis,
he straight Republican candidate for
mayor, has been elected by a good round
majority over all other tickets, carrying
nth him the entire Republican ticket.