The Topeka state journal., 1897-06-26
BLACKS Rule.
Key West in the Hands of the
Negroes.
Tables Are Turned on the White
Lynchers.
A WHITE MAN RISES
In Court and Calls on Whites
to Lynch
A ColOred Outrager-Pande-
mOnium Reigns.
THE NEGROES MUSTER
In Force and White Man Him
self Nearly Lynched.
One White Is Killed and Gov
ernOr BlOXham
Calls on the President for Q. s.
Troops.
A CoIOred Outrager-Pande-
monium Reigns.
THE NEGROES MUSTER
In Force and White Man Him
self Nearly Lynched.
One White Is Killed and Gov
ernOr BIOXham
Calls on the President for Q. S.
Troops.

Washington, June 26.-Late yesterday
afternoon the governor of Florida tel
egraphed President Mckinley that
riot was threatened at Key West, and
asked him that in view of the distance
of Key West from the mainland and the
difficulty in getting state troops to the
scene Of trouble in time to be of any
avail, to instruct the commander OF The
federal troops there to act
The president replied to the governor,
citing the law in the case and asking
for particulars. Secretary Alger tele-
frraphed the commandant of the post at
Key West asking for telegraphic ad-
vices giving the exact situation.
The trouble had arisen from an at
tempt to lynch a negro accused of as
eault upon a white woman. The negro
was given preliminary hearing before
a justice and during the proceedings
man named Pendleton arose in court
and asked If there We're not white men
enough TO lynch the prisoner.
Great excitement ensued, but the
authorities succeeded in landing their
prisoner in Jail. Knots of men gathered
in the streets and threats of lynching
were freely made. Later in the after
noon while Pendleton was passing down
the street he was attacked by mob of
negroes but was rescued unharmed.
This intensified the feeling which ran
high on both sides and fears of race
dot caused the local militia to assem-
bic at their armOry. While they We're
not ordered into service they VOluntar-
lily rema ained under arms at the armOry.
Key West. Fla. June 26--ThiS city
was virtually in the hands of a negro
mob last night and white citizen was
killed by the MOB. At y. m. yesterday
Silvanus Johnson, charged with assault
on a white woman. Mrs Margaret At
well. was conducted to the court house
for a hearing. The court room was
crowded. and c. 3. Pendleton. we'll
known citizen arose and asked: Are
there enough white men present to
hang the negrO2"
There was q chorus of "Ye s" and the
crowd closed in OE the prisoner.
The sheriff and his deputies drew
their reVOlvers and held the crowd at
bay while johnson was at once hurried
back to Jail A mob gathered in front
Of the building and one of the negroes
cried out to lynch PendletOn and rush
was made for him. Through the efforts
Of himself and his friends, Pendleton
made his escape in a carriage.
The negro mob then gathered about
the jail building to prevent the lynch
ing of johnson and open threats We're
made by them to kill any white man
who might come to the jail. About II
q clock last night William Gardiner a
Whlte man, was sitting in front of the
court house, when several of the negro
approached him and ordered him to
move He arose to obey, and as soon
Is his back was turned there rang out
me crack OF number of rifles, and
Gardiner received a mortal wound from
which he died two hours later.
The whites are inclined to aVenge
Gardeners death and an attempt to
lynch Johnson is expected to be made.
A serious conflict between the whites
and the blacks is feared. The militia
As in rea adiness for any disturbance. hay
dHg been ordered out by the governor.
Washington, June 26.-The request of
the governor for the assistance of the
Federal troops was discussed at a con-
ference at the White House last night
There were present besides the presi-
dent. Secretary Alger, Attorney General
McKeuna and Gen. Breck of the army
ne conference lasted until after II
oclcck- Secretary AIger then stated
there had been nothing further received
Dearl[lS On the situation and that in
the abSence of further informant ton, no
actlon had yet been taken on the COVER
Is3nies of artillery and one on, more of
LATER PARTICULARS.
w asnhslo4 June 26--The alarm al
,Ses heg Vest Fia,; over the threatened
precIpitated if the purpose of a moi of |
whites 10 lynch a negro charged vvith
assault was carried out apparently has
subsIded- DELAYED information recei[-1
ed by the secretary of the war from tna
officer in command Of the United States
troops stationed at Key West is to the
effect that there were threats of lynch
4ng but no attempt to carry it out The
negro is stated to be protected by the
sheriff and is safe. There was some
drunken pistol firing and one white man
was shot. The local authorities it is
said took no steps to preserve order.
Washington, June 26-1 p. m.-The
president has received an answer from
Governor BlOXham of Florida stating
that the sheriff at Key West wires This
morning that the contemplated trouble
did not materialize and that everything,
there is quiet and orderly.