Evening journal., 1895-02-27


and the roliee and Militia HAD An They
Could DO to save sia,tery's Life.
SAVANNAH. Feb ~. Last night was the
alost exciting night IN the history Of Sa-
vannah. For 1--WE hours the city trcmhled
~ the verge Of religious riots. The entire
white military force Of the city except the
artillery has been ON duty. There are ten
infantry companies and the Georgia hns-
sars, the latter being dismonnted. A mob
estimated at from 3, 600 to 9, 600, a greater
part being Catholics has challenged their
forbearance to the extreme.
But for tho 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 ono
Of the principal buildings Of the city and
situated in the heart of Savannah, stub
bornly refused TO retire.
For three days il had been apparent that
grave trouble was brewing. The city had
been liberally placarded with notices that
ex-Priest Slattery and his wife. described
as an ex-nun, would lecture here on Ca
tholcisin. Members Of the Ancient Order
Of Hibernians, q secret Catholic organiza-
tion, at once took steps to prevent their
appearance here.
Petitions We're circulated asking Mayor
Myers to refuse to permit the cx-priest to
hold his lecture. The petition said that II
Slattery was allowed to speak there would
be disorder and riot. About 500 signed
the petition.
Mayor Warned the Committee.
When it was presented to the mayor by
a committee Of l2 Catholics, including tho
presidents Of two divisions Of the Ancient
/ Order Of Hibcrnians, he handed them
written opinion from the corporation at
t9rney to the effect that he as mayor had
no power to abridge the right Of free speech
| guaranteed by the constitution OF tho
United States and Georgia In his opin-
| ion the city attorney said that there could
| 80 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 SO Mayor Myers also ask
ed the committee to advise all Catholics to
keep away from the lecture
II cannot stop this man from lectur-
ing, said the mayor, who is "A Hebrew,
but ] can prevent disorder, and / will do
SO. II the police are not a sufficient force
70 do so, the military viii be appealed TO-
1
The committee stated that It was their
desire to avoid trouble, and that they
would use their influence in that direction
| They did SO. but their efforts utterly failed.
All Of yesterday it had been rumored that
mobs would come from different sections
of the city. and that Slattery would be
| killed The fat that he was to put ON
| tho garb of q priest IN tine course Of his
lecture spread ike wildllre and raised AN
intense feeling among Catholics.
Mayor Myers issued instructions to
| Chief AlcDermott d have the entire avail
able police force on hand at Masonic tenn
pie Fifteen policemen were stationed iu-
side the hall, and 30 others were massed
ia 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 s o'clock a bowling
hob Of over 500 surrounded Masonic
HALL. In the hall were an audience OF
E ont 400, including a number Of ladies.
Ile lecturer had hardly begun before brick
hats and cobblestones began to rain on
the windows The police had closed all
the heavy inside shutters. This saved the
audience from injury, only two or three
ksing injured by flying glass. The rest oi
tse police force was called out, and so Off
Gers We're soon in front Of the hall.
Cried Tor slattery's Blood.
The mob made rushos to secure an en-
trance, but was driven back time after
time by the police Before o'clock the
mob had grown toprobably between 3 00C
and 4, 600 people Window after window
in the Masonic temple was smashed.
Cries Of " Kill him n Down with Slat
terylh and Death to the renegadep' wer,
heard. Chief McDermott summoned tn,
mayor. The lecture closed at $3.50 o'clock,
and it was apparent that it meant the los
Of many lives for the lecturer and the au
dience to leave the hall. Up stairs mum
Der Of members Of secret organization
who had cheered Slattery's declaration
that he belonged TO them had gathered
around the ex-prest to defend him as they
left the hall
"A number, it was evident, had comi
armed in anticipation Of such trouble. Al
tho ex-priost was about to leave the hal
with his friends the chief of police stop
ped them and refused to allow any one q
90 down stairs. Outside Mayor Myers an,
Colonel William Garrard were in consul
tation. The mob hissed at the police an'
hooted at their orders to disperse.
The military alarm-l1 taps on all fir
bells in the city-was sent in, but whel
II sounded the mob derided it. Bring d
your military some of the leaders shout
~ TO hi with them They emit saw
Slatteryl"
The Georgia hussars, dism0nnted an
der command Of Major Mildrim, were til
FIRST to respond. The organization con
tamed 30 men ia all The mob eyidentl
believed that this was an that it was III
tended to bring ont aud laughed at then
as they drew up in front Of the hall 500
after the tramp Of other military wa
heard. and four companies Of the Savan
nah Volunteer guard', under command 9
Colonel Garrard, swung into position Il
front of the hall with fixed bayonets an
rifles loaded with ball cartridges
Charged the Mob with Bayonets.
. BY order Of the mayor the guards form
cd in two single lines and charged th
mob with fixed hayonets in hope Of break
ing IT, The mob was showed back slowly
but refused to break, and occasional rock
were thrown at the hall The mob wa
sullen and defiant and apparently deter
; mined. Six companies from the First reg
incnt, under command Of Lieutenan
a Colonel Reilly came up soon afterwarc
= | tpalrfn.g 1 f.nturnnfaa IN fine ffrptud