New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-15
ILLINOIS TOWNS AT WAR.
BIG RIOT RESULTED FROM AN ATTEMPT TO Pc
MOVE FORCIBLY RECORDS OF THE
WOODMEN,S ORDER

MOVE FORCBLY RECORDS OF THE
wOODMEN'S ORDER.
Fulton. Ill. Aug. H-Mr. Johnson chief attorney
OF the Modern woodmen of America. who one
of those arrested in connection with yesterdays
riot, has been served with injunction, issued
late last night by Master in Chancery McPahren.
Sterling. for the purpose of preventing any fur
ther efforts TO remove the headquarters of the
der 10 Rock Island by force. Anthony Bastian and
G. w. Clendennon. of Fulton. who were directors
of the Modern Woodmen In 1890 when the Board
reduced from thirteen TO five took possession
Of the head clerks office early this morning
directors Of the order.
The history Of the long fight to remove the head
quarters Of the Modern Woodmen Of America from
Fulton H., to other points is interesting. 1t in
1879 that the Modern Woodmen Of America was or
sanized under the laws OF Illinois. The charter ex-
pressy stipulated that the headquarters should be
in the State Of Illinois. The place within the State
immaterial, but Fulton was the home of J.
c. Root one Of the founders of the order. he
lected that place as the headquarters Of the or
ganiZation. AS the association prospered Root
thought he would move IL to some larger city 1t
in 1890. eleven years later. that the idea OF
change entered Roots head Omaha then
booming and ne selected that place the future
home of his company. When he had completed all
arrangements TO go to Omaha he suddenly dscov-
cred that the people of Fulton proposed TO have
word to say about the matter. About carload Of
records had accumulated by that time at Fulton
attempted to remove these from the town he was
interrupted by an injunction issued from the Dis
t-ict Court.
The case tried and determined in favor Of
Fulton the permanent home of the association.
Root appealed. and the Supreme Court confirmed
the decision. This fight had provoked much Bit
terness in the organization, and there were many
who were satisfied to have Root at the head Of
the order. which at that time essentially an
Illinois institution and which he was anxious
move TO some other State Then fight start
ed TO oust him as Sovereign Commander
preme head of the Modern Woodmen. The mat
ter went through all the State courts and Root
was finally defeated. He al once went 10 Omaha
and started a rival order known the Woodmen
of the World.
The fight to keep headquarters at Fulton was
not reopened until two years ago. when at the
Milwaukee convention, the city OF Rock Island,
ILL.,. offered to furnish the order permanent build
ing at that place II the headquarters were brought
there II was accepted and the records ordered
removed
While the charter provides that the headquarters
shall remain In the State. it does not indicate the
town and the courts Of Illinois have so held. Con-
saouentIy when the Rock Island delegation arrived
q, $40 Yesterday with 575 and Immediately
proceeded to the Offices OF the order, they met with
desperate resistance from the start The Rock
Islanders succeeded in getting the bulk OF the rec
ords The FultOntcs were reinforced by cro"ds
from Clinton and Lyons, and having tAis adVan-
sge and with IL the Of the arms OF the Lyons
company of the Illinois state Militia, guard was
formed about the train bringing the Rock island
In time two additional lhJunctIohs
were secured and the Snerin sWore IN ~ dePutlyS
TO assist in enforcing tnem me Gi.oh PeopiJi
showed fight from the moment the Rock lsland
crowd arrived. -, d.,
AT the door Of the head office the village marshal
William Bennett, stood with drawn IeNoNcI a
hrck from one Of the invaders feIIed MN 10 tne
| ground The Rock Islanders then made a rush @ inIo
Office captured the records Al IN" Sih ION
which is half book distant. the nsht was r'he"e
and here II took the nature OF ro' iuiIhS "'iCn
/ 1n1r nd
were placed under arrest 1t was al TINS uhie
large number on both sides were injured.
No record of Judge Gests decree di>soiVlns IN"
Injunction against the removal OF the records nom
Fulton has Vet been filed at Morrison, where the
Injunction was granted Therefore the injunction Is
siil In force The FuOnles. II Is asserted were
justified in repelling the Rock Island invaders hst
night and the Rock Islanders and their friends VINO
torney Johnson. OF the Modern Woodm"n Of Amer,
ca charged with nciting TO riot, has been released
500 bond
Springfield H.. Aug. Ex-Governor Tanner
ceved many dispatches during the night about the
| Woodmen's trouble call for troops made hy
| MAJOR Med OF Rock Island. The Governor has
| gwen the following statement concerning ihe
affair:
The messages received nave led me 10 believe
| that the Rock Island people, or the WoCdmen. puT
sued unwise course in cnaiieIing tho ird.n and
/ loading IL with five hundred Rock Island citizens
! and proceeding into Ful;on with much gusto and
show. Such course was calculated 10 create A TiO
II the courts decree that tho records and books Ol
! the Modern WOodmcn beong in and shall bc re-
moved Rock Island the whole power Of the state
Is hchnl the courts to enforce heir decree But In
| order procure thai power they mus; proceed In
| an orderly. lawful and peaceful manner.
| II am pleased to-day 10 that all IS peace ft
| and quiet. and that the outcome has justified the
wisdom OF my action In refusing troops"