Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-01-10
ROT At ST.JOHNS.
Sequel to the Recent Newfoundland Bank
Panic


ST JOINS, y. f.. Jan. 10 The desti
tute unemployed assembled and AGAR
! marched to the warship Tourmaline L
ascertain what answer its commander,
Sir Richard Poore, had received from the
government. In reply TO this letter, tine
government stated that he was being i'm
posed upon, that the condition of things
was greatly exaggerated, that there was
othing like the destitution represented
by the crowd. The crowd then marched to
the executive mansion. The governor
aide-de-cainp, Captain Melville, said that
Governor y Brien could not see them. but
they insisteu that h must, and desig-
mated two o: their number To see the gov
ernor and acquaint him with their posi-
ton.
This was done and then the governor
said to them that the government was
doing its best to devise means To help and
hintel that if they should personally ap-
peal to the ministry there might be more
speedy action. With this the crowd
crossed to the colonial or legislative build
ing, but We're refused admittance. The
doors were closed and a possee of police
stationed within. This enraged the
crowd, and they soon hurst open the doors
and scattered the police and dorekeepers.
One Of the policemen was kicked in the
face and all Were more or les, injured.
The Premier Talks, to the Crowd.
The shouts and threats compelled the
premier, Joseph Greene, PROVISIONAL head
OF the Whiteway party, the real leader be-
ing disqualified, u appear and make a
speech. He promised either To- give the
men work within two days or resign. This
was greeted with cries of Resign" The
premier, continuing, said he was in as dcs-
perate straits As they, but they shouted
back that he had bread t. eat, while they
had not. Finally some one sung out:
Its no use listening to him. Let us go
and take what We want"
At this, as il moved by one impulse, the
vast assemble faced about anu made for
the business portion Of the city. Curl
ously enough they did not molcst any OF
the solvent firms. but confined them
selves to the bankrupt ones. Edwin
Duders firm, which owed the CONNER
cial bank $6j0,O1l, was where they made
their first attack. They claimed that they
had a right to the property Of such firms,
as commercial notes are worth only 20
cents on the dollar. Dudcr's warehouses
or other provisions could be- found Then
they attacked Steers premises. In five
minutes there were 80 men ransacking
it, while thousands filled the square. AT
this juncture squad of thirty police ar
rived ami tried to stop the plundering,
but it was n difficult task.
Officers Attack the Mob.
The destitute people were aroused ana
Were helping themselves to all they could
lay hands on. Thc officers had to draw
their side arms and attack the mob with
blows from the fiat of their swords. In
the narrow confines of the stores the
struggle ragged with varying fortunes for
half an hour, while the infuriated mob
outside yelled approval of the action of
heir comrades within. The police had
made four prisoners and their work was
doubled by trying to hold them. Every
available missile was rained on the Off
GERS. Finally a body Of mounted police
arrived and dispersed the crowd.
The liquor stores throughout the CITY
were ordered to close at = H. and
mounted police and seamen from the
Tourmaline are patrolling the streets
Magistrates armed with the riot act are
on the scene and there are apprehensions
of more trouble. The disorierly element
who were pillaSing the town Were in a
small minority. The four men arrested
are named Brown, Coaly, King and
Bussey. They were sent to the peniten-
tiary as a prccaution against an attempt
at rescue. Bussey belongs to the saliva.
tion army.