Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1895-03-08
\ RIOT IN GEORGIA..
MILITIA CALLED OUT TO PRO.
TECT sLATTERY.
Catholics storm the n.u-Mob Of 5000
Howl for the Life of the Lecturer-De-
termlned Attitude OF tile Militia Alone
Prevents MISUNDERSTANDING Gets Away
safe.

Prevents MISUNDERSTANDING Gets Away
safe.
To Mob Ex-Prlest slatterv.
Savannah, Ga, special: This has been
the most exciting night in the history of
Savannah. For over five hours the city
has trembled on the verge of religious
riots. The entire white military force of
the city, except the artillery, has been
on duty. There are ten infantry COM
panies and the Georgia Hussars,
the latter being dismounted. A mob.
estimated at from 5000 to 5000. the
greater part being Catholics. has chal-
lenged their forebearance to the ex-
treme. But for the GOODNESS Of Mayor
Meyers and the officers commanding
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 Ma
sonic temple. one Of the prominent
buildings of the city, and situated in
the heart Of Savannah, %stubbornly re-
fused to retire. Fol three days 1t had
been apparent that raw trouble was
brewing. Tho city had been literally
placarded with notices that ex-Priest
Slattery n his wife. described as an
ex-nun, would lecture here on Catholi-
cism. Members OF the A. o. H. at n
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 petition said that If Stat
terry was allowed to speak there would
be disorder and riot. About 500 signed
the petition. When it was presented to
h mayor by q committee OF twelve
Catholics. including the presidents Of
two divisions Of the A. O.. H., he hand
ed them a written opinion from the
corporation attorney to the effect that
he. as mayor. had no power to abridge
h right of speech guaranteed by the
constitution of the United States and
Georgia. In his opinion Ohe city at
torney) there could be no disorder or
trouble If those who would be offended
by Slattery's remarks would stay away
from his lecture. He urged all to do 30.
Mayor Meyers also asked the commit
tee to advise all Catholics to keep away
from the lecture.
II cannot stop this man from lectur-
ing" said the mayor, but I can pre-
vent disorder. and I will do 30. If the
police are not a sufficient force to do
so. the military will be appealed to-.
Riot will not be tolerated."
h committee said hat 1t was its
desire to avoid trouble and that they
would use their influence in that direc-
ton. They did SO. but their efforts
utterly failed. All Of today it had
been rumored that mobs would come
from different sections OF the city and
that slattery would be killed. The fact
that ne was to put on the garb OF q
priest in IT, course of his lecture
spread like Wild fire and raised an in
tense feeling among Catholics. Mayor
Meyer sue instructions to Chief Nc
Dermott to have the entire available
police force on hand at the Masonic
temple. Fifteen policemen We're sta
toned inside the hall and thirty 9TH
ers We're massed in front. By Z o'clock
several hundred had collected. When
Slatery arrived the mob had not
assumed large enough proportions to
ope with the police.
By . o'clock a bowling mob Of over
1,600 surrounded Masonic hall. In the
nail was an audience of about 400,
Including a number of ladies'.
Bombarded with Brickbats.
The lecturer had hardly begun before
brickbats and cobblestones began to
rain on the windows. The police had
closed all the heavy inside shutters,
thus saving the audience from injury.
only two or three being injured by fall
ing glass. The rest of the police force
was called out and fifty men were soon
in front Of the hall. The mob rushed
to secure an entrance, but were driven
back time after time by the police. Be-
fore 9 o'clock h mob had grown to
probably between 5000 and 1000, when
window after window in the Masonic
temple was smashed.
Cries of kill him." Down with
slattery." death to the renegade"
We're heard. Chief McDermott sum-
moned the mayor. The lecture closed
at $3.50 o'clock, and 1t was apparent that
It meant the loss of many lives for the
lecturer and the audience to leave the
hall. Upstairs a number of members
OF secret organizations. Who had
cheered Slattery's declaration that he
belonged to them, had gathered around
the ex-priest to defend him Is he left
the hall. A number, it was evident,
trouble AS the ex-priest was about to
leave the hall with his friends, the
chief Of police stopped him and refused
to allow anyone to go down stairs.
Outside Mayor Meyers and Col. VIM.
Garrard were in consultation. The
mob Kissed at the police and hootcd at
their orders to dispense.
Militia Called Out.
The military alarm. eleven taps on
all fire bells in the city was sent in.
but when 1t sounded the mob derided
1t.
Bring on your nli.tcry." some Of
the leaders shouted. ITO hell with
them. They can't save Slattery." The
Georgia Hussars. ~dismounted, under
command of Maj. Mildrem, were the
first to respond. The organization con-
tanned thirty men in all. The mob eyi-
IDENTIFY 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 compa-
MES OF the Savannah Volunteer Guards
under command Of Col. Garrard,
swung into position in front of the
hall. with fixed bayocets and rifles
loaded with ball cartridges.
By order OF the mayor the guards
formed in two single lines and charged
the mob with fixed bayonets in the hope
Of breaking 1T I'm. The moh wac sj,ovad