The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-10-02
BL0ODSHED AyERTED.
War Between Fulton and Rock
island at an End.
MODERN wOODMEN IMBROGLIO.

Lieutenant Governor Northcott Roughly
Handled and Imprisoned by Mob at
Fulton While Trying to Carry the Wood
mems Books and Records Away from
the PIace-CalIs Upon Governor Tanner
for Troops, but They Are Not Needed.
Fulton, Ills, oct. 2.-The war which
has been waged between this city and
Rock Island for possession of the books
and records Of the Modern Woodmen is
at an end, and bloodshed has been hap
PLY averted. The climax came Thurs
day afternoon when Lieutpnant Govern
or Northcott. accompanied by Adjutant
General Reece and Sheriff Fuller, who
was assisting in the removal Of the rec
ords were subjected to a rude beating
at the hands of the Fultonites and
locked up in the railroad depot here.
The Lieutenant Governor was not to
be overcome without fierce struggle.
From the solitude Of his improvised cell
he hastily wired Governor Tanner in
forming him of his predcament and
asking for troops to assist in his liberia
ton. The sheriff joined in the petition.
Governor Tanner responded by ordering
out five companies of the national
guard. but before hostilities could be be-
gun Mr.. Northcott was released and
made his way to Rock Island with his
burden.
During the morning Judge Gest dis
solved the last of the temporary injunc-
tions issued by the master in chancery
to prevent the removal Of the office Of
the Modern Woodmen Of America from
Fulton to Rock Island, and his presence
in Whiteside county left the master in
chancery powerless to issue another.
InJunctions Dissolved.
Lieutenant Governor Northcott came
to Fulton from Morrison with a team,
and going to the office secured the char
ter seal. and funds of the order, and
putting them in charge of an employe,
drove to Rock Island. Later the steam
er Hennepin came from Rock Island
with about thirty men on board. They
were accompanied by Adjutant General
Reece. Northcott met the boat. and
with his assistants began to carry the
books on board. A crowd gathered and
Northcott ordered the boat to pull out.
During the afternoon a crowd fol-
lowed Northcott to the depot and pelted
him with stale tomatoes. He returned
to the office and attempted to beard the
Burlington train going south. Reece,
who accompanied him. was pounded and
cufred, but boarded the train, where he
was further assaulted while on the way
TO Clinton.
Northcott returned to the waiting
room. which was SURROUNDED by the
crowd. which kept growing. He was
kept a prisoner until 8 o'clock
SheriT Asks for the Militia.
Sheriff Fuller asked Governor Tanner
early in the evening for the militia.
which was granted. and Colonel Foster
Of the Sixth regiment turned out with
Major Baldwin of Dixon Major An
thony Of Sterling Captain McGrath. and
forty members Of Company { Of Dixon.
and fifty deputy sheriffs arrived from
Sterling at 9 o'clock.
When the troops arrived hundreds
gathered from Lyons. Clinton. and this
city Jeering remarks were made by the
crowd. and Captain McGrath attempted
to arrest a man from Clinton. This in
censed the crowd and epithets were
hurled at the company. At 10 o'clock
Northcott boarded the north-b bound
train on the Burlington. The militia
furnished a guard for him and he rode
in the express car. After his departure
w. Stager, states attorney, commanded
the crowd to disperse. which IL did. The
company, under Northcott's orders. was
sent to the head clerks office to guard
1t. and will assist with the removal. No
further trouble is anticipated.