The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-27
the city and SITUATED in the heart Of Sa-
yannah. stubhorniy refused 70 retire.


yannah. stubborniy refused TO retire.
For three days 1t had been apparent
that grave troubie was brewing. The city
had been literally placarded with notices
that ex-Priest Slattery and his wife. de-
scribed as an ex-nun. would lecture here
on Catholicism. Members of the Ancient
Order OF HfberniSns at once took steps TO
prevent their appearance here. Petitions
were circulated asking Mayor Meyers TO
refuse permission to the ex-priest to hold
his lecture. The petitions said that II
Slattery were allowed 10 speak there would
be disorder and riot. About 500 persons
signed the petition. When it was pre-
scented to the mayor by COMMITTEES OF
twelve Catholics. including the presidents
Of two OF the divisions of the A. o. H.. he
handed them q written opinion from the
corporation counsel to the effect that ne,
as mayor. had no power to aoridge the
right OF speech guaranteed by the consti-
tuition OF the United States and Geor9ta.
In his opinion the city attorney said there
could be TO disorder or trouble II those
who were Offended by Slattery's remarks
would stay away from his lecture. He
urged all to do so. Mayor Meyers also
asked the committee to advise all Catho-
lies to keep away from the lecture.
81 can't stop this man from lecturing."
said the mayor who Is Hebrew, Dut
/ can prevent disorder, and wall 90 so.
II the police are not of sufficient force TO
do 50, the military will be appealed TO.
Riot will not be tolerated"
The committee stated that 1t was their
desire to avoid trouble and that taey
would use their influence in that direc-
ton They did SO. but their Efforts Ut
terly failed. All Of today 1t had been ru-
mored that mcbs would come from differ
emit sections OF the city. and that Stat
terry would be killed. The fact that hs
was to put on the garb of the priest In
the course of his lecture spread like wild
fire. and raised an intense feeling among
the Catholics.
Mayor Meyers issued instructions to
Chief McDermott TO have the entire avail
able police force on hand at Masonic
temple. Fifteen policemen were stationed
inside the hall. and thirty others were
massed in front. BY Z o'clock several
hundred had collected. When Slattery
arrived the mob had not assumed large
enough proportions to cope with the po-
lice. BY s o'clock a bowling mob OF over
1900 surrounded Masonic hall. In the hall
was an audience of about 400, including
a number of ladies The lecture had
hardly begun before bricks and cobole-
stones began to rain on the Windows.
The police had closed all the heavy in-
side shutters. thus saving the audience
from injury. only two or three being In
tured by falling glass. The rest OF the
police force was called out. and fifty men
were soon In front OF the hall. The mob
made rushes to secure an entrance, but
were driven back by the police. Before
o'clock the mob had grown TO between
1000 and 1000 Window after window In
the Masonic temple was smashed. Cries
OF XIII him. Down with Slattery."
Death TO the renegade" were heard.
Chief MeDermott summoned the mayor.
The lecture closed at e:30 and II was
apparent that II meant the loss of many
lives for tire lecturer and audience to
leave the hall. Upstairs a number Of
members OF secret organizations vino had
cheerea Siattery's declaration that he be-
ionged 10 them. had gathered around the
ex-priest to defend him as he left the
han. A number, !. was evident, had come
armed In anticipation OF sroubte As the
ex-priest was about to leave the hall with
his frsends the chief OF police stopped
them and refused TO allow any one to go
down stairs. Outside Mayor Meyers ana
Col. Gerard were in consultation. The
mob Kissed at the police ami hooted at
their orders to disperse. The military
alarm. eleven taps on ali the fireSesIs in
the city. was sent sn. but when 1t sound
ed the mob deridesi It.
Bring xesszsr mill sa~,y .s-.~,x
leaders shouted. ITO he'll Wild them; thew
can't save Slattery." Tho Georgia H,,s-
sars, dtsnlounted. ufsier command OF Ma,
Midrem. were the first TO respond. The
organization contained thirty men in nj,
The nab evidently believed that This Ma.
all Il was intended u bring out. ard
laughed az them as they drew I'M, IN f,,,v.,
or the hail. Soon after the traunp ~
osae- military was heard. and four oo-,,-
panses OF the Savannah Volunteer Ts,.ar3s
nEsse- command az Col, Gerrari swupe
into position In front Of che hail. w-,ts
fixed bayonetS and rifles loaded ws.h ss,T
Cartridge
BY order OF the mayor tho rua-s.
formed in two single lines ard charw.a ~.
mob With fixed bayoness. in the ho,a =,
breaking IL up. The mob ~as showed bacs
IT,
ally rocks were thrown at the hall. Tina
mob VAS sui!en and apparently deter
miaed- SIX companies from the First rexs-
meat under the command OF Lieut..
. Reilly. came up soon as,erward. making
eleven companies on the ground. In the
aAh TIE audience Was san penned up.
some 81 tas women were crying. and
tsose who ventured 10 glance oct. al ,he
FAsk OF broken head. saw the mob ara
the long lines OF military In all directions
ana found nosalag 10 encourage them.
The military ~sre drpioyed so as "a. drive
the mob back ana form a hollow saua-a
ABOUT the hail while the consultation of
the commanding officers and mayor was
held
capt J. IL. TsIlss. che OF tho most pPons-
inent Catholics &c the city. rendered mis-
services as T'eae>nsaker. He brought Vicar
General t'afferiy. who is in charge Of re
diocese In the absence of.Blshop Becker.