The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-27
KEY VESTS MOB SUBDUED.
SHERIFF,S POSSE AND MIL ITIA RE
STORE ORDER IN TIE PLACE.

Tho Negro Johnson Taken to Court and udenti.
nod By ais victim-neid for Trial by the
Csurt-wnrrnnta Issued for the Mob's
RinEieadsrs-The Regulars Not Called On.
KEY WEST. Fla, June ga strong editorial
article in the Key West Herald had the effect
Of bringing out 200 determined white mon lash,
night, who armed themselves and took posses.
sion of the nrmory. thus subduing the negroes,
who nrc now quiet. Sylvanus johnson. the
negro who assaulted Mrs. Atwel, had a prellmi.
nary hearing this morning. Mrs. Atwell identi-
fed him. johnson says thore were three others
with him! but he couldn't give their names.
The Sherif's posse, assisted by tho. local mili-
tary, have dispersed all crowds. Three negroes
were arrested. The military is still on duty.
Several leaders Of Thursday nights riotinR
will be arrested, and trouble may follow, but
the citizens nre prepared for II. Negroes held
jackson squarel last night and dcned tho whites.
There wero about 500 OF them, and they were
well armed. The shcrih's posse, in response to
tho newspaper call for aid, marched to the jail
with the militia in front. The mob saw them
coming and yielded. and soon tho square was In
possession Of the whites and the armory was
saved. The deputies In the Jail were greatly ro-
loved at this turn Of affairs. az many of tho no
gro leaders had debated tho plan Of breaking
Into tho armory and taking the guns. After
posting n strong guard inside tho armory and
Jail, the militia and most Of the posse spent the
night at the City Hall.
The mob soon gathered around the Jail again,
and remained there all night. At q late hour Q
mob began firing in one Of tho side streets. and
the Sheriff went out to disperse them. They ro-
fused to give way. and he fred at the leader.
wounding him. The leader was seen to fall, buo
was carried of quickly. The negroes returned
the fire, but their aim was wild and mono Of the
whites was harmed.
This morning when johnson was brought into
court for his preliminary hearing no was closely
guarded. Tho room was kept FREQ from out
siders, none but court officers being allowed in.
Mrs. Atwell was brought In, and she identified
him easily. Judge Phillips will call q special
term to try the case at once. Warrants have
been issued for twenty or thirty of the ring
leaders in the mobs. and their arrest will fol.
to more E1oting. and the Sheriff is preparing
jail. and in the suburbs several excited meetings
the isian aL'n f6 here Is Ee ono man snAs es rpsa iSa sT hail.
S SiSHSsa GeO'R he nG e Supposed wsS q s tS hsTs e Soo odsGS
powers: This has given MIN an ascendency,
superstition. He is an active agent in Keeping
alive the trouble and he will besarrested as soon
The whites received word from Tampa to-day
that a contingent from there would come over
on the next steamer. Late tonight there arc
many rumors on the streets. and the militia
have been ordered to keep under arms. The
Sherin's posse Is under arms and ready at q
moments notice to be called out. Sheriff Knight
is a cool.headed officer. and to his GOODNESS and
good judgment is due the fact that no more blood
has been shed. The negroes are very bitter
against Col. Pendleton. who started the lynch
ing fever in court. and he is being gu arded.
The United States regulars were under arms
last night, ready to respond II needed. To-day
they have paraded around the fort. giving the
negroes an idea of what can be done II needed.
They will stand ready tn-niOhf ~ nccasipn n9era
WASHINGTON, June 26.-Federal troops have
not as yet been ordered out at Key West. Sec
rotary Alger visited tho White House this morn.
ing 10 get late advices from the scene of trouble,
but GOV. Bloxham has not yet finally appealed
troops. and unless he should do so the President
will take no action. Secretary Alger this morn
ing telegraphed army officials at Key West for
their opinions of the situation, but SO far a. 10
Is known no replies have been received.