The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-08
ELWOOD FAKE WRITER
ORIGINATED STORY OF UPRISING
AGAINST NEGROES.
Governor Mount Investigates the Mat
ter-MayOr Finch COmpeIs the Cor
respondent to Retract.

Some sensational reports from Elwood,
published in the Cincinnati Enquirer, to
the effect that there was an effort to drive
out of Elwood a colony of colored laborers,
has caused some official correspondence
This correspondence has resulted in show
ing the utter groundlessness of the reports.
A few days ago the Governor received a
letter from the secretary of the National
Anti-mob and Lynch-law Association, with
headquarters at Springfield. o. The letter
said:
The above association has been formed
for the purpose OF discouraging mobs and
lynching within the United states, and 70
press such practices in this country. we
see by the morning papers that an effort
is being made in Indiana TO drive Out ne
groeS from the city OF ElWood, and tnat
trouble is expected. We hope you will dis
courage any such movement. We believe
that the negro has as much right TO i've in
Indiana as any other class of people; there
fore, they should be protected from the
lawlesS persons who threaten to drive them
out.
Our association has appealed to a great
many of the GOVerno1s to discourage and
suppress the lawlesss elements within their
jurisdiction, and all o. them say they VIII
do their best to stop it If you read the ut
| terances of one Eugene V. Debs you can
readily see where VIC are drifting this
country"
Acting upon this letter, Governor Mount
wrote the following letter to the mayor of
Elwood:
Reports have been brought to my atten-
ton, through the public prints and by let
ter to the effect that there is a disposition
on the part of certain citizens of Elwood
to prohibit negroes from taking residence
there l sincerely trust that you will put
me in possession of information that will
| tend to refute these reports, or, at least,
| show that they have been grossly exag-
gerated; otherwise l desire to be furnished
with full particulars
I'm any event, the impression must not
be permitted to prevail that there exists
anywhere in Indiana spirit of unjust dis
elimination that amounts to intolerance.
and those in authority should Immediately
| take such steps as may be deemed most ex-
pedent to countePact the baleful influence
of current comment concerning the Situa-
| ton in your city. In order that we may
proceed with a perfectly clear understana-
| ing, [ respectfully urge you to investigate
the matter and advise me at your earliest
convenience of the result of your investt-
cation. AS long as these sensational re-
ports are allowed to go uncontradicted
your community will suffer. and 1t is to the
interest of every well-meaning citizen Of
Elwood to cooperate, to the end that your
city may be relieved of the stigma of har-
boring any ill-feeling against class of
and privileges of American sOvereignS.
Il desire it to be distinctly understood
that while 1 occupy the office of Governor,
it shall be my constant purpose to protect,
as far as possible the inalienable rights of
every citizen, regardless of race, color and
previous condition of servitude.' and in the
cooperation of all law-abiding citizens and
support the effort with all the power at my
command. If you will kindly make report
of the situation as it actually exists and
advise me at your earliest opportunity
shall be greatly obliged to you"
In reply to the letter of the Governor, in
communication dated Monday last. w. A.
Finch mayor of Elwood. says: II have
made careful investigation of the mat
ter and find that the whole story origin
~, he Of a 0OrrocOOndapt 10
metropolitan dailies. who, for the sake of
paltry sum, sent out report detrimental
to the good name of this city. l very much
regret this. l have received a large num-
Der of letters in regard to it from the
South. Our people In general knew noth-
ing about this until they read the article,
but no one gave any credence to 1t, as it is
not the first time these correspondents have
sent out sensational articles with no truth
at the back of them. We nave, L DelleVe,
fourteen colored people living here. have
seen or heard from ten OF them, and they
have received no intimidating threats from
any source | wish to assure you that our
people are law-abiding, industrious and
happy, looking forward to season or
prosperity and ready to welcome to their
midst all good citizens of Whatever nation
atty creed.
just read in to-day's Enquirer an article
stating that / had placed extra officers in
colored districts in anticipation of trouble.
The whole article is false. No extra Off
GERS are used and none were needed. We
have no negro districts The colored people
here are employed in families in different
parts of tho city -
In a subsequent letter to the Governor
Mayor Finch says: "Since mailing a letter
to you on this date in regard TO the reports
of the me tropolitan daiies that the colored
people were being driven out of this city.
the correspondent has been to see me and
begs that do not take the matter up with
his paper but let him make the retraction.
I have agreed to this, with the understand
ing that he submit the article to me before
sending il to the paper. The correction
must be full and complete