Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-02-27
SAVANNAH. GA, Feb. 9s.


cept the artillery. has been on duty ana
there are ten infantry companies and
the Georgia Huzzars, the latter being
dlsmounted. A mob estimated at from
1000 to 5000, the greater part being Cath
ollcs has challenged their forbearance
TO the extreme
But for the GOODNESS OF Mayor Her
man 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
Masonic Temple. one of the prominent
buildings OF the city. and situated in
the heart OF Savannah, stubbornly re-
fused 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 lee
ture here on Catholicism.
Members OF the Ancient order of HI
bernians at once took steps TO prevent
their appearance here. Petitions were
circulated asking Mayor Myers to re-
fuse to permit the ex-priest to hold his
lecture. The petition said that II Stat
terry was allowed to speak there would
be disorder and riot. About 500 signed
the petition. When It was presented
TO the mayor by committee of twelve
Catholics, including the presidents Of
two divisions OF the Ancient order OF
Hibernians. he handed them a written
statement from the corporation attor-
ney that he had no right to stop the
lecture. In his opinion. the city at
torney said there could be no disorder
or trouble II those who would be offend
ed by Slatterys remarks would stay
away from his lecture. He urged all to
do so, also asking the committee to ad-
wise all Catholics to keep away from
the lecture.
Il cannot stop this man from lectur-
ing,' said the mayor, who IL Il He
brew, but 1 can prevent disorder and
l will do 50. II the police are not sutt-
Client ~ enforce the law, military will
appealed to-"
The committee stated that it was
their desire to avoid trouble and they
would use their influence In that d.
rectlOn. They did SO. but their efforts
failed. All today 1t had been ruIlpred
that mObs would come from dinB'en
sections and that Slattery woula be
killed, The fact that he was to put on
IN.. "a al. 90 ~. IT,. q H..
his lecture spread like wild fire and
raised Intense feeling among the Cath
olics.
Mayor Myers Issued strict orders to
Chief McDermott to have the entire
police force on hand at the Masonic
temple.
Fifteen policemen were stationed In
side the hall and thirty others We're
massed In front
When slattery arrived the mob was
not large enough TO cope with the po-
lice, but by $ o'clock a bowling mob
OF over 1900 surrounded Masonic hall
In the hall was an audience of about
4UOV, including number of ladies'. The
lecturer hade barely begun befor
brick bats and cObble stones began to
rain in the windows.
The police had closed all the heavy
inside shutters thus saving the audi
being hurt. The rest OF the police force
was called out and fifty men We're soon
in front OF the hall. The mob made a
rush to secure an entrance. but was
driven back time after time. BY
o'clock the mob had grown to probably
5000 or 1000 people. Window after win
dow in the Masonic Temple was crash
ed. Cries Of KIN him; down with Stat
terry; death to the renegade" were
heard.
Chief McDermott summoned the NAV
or, The lecture closed at $3.50 and IL
was apparent that 1t meant the loss
of many lives for THE lecturer and his
audience to leave the hall.
Upstairs number OF members OF
secret organizations who had proved
Slattery's declaration that he belonged
to them had gathered around the ex-
priest 10 defend him as he left the
hall A number, it 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 ~
pSlce stopped them and refused 10 al
low them to leave.
outside Mayor Myers and Col. VIM.
SaFfard were In consultation. The mob
Missed the police and hooted at Their
orders 10 dispense.
Inc military alarm, eleven taps on
all the lire bells in the city. was sem
rlded 1t. '0' ne
Bring on your military" some OF
the leaders shouted ITO hell win
them they can't save slattery."
Ihe Georgia Huzzars, dismounted
uNier commSnd OF Major MildraN,
We're the flrst to respond The organI,
1ation contained thirty men In all The
MOP evidently believed that this was
an they intended to bring out and
laughed at them as they drew un, soon
after the tramp of other military was
heard. and four companies of the So
Nehhah volunteer guards, under com
ihand OF Colonel Garrard, swung into
posluon In front of the hall with fixed |
cartridges jail
by order of the mayor the Ruords |
FORMED IN two single lines and charged |
the mob with fixed bayonets In hone /
OF breaking II. The mob was Shaved
back, but refused TO brenk and oc-
uasionally rocks were thrown al tha
hall The mob was sullen and do
hant and apparently determined
Six companies from the First re,t-
mont. under Lieut. Col. RsnJv. came a.,
soon attrrwnrd, making eleven COM
panies on the ground, In the hall the
auulence was SIN penned up: some Of
~. Wy women we've crying, and those
Nho Fentured to glance out at the risk
y broken head saw the mob and the
ong INES OF military In all directions
'nu found nothing TO encourage them
me militia was deployed SO as to