Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-27
AN EXCITING NIGHT
Attempt to Mob an Ex-Priest at Savannah,
Georgia
The Militia Called Out to Protect Him
Appeal by the Vicar
General.

Last night was the most exciting night in
the history Of Savannah. For five hours
the city trembled on the verge of religious
riots. The entire white military force of
the city, except the artillery, was on duty.
There are ten infantry companies and the
Georgia Hussars, the latter being dis
mounted. A mob estimated at from 5000
to 5000 challenged their forbearance to the
extreme. But for the GOODNESS Of Mayor
Herman Myers and the officers command
Ing the troops blood might have been the
result. Bayonet charges were made several
times to clear the streets. but the mob,
which had gathered about the Masonic
Temple, one Of the principal buildings of
the city and cituated in the heart Of Sa-
vannah, stubbornly refused to retire.
For three days it had been apparent that
trouble was brewing. AS stated in last
evenings Star, the city had been literally
placarded with notices that ex-Priest Stat
terry and wife. described as an ex-nun,
would lecture on Catholicism. Members Of
the Ancient Order Of Hibernians. a secret
Catholic organization, vainly took steps to
prevent their appearance.
Attacked by the Mob.
Fifteen policemen were stationed inside
the hall and thirty others were massed in
front By o'clock bowling mob Of over
III.
was an audience Of about 400 people. includ-
ing a number Of ladies. The lecturer had
hardly appeared upon the platform before
brickbats and cobble stones began to rain
upon the windows. The police had closed
all the heavy inside shutters and this saved
the audience from injury, only two or three
being hurt by broken glass; The rest Of the
police force were called out and fifty officers
were soon in front of the hall. Again and
again the mob made rushes to force the
entrance but each time were driven back
by the police. Before o'clock the mob had
swelled to between 5000 and 1900 people.
Window after window in the Masonic
Temple was smashed into fragments.
b. Cries of xiii him!'' Down with Stat
Chief McDermott summoned the mayor to
the scene, but efforts to quiet the mob were
fruitless.
The lecture closed at $50 o'clock, but
both lecturer and audience remained in the
hall. 1t was evident that for them to leave
would entail the loss of many lives.
In the audience were many members of
secret organizations who had cheered Stat
tery's declaration that he belonged to them
and had gathered around the ex-priest to
defend him. Many Of them, 1t was evident,
had come armed in anticipation Of trouble.
AS the ex-priest was about to leave the
hall with his friends, the chief of police
stopped him and refused to allow any one
to go down the stairs. Outside Mayor
Myers and Col. William Garrard were in
consalt alton.
The mob Missed the police and hooted at
their orders to disperse. The militia alarm,
eleven taks on all the fire bells in the city,
was SOUNDED, but only excited the derision
of the mob!
Bring od your militia" one OF the lead
ers shouted. 'To - with them, they can
not save saattery.''
The Militia Arrive.
ThS Georgia Hussars, dismounted, under
command of Major Mildrim, were the first
on the scene. They were only thirty men
in all. But soon the tramp Of other Or
ganizatIons was heard, and four companies
of the Savannah Volunteer Guards, under
command of Col Farrard, swung into po-
sition in front of the hall with fixed bayo-
nets and rifles loaded with ball cartridge.
By order Of the mayor, the guards formed