The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-06-26
FIERCE RACE War IN FLORIDA
An Attemp; to Lynch a Negro Brute
ROuSeS the Blacks.
THEY THREATEN TO BURN KEY west.
Fire Arms Promiscuousiy DischarS.d'
and Prominent Citizen kiiled-fresi-
dent Mckinley Appealed to for
United States Troops,

KEY WEST, FLA, June 2j.-For for
ty light hours this city has been ON the
verge Of a race war. Mrs. Maggie Atweil
(white) was assaulted on Wednesday at-
tcruoon by Sylvanus Johnston (coloreU,
who wal promptly identified and jailed
Two unsuccessful attempts were made by
white men yesterday to lynch him, and
these efforts greatly onrased the blacks
As a measure Of prccaution against III
outbreak on either side, tho lslahu |"s
Guards. the local militia company, slspe
an their armory last night. Late IN inc
evening the negroes openly thitdl,htu -
burn the city and Kill tire white lnnaul
tants surrounded tho county JAN "li"
tho arnory. and began 10 DISCHARGE hie-
arms prOmisCuOusly. William bhunti q
highly respected white citiZen was h'l'u
bv a bulljt. James Sawyer, a white man,
was beaten senseless by the blacks. NO
further outbreaks have occurred to-uaS.
The militia took their guns from the
armory this morning, ana to-nlsht "le ~
the city Hall, while -vp cltl@ehs' 9N'
in a., deputy sherins and the soliierS NJ
the United states barracks are Iea"S
TO assist the militia. ,
TALLAHASSEE. FLA, June Upon
receipt of telegram from Key West
about noon to-day djutaut-General
company 10 report az once 10 Sherit
Knight for duty and Governor bloNham
telegraphed TO President Mckinley as
follows: .. ,.
follows: ,.,.
"A negro risoner is in jail charged with
assault on a white woman. An ai-
tempt was made TO lynch him. Tho ne
gross are greatly enraged and threaten
10 burn the city and Kill the whites \
d.. 90
rounded the jail and courthouse squares
and about II oclocltsthe negroes beg IN
firing rifles and pistols killing one Whl'e
man and several others are rcppiteu
wounded. Great excitement prevails ana
serious trouble is impending tonight
request YOU TO order the Key west null
tarv comnanv to our assistance, but am
afraid that one company VIII be power
less before a mob Of infurlated blacks ana
ask that YOU request the President OF
the United States to order the command
ing officer OF the United States troops
stationed here 10 come 10 the assistance
of the civil authorities If needed 10 save
life and property. No state troops @ @s'il
reach Key West sooner than Sunday
night" A..
county Judge city clerk, migration IN
suectOr and two justices Of the peace.
Owing TO the distance Of Key West from
the mainland. | can furnish only the ono
tlon for the assistance OF the United
states troops il necessary AZ the urgent
request OF the officials and cltizehs OF
1SicnedD "W. d. BLOXHAM.
Governor Of Florida
M'KINLEY ASKS INFORMATION.
MASHINGTON, juno 25.-This aft9r-
noon the Governor Of Florida telegraph
ed President Mckinley that riot Is
threatened at Key West. and asked him
that I'm view OF the distance OF Key west
from the main land, and the difficulty in
getting State troops 10 the scene of the
trouble I'm time 10 be of any avail %
instruct the commander of the United
States troops TO act. The President r.
Piled 10 the Governor, citing the law IN
the case. and asking for particulars. SEC
rotary Algor has tclcgraphed TO the COM
mandant Of the post at Key West ask
ing for tclegrlphic advices, giving the
exact situation. The action 10 Doe taken
will depend upon tho response 10 these
inquiries.
The request OF the Governor for the
: assistance Of the Federal troops was dis
cussed at a conference at the White
House tonight. There was present be-
sides the President. Secretary Alger. At
torncy-Goneral AIcKennl, and General
Brock. Of the army.
The conference lasted until after ~
o'clock. Secretary Algor stated that more
had been nothing further received from
Key West bearing on the situation, ana
IN the absence Of Information no action
had vet been taken on the Governor g
request There are now two companies
OF artillery and one or more OF Infantry
stationed at that point.