Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-07-03
PROTECTED HIM.
COLORED MEN DEFEND
THE LAW.
Several rIen Killed.
President Mckinley Asked to
Send Troops.
Several r1en Killed.
The Governors Letter.

KEY WEST, FLA. June 25.-For for
ty-eight hours this city has been on
the verge of a race war. Mrs. Maggie
Atwell (white) was assaulted on We'd
nesday afternoon by Sylvanus John
ston (colored), who was promptly iden-
titled and jailed. Two unsuccessful
attempts were made Ly white men
yesterday to lynch him, and these ef-
forts greatly enraged the blacks AS
a measure of precaution against an
outbreak on either side, the Island
City Guards, the local militia compa-
ny, slept at their armory last night.
FIRE AS A WEAPON.
Late in the evening, the colored peo-
pie openly threatened to burn the city
and kill the white inhabitants. sur
rounded the county Jail and the Armo-
ry, and began to discharge firearms
promiscuously. William Gardner, a
highly respected white citizen was
killed by a bullet. James Sawyer. q
white man, was beaten senseless by
the blacks. No further outbreaks
have occurred to-day.
THE MILITIA ON DUTY.
The militia took their guns from the
Armory this morning, and tonight
are st the City Hall. while two hun
dred citizens sworn in as deputy sher-
ifs, and the soldiers at the United
States barracks, are ready TO assist
the militia.
WASHINGTON, June 25 This after
noon the Governor OF Florida tele-
graphed President Mckinley that riot
is threatened at Key West, and asked
him that, in view of the distance of
Key West from the mainland, and the
difficulty III getting State troops to
the scene of trouble in time to be OF
any avail, Co instruct the commander
of the United States troops to act.
THE PRESIDENT CAUTIOUS.
The President replied to the Cover
nor. citing the law in the case, and
asked for particulars. Secretary AL.
ger has telegraped the commandant ol
the post of Key West, asking for tele-
graphic advices giving the exact situa.
tiOn. The action to be taken will de.
pend upon the response to these in
quiries.
The request of the Governor for the
assistance of the Federal troops wa
discussed at a conference at the White
House tonight. There were presen
besides the President, Secretary Alge,
Attorney General McKeDna, and Gen
eral Brooks, of the army.
CONFERENCE AT wAsHINGToN.
The conference lasted until after l
O'Clock. Secretary Alger stated tina
there had been nothing further receiv
ed from Key West bearing on the sit
uation, and in the absence of any in
formation, no action has yet been tax
en- on the Governors request. Their
are now two companies of artiller
and one or more of infantry statione
at that point.
THE GOVERNORS LETTER.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA June 25 -Upo
receipt OF a telegram from Key Wesi
about noon to-day, Adjutant -Geners
Houston wired to the Key West mil
tia company to report at once to SheI
iff knight for duty and Governo
Bloxham telegraphed President N
Kinley as follows: 1.-The Sheriff q
Key West wires nae as follows: :.
Negro prisoner is in jail, charged wit
felonious assault on a white woman
An attempt was made to lynch hin
The cOlored people are greatly enraf
ed and threaten to burn the city, an
kill the whites. A large number
colored people last night surrounde
the Jail and court house squares, an
about O'Clock the colored people b'
gan firing rifles and pistols, killing on
white man, and several others are n
ported wounded. Great excitemen
prevails, and serious trouble is i'm
pending to night. / request you to OF
der the Key West military company [
our assistance, but am afraid that or
company will be powerless before
mob of infuriated blacks, and / as
that you request the President Of th