The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-27
Special to the REcoRn-unror.


been the most exciting night in the his
tory of Savannah. For five hours the
city has trembled on the verge of relig-
lous riots. The entire white military
force OF the city except the artillery has
been on duty. There are ten infantry
companies and the Georgia Hussars, the
latter being dismounted. A mob, esti-
mated at from 5000 to 5000, the greater
part being Catholics, has challenged their
torbearance to the extreme. But for the
GOODNESS of Mayor Meyers and the Off
GERS commanding the troops blood might
have been shed. Bayonet charges were
made several times to clear the streets,
but the mob which had gathered about
Masonic Temple. one of the prominent
buildings of the city, and situated III the
heart Of Savannah, stubbornly refused to
move.
For three days it had been apparent
that grave trouble was brewing. The
city had been literally placarded with
notices that ex-Priest Slattery and his
wife, described as an ex-nun. would lect-
ure here on Catholicism. Members of the
Ancient Order of Hibernians at once took
steps to prevent their appearance. Peti-
tlons were circulated, asking Mayor
Meyers to refuse permission to the eX-
priest to give his lecture. The HIber-
mans said If Siattery was allowed to
speak there would be disorder and riot.
About 500 persons signed the petition.
W hen it was presented to the Mayor by
a committee of twelve Catholics, incIud-
ing the Presidents of two divisions of the
Ancient Order Of Hibernians, he handed
them written opinion from the Corpo-
ration Attorney to the effect tnat he, as
Mayor, had no power to abridge The right
of speech guaranteed by the Constitution
of the United States and Georgia. In his
opinion, the City Attorney said there
could be no disorder nor trouble if those
who were offended by Slattery's words
would stay away from his lecture. He
urged all TO do so. Mayor Meyer, also
asked the committee to advise all Catho-
lies to keep away from the lecture.
II can't stop this man from Iecturing."
said the Mayor, who is a Hebrew. but I
can prevent disorder, and [ will do so.
If the police are not of sufficient force to
do so, the military will be appealed to.
Riot will not be tolerated"
The committee stated that it was their
desire to avoid trouble, and that thev
would use their influence in that direc-
ton. They did SO. but their efforts utterly
failed. All of to-day it had been ruinored
tA4SNb 4AODS " SLO NOLIllLiss Ill II OIll ulu0E6HL
sections of the city, and that Slattery
would be killed. The fact that he was to
put on the garb of a priest in the course
of his lecture spread like wildfire, and
raised an intense feeling among Catholics.
Mayor Myers issued instructions to
Chief McDermOtt to have the entire
available police force on hand at Masonic
Temple. Fifteen policemen were sta
toned inside the hall and thirty others
were massed in front. By o'clock sew
eral hundred had collected. When Slat-
terry arrived the mob had not assumed
large enough proportions to cope with
the police. By O'Clock bowling mob
of over l,50O surrounded the hall. In the
hall were an audience of about 400, in
cluding number of ladies. The lecture
had hardly begun before brick bats and
cObble-stOnes began to rain on the win
dOwS. The police had closed all the
heavy inside shutters, thus saving the au-
dience from injury, only two or three
being by injured 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 en-
trance, but were driven back by the
force. Before 9 o'clock the mob had
grown to between 5000 and 1000. Win
dow after window in the Masonic Tom
pie was crashed. Cries Of Kill himr'
Down with Slattery ~ death to the
Ieuesdue - were nSafu. CDle1 AGDer-
mott summoned the Mayor.
The lecture closed at $3.50, and it was
apparent that it meant the loss of many
lives for the lecturer and audience to
leave the hall. Upstairs a number of
members of secret organizations who had
cneered Slattery's declaration that he be-
iopged to them, had gathered around the
eX-priest to defend him as he left the
hall. A number, it was evident, had
come armed, in anticipation of trouble.
AS the eX-prlest was about to leave the
hall with his friends, the Chief of Police
stopped them and refused to allow any,
one to go downstairs. Outside Mayor
Meyers and Colonel Gerard were in con-
sultation. The mob Kissed at the police
and hOoted at their orders TO disperse
The military alarm, eleven taps on all
hrobeIls in the city, was sent in, but
when it sounded the mob derided ii.
Bring on your military" some OF the
leaders shouted. "To HI with them:
they can't save Slattery."
The Georgia Hussars, dismounted. un-
der command of Major Mildrem, were
the first TO respond. The organization is
composed of thirty men in all. The mob
evidently believed that this was all it was
Intended to bring out, and laughed at
them as they drew up in front of the hall,
Soon after the tramp of other military
was heard, and four companies of the
odNauDdu OlunleeE buarQS, under COM
mand of Colonel Gerard, swung into DO
sition in front of the hall with tixed bay-
onets and rifles loaded with ball cart
ridges.
By order of the Mayor, the guards
formed III two single lines and charged
the mob with fixed bayonets, in the hope
of breaking it up. The mob was showed
back slowly, but refused to break, and
occasionally rocks were thrown al the
hail. The mob was sullen, and appar-
emily determined.
Six companies from the First Regi-
ment, under the command of Lieutenant
o. Reilly, came up soon afterward, max
ing eleven companies on the ground.
In the hall the audience was still
penned up. Some of the women were
crying, and those who ventured to glance
out at the risk of broken head saw
the mob and the long lines of artillery in
all directions, and found nothing to en-
courage them. The military were de-
ployed so as TO drive the mob back and
form a hollow square about the hail
while the consultation of the commando
ing officers and Mayor was held.
Captain Dillon, one of the most promi
mems Catholics of the city, rendered his
services as peacemaker. He brought
Nlcar-Geueral Cafferty, who is in charge
OF the diocese in the absence OF Bishon
Becker, 10 the scene OF the trouble. The
Vicar General addressed portion of the
mob. This man Slattery," said he, 'can
do you no harm. You are bringing dis
grace upon your religion by your conduct
here tonight. 1t can meet with nothing
but condemnation. plead with you 10