Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-09-01
WOMEN CAUSED A RIOT
They Insisted on Voting at an
 Election In Deerfeld, N. ].
THUGS IMPORTED TO SCARE THEM
When the Ballots of the Women Were Re
 fused, Their Escorts Took . Hand, and . Row EnsGed. Tn Which Several Men Were
 Shot and Stabbed.

When the Ballots of the Women Were Re
 fused. Their Escorts Took a Hand, and .
 Row EnsSed. Tn Which Several Men Were
 Shot and Stabbed.
 DEERFIEID, \. J., Sept. l.-The wom- cn of this easy going town determined TO- gently that they would vote on all ques- tions appertainins to tho public schools, as they had been authorized to do by tho legislature.
 Dr. E. E. Howard, president of the board of education. called a meeting last night to discuss the appropriation of suf- ficient funds to defray the expense of open ing the schools.
 The meeting. which was a crowded one, was called to order by the president and It's object briefly stated. Tho next step was the selection of a permanent chairman, and Robert W. Smith was chosen. A question as to the eligibility of Mir. Smith was raised by those opposed to female suffrage, but the objection was overrulcd, and an effort was made to con- duct the meeting in a peaceful maaEsr. The dissatisfied element refused to recog. nize Mir. Smith or his associates and or ganiZed an opposition meeting In Anothsi room of the schoolhouse.
 Fought For the Ballot Box.
 It was necessary for those wishing to defeat the woman suffragists to gain pos. session of tho ballot box. They had come prepared to do this. backed by a gang of bullIes from Philadelphia At a given signal these ruffians started for the bal. lot box, knocking right and left every thing in their way. After n short but do cisive battle, in which revolvers and knives played a prominent part. and mon, women and children were trodden down. the bullies gained the coveted ballot box.
 Then they proceeded to transact bust ness. When the women presented theiI ballots, they were refused recognition, and they called upon their male escorts to sec that their votes were recorded. Mir c. I. Williams, prominent citizen, step ped to the ballot box and demanded that the votes of tho women be accepted. H, was immediately struck in tho face by ( hoodlum and knocked down. There wa. a shout of anger and rcyolvers were agair drawn.
 J. Asher, ono of the imported bullies was struck by a bullet and seriously in jurod. He was hauled from the scene O battle by friend and taken to Camder 1 hospital. There were several other people hurt.
 Tried to Lynch Dr. Howard.
 An attempt was made to lynch Dr Howard, president of tho board of educa ton, and Robert W. Smith, the legall! chosen chairman, but it was prevented b, l the timely interference of k. L. Cotton editor of tho Roscnhayn Advocate, wh' drew n revolver and held the crowd at ba. until Howard and smith were spirite' away by friends
 Then the hoodiums attacked bo. l named Lawrence Coc, one of them strik ing him with blnckjac back of the ear Some of the citizens, who were scared sought refuge in a swamp, whore they rc mained until the arrival of special officer sworn in by Squire J. A. Williams.
 A MT. Silver was found lying in tn woods in an unconscious condition. H had been attacked and robbed of $50 H 1 is seriously hurt.