Connecticut western news., 1895-02-28


 Could Do to Save sIattery's Life.
 SAVANNAH, Feb. 27.-Last night was the most exciting night in the history of Sa- vannah. For five hours the city trembled on the verge of religious riots The entire white military force of the city except the artillery has bcon on duty. There are ten infantry companies and the Georgia hus- sars the latter being dismolInted. A mob estimated at from 5. 900 to 5, 00o greater part being Catholics, has challenged theil forbearance to the extreme
 But for the coolness of Mayor Herman Myers 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 the Masonic temple one of the principal buildings of the city and situated in the heart of Savannah, stub bornly refused to retire
 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 lecture here m Ca tholicism. Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. a secret Catholic organiza- tion, at once took steps to prevent their appearance here.
 Mayor Myers issued instructions to Chief McDermott to have tho entire avail able police force on hand at Masonic tenn pie. Fifteen policemen were stationed in- side the hall, and 80 others were massed in front. By o'clock several hundred had collected.
 When Slattery arrived, the mob had not assumed large enough proportions to cope with the police. By 8 o'clock bowling mob of over 1, 800 surrounded Masonic hall. In the hall were an audience of about 400, including number of ladies. The lecturer had hardly begun before brick bats and cobblestones began to rain on the windows. The police bad closed all the heavy inside shutters This saved the audience from injury, only two or three | being injured by flying glass. The rest of | the police force was called out, and 50 offi- cers were soon in front of the hall. Cried For slattery's Blood. The mob made rushes to secure en- | trance, but was driven back time after | time by the police. Before o'clock the mob had grown to probably between 3, 900 and 1. 900 people. Window after window | in the Masonic temple was smashed. Cries of "Kill himi'' Down with Stat | teryp' and Death to the renegade l'' were heard Chief McDermott summoned the mayor. The lecture closed at e:30 o'clock. | and 1t was apparent that it meant the loss | of many lives for the lecturer and the au- dience to leave the hall Up stairs a num- | Der of members of secret organizations who had cheered Slattery's declaration l that he belonged to them had gathered around the ex-pricst to defend him as they | left the hall.
 A number, 1t was evident, had come armed in anticipation of such trouble. As | the ex-prieSt was about to leave the hall | with his friends, the chief of police stop ped them and refused to allow any one to | go down stairs. Outside Mayor Myers and | Colonel William Garrard were in consul i tation. Ths mob hisscd at the police and | hootcd at their orders to disperse
 The military alarm-11 taps on all fire | bells in the city-was sent in, but when 1t sounded the mob deridcd It. Bring on | your military.' some of the leaders shout ed. ITO 'h-l with them! They can't save Slatteryl'
 The Georgia hussars dismounted, un- der command of Major Mil6rim, were the first to respond. The organization con tained 80 men in all. The mob evidently | believed that this was all that it was in tended 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 Savan- nah Volunteer guards, under command of Colonel Garrard. swung into position in front of the hall with fixed bayonets and rifles loaded with ball cartridges
 Charged the Mob With Bayone.s.
 By order of the mayor the guards form ed in two single lines and charged the mob with fixed bayonets in hope of break ing it. The mob was showed back slowly but refused to break, and occasional rocks were thrown at the hall. The mob was sullen and defiant and apparently deter mined. Six companies from the First reg iment under command of Lieutenant Colonel Reilly. came up soon afterward, 1 making II 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 a broken head and saw the mob and the long lines of military in all direc- tions found nothing to encourage them. The military was deployed so as to drive the mob back and form hollow square about the hall
 While a consultation of the commanding officers and the mayor was held Captain J. H. Dillon, ono of the most prominent Catholics of the city, rendered his services as peacemakcr. He brought Vicar Gen. eral Cafferty, who is in charge of the dio- 1 the scene of trouble The vicar general addressed a portion of the mob. "This man Slattery," said he, "can do your church no harm. You arc bringing dis grace upon your religion by your conduct here tonight It can but meet condemna- tion. plead with you to disperse and go home. Do not render it necessary to shed blood here tonight ''
 A few of those addrcssei shook the vicar general by the hand and left, but the ma jority stood still. Major fIildrim and oth- CTS urged the mob To disperse, but to nc purpose. double line of soldiers a block long was formed. and while the rest of the military kept the crowd back nearly all of the audience passed out of the hall amid misses.
 Slattery Reaches His Hotel Safely.
 Slattery ard his wife and few men re mained in the hall Mayor Myers. Chiei
 McDernott and Colonel W. W. Gordon oi
 the First Georgia cavalry informed Stat tery's wifo that it was the intention tc leave the First regiment and the hussars to protect the hall while the guards bat
 talion escorted Slattery to the Pulask
 House.
 It was some time before she would con sent to leave her husband. She was as
 surcd that under no circumstances would , the mob be allowed to hurt him.
 The four companies of guards were sher banked about the door of the hall witt the police and Siattery wns brought down
 As he came out with eight policemen ant the mayor there was howl from the mob
 but the other military. charging bayonets
 pushed 1t back in all directions.
 At the hotel a mob of 610 or 600 hes t gathered. The military made a solid mas
 in front of tho entrance, presented bayo nets, and Slattcry walked in uninjured.
 large detachment of police was lett a r the hotel to guard him over night. Ever,
 door to the hotel was locked and guarded
 At Masonic hall the other seven companie
 remained as guard for Mrs. Slaitery an' to prevent further damage to property.