Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-02-27
BAYONETs FOR RIOTERS
Savannah Catholics Tried to Kin
 Ex-Priest Slattery.
TRIED TO PREVENT HIS LEoTURIEs.

 artillery has been on duty. There ara ten infantry companies and the Georgia bus sars, the latter being dismounted. A mob estimated at from 3. 900 to 5, GOO, greater part being Catholics, has challenged their 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 on Ca tholicism. Members of the Ancient Order of Hibcrnians, a secret Catholic organiza- tion, at once took steps to prevent their appearance here.
 Petitions were circulated asking Mayor Myers to refuse to permit the ex-priest to hold his lecture. The petition said that if Slattery was allowed to speak there would be disorder and riot. About 500 signed the petition.
 Mayor Warned the Committee.
 "ASAA A was RANoNhNSA No AAC AAeAJ0k " a committee of 12 Catholics, including the presidents of two divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians he handed them 6 written opinion from the corporation at- torney to tho effect that he as mayor had no power to abridge the right of free speech guaranteed by the constitution of the United States and Georgia. In his opin- ion the city attorney said that 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 so. Mayor Myers also ask ed the committee to advise all Catholics to keep away from the lecture
 "I cannot stop this man from lectur- ing" said the mayor, who Is Q Hebrew, "but can prevent disorder, and will do SO. If t. police are not & sufficient force to do so, the military will be appealed to. Rioting will not be tolerated."
 Tho committee stated that 1t was their desire to avoid trouble, and that they would use their influence in that direction. They did SO hut 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 fact that he was to put on the garh of a priest in the course of his lecture sprCNd like wildfire and raised an l intense feeling among Catholics.
 Mayor Myers issued instructions to l Chief McDermott to have the 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 1 assumed large enough proportions to cope with the police. By s o'clock a bowling mob of over l.50O surrounded Masonic hall. Iu the hall were an audience of about 400, including number of ladies. The lecturer had hardly begun before brick 1 bats and cobbiestoneS 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 being injured by flying glass The rest of the police force was called out. and 50 off, cers were soon in front of the hall Cried For Slsttery's Blood.
 The mob made rushes to secure an en- trance. but was driven back time after time by the police. Before o'clock tho mob had grown to probably between 3. ooo and 1, 900 people, Window after window in the Masonic temple was smashed. | Cries of "Kill him I" "Down with Stat. tery" and Death to the renegadet' were heard. Chief MeDermott summoned the mayor. The lecture closed at 9:3o o'clock. | and it was apparent that it meant the loss of many lives for the lecturer and the au- dience to leave the hall. Up stairs q num- her 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 as they 1 left tho hall.
 A number. 1t was evident, had come armed in anticipation of such trouble. As I Sb, uIN SaI ha hur 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 Garsard were in consul tation. The mob hissed at tho police and hooted at their orders to disperse
 Tho military alarm-l1 taps on all fire bells in the city-was sent In, but when 1t sounded the mob derided it. Bring on your military" some of the leaders shout ed. ITO h-l with them! They can't save Slattery!"
 The Georgia hussars. dismonnted. un- der command of Major Mildrim, were the first to respond. The organization con. tained 80 mon in all The mob evidently believed that this was all that 1t 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 tho Sayan- nah Volunteer guards under command oi Colonel Garrard, swung into position in front of the hall with fixed bayonets and rifles loaded with ball cartridges
 Charged the Mob With Bayonets.
 By order of the mayor the guarda form. ed in two single lines and charged ths mob with fixed hayonets 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 waa sullen and defiant and apparently deter mined. Six companies from the First reg iment. under command Of IieutanAnt Colonel Reilly. came up soon afterwaSd making II companies ofsthe ground
 In the hall the audience was still penned up. Some of the women were crying. and those who Sentured to glance out At the risk of 6 broken head and saw the mol and the long lines of military in all direo tions found nothing to encourage them. The military was deployed SO As to driSs the mob hack and form hollow sQuArs about the hall.
 While a consultation of the commanding officers and the mayor was held Captain J. II. Dillon, one of the most prominent Catholics of the city, tsndered his service, I eral Cafforty, who is in charge of the dlo cess in the absence of Bishop Booker, . the scene of trouble The vicar aeneEA addressed portion of the mob. "Thi man Slattery." said he. ''can do you church no harm. You arc bringing dis grace upon your religion by your condue here tonight. It can but meet cOndemna tion. I plead with you to disperss and q home. Do not render 1t necessary to shes blood here tonight" ~A 4 few of those addressed shook the vtcA general by the. hand and left. but the una 3ority stood still. Major Mildrim and oeh CTS urged the mob to diaparse. bus to n