The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-27
TROOPS AVERT A RIOT.
EX-PRIEST SLATTERY SAVED
FRON A HOB.
MASONIC HALL ATTACKED.
The Police POweTleSS to Prevent
Violence.
TIE MILITARY CALLED OUT.
Ten Companies on the
Scene.
KISSED AND JEERED By THE mob.
KISSED AND JEERED BY THE MOB.
The Ex.Priest Taken From the
Hall Under Guard.
HIS LECTURE ON THE PRIESTHOOD.


Ex-Priest Slattery's lecture at Masonic
hall last night was the cause Of one of
the widest sensations Savannah has
known in recent years The city was
threatened for hours with riot. The
police were unable to control the mob and
the military was called out to escort the
ex-priest to his hotel.
An audience Of between 300 and 400 peo-
pie. of whom about 100 were ladies', lis
tened to the lecture. which lasted about an
hour. It was interrupted throughout by
the crashing of the windows by stones
thrown by the crowd on the outside. The
blinds prevented the stones from coming
through and there was no disposition to
stampede. The audience, in fact, did not
fully realize the extent of the excitement
on the outside. It was only when Chief
McDermott refused to allow the audience
to leave the hall until the crowd should
be dispersed that it was realized that the
situation was serious. Chief McDer-
motifs action was timely. Many in the
audience had come prepared for trouble
and had already announced their intention
of escorting the lecturer to his hotel. Al
though outnumbered five to one. there was
determination to face the mob and fight
II out.
Chief McDermott was on the ground
early, with Lieut.. Reilly sergt. Baughan
and detail of thirty men. Ten were or
dered to guard the landing and prevent
disorder there. The men on the inside had
an easy time Of 1T, but those on the out
side did not Just how many were in the
mob it would be difficult to say but tile de-
monstration was by about 200 hoodlums,
chiefly from The Old Fort and Yamaoraw.
The presence of several hundred spec
tators, many Of whom no doubt sympa-
thized with the mob but the majority OF
whom deprecated its actions. made the
situation appear more threatening than
II really was. and made it impossible for the
police to get at the real disturbers The
mob began 20 charge the door about $50
o'clock, but was beaten back several times
by the police. Finding they could not
get in that way, number started up the
elevator shaft in the rear Of the building.
Chief McDermott thought of this just in
time. and drove the crowd back with
squad of police.
The fight in Liberty street lane was
sharp for a minute or two Several heads.
were broken. and several policemen were
struck with stones and bricks. Police,
man Christy had a niger broken Sew
eral Of the police guarding the front Of
the building were struck with stones. Po-
hceman Brantley received a severe blow
in the head, ana was sent to a physician to
have his wound dressed. Chief McDer-
mott saw that it would be impossible for
the small force of the police to handle
the mob when the lecturer and his audi
ence should attempt to leave the hail
and he decided 10 call upon Mayor Myers
for the military.
The situation became more alarming
and the throwing of stones against the
building continued. Mayor Myers came to
the conclusion that quick and decided &C
tion was necessary. lie telephoned Col.
William Garrard OF the Savannah Volun-
teer Guards battalion. and a consulta-
ton was held. 1t was soon seen from the
demonstrations that were being made that
the police would DE powerless to stop
the disturbances, and that clear
ing the streets was out Of the
question. 1t was then decided TO sound
the riot alarm ana call out the forces. 1t
was about 9I5 O'Clock when Mayor Myers
telephoned Chief Puder, he having prev
iously consulted with Col. Garrard, and
ordered him to give the signal.
The eleven strokes were sounded few
minutes later ana everybody who knew,
what was gong on around the Masonic
Temple knew what the signal meant A
great many, however. were unaware that
any disturbance was in progress. ana
thought that il was for a fire. When the
big duke struck eleven. two score or more
of the military boys were at a german at
the Guards arsenal, while a large num-
her were al the theater Few of them
realized that such a signal had been given.
and some could hardly believe h after
they had been told 3 hat it was. They did
not stop to question the fact. however,
but ali Of them who heard it or heard Of
it made break for their armories 1t
was scarcely half an hour before the
Guards ana Hussars were ready to march,
fully armed and equipped They waited
quietly in their armories for orders, how
ever before moving
Maj. P. w. Meldrim of the First Geor-
gia cavalry was the first officer in uni
form on the scene. and he soon posted
himself on the situation. The crowd by
this time had been backed across Liberty
street opposite the han on one side. and