The San Francisco call., 1897-06-26
One White Man Killed and
Five Others Wounded in
the Struggle.
FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR APPEALS
TO THE GOVERNMENT.
Asks That Regular Troops Be Or
dered Out as State Authorities
Are Helpless.

KEY WEST. FLA, June 25.-This city
has been In the hands of q wildly excited
and uprcarous crowd of negroes the past
forty-eight hours, eliminating in the
killing of William Gardiner last night and
the wounding of five other whites. After
the sensational scene at the trial of John
son in the courtroom, when Colonel
Pendleton arose ana asked if there were
not men enough to lynch the prisoner. he
was taken to Jail. Negroes followed, and
large number posted themselves around
1t as guards. They would not allow any
one to come near, and for a time it was
practically blockaded. Finally Sheriff
knight managed to get inside and he so
posted the deputies as TO command it
thoroughly.
The Key West Guards were called out
in the evening, but it was found then that
the negroes had blockaded the armory,
and the guards could not get in to secure
their arms. The guards met elsewhere
and armed themselves as well as possible
and joined the other whites in measures
OF defense.
made to mob Colonel Pendleton for his
share in the attempt to lynch Johnson.
he was waylaid near his house and sew
eral shots were fred. He retreated into
the house and with some friends sent shot
for shot until the negroes re;reated. 1t
was reported that two were shot in the
encounter, as the negroes were seen to
carry off several of their number.
An immense crowd gathered in the jail
square. The negroes were in a fighting
mood, and they swore to clean out the
whites if Johnson was injured. They
formed themselves into companies and
paraded around the jail. The whites were
fairly armed by this time. but being in
the minority could do nothing but watch
and wait.
At midnight a party of fifty went
down to the jail to try to get into the
armory. The negroes ordered them to
halt. As they refused the negroes fired
This the whites instantly returned. For
several minutes the firing was general.
William Gardiner was killed and five
others were wounded, one severely. The
whites then retreated. The negroes fol-
lowed a short distance and then returned
to the Jail They must have lost about
ten men. as many were seen to fall and
groans were heard By the deputies in the
Jail, but no bodies have been found.
Later on firing was again begun by some
whites, who attempted to stampede the
htfF he Iat
armed and replied so sharply that their
assailants soon fed. All through the
night the firing was kept up. The streets
are filed with excited men, most of the
whites being at the upper END of town and
the negroes down by the Jail. There are
two batteries of United States troops here.
Sheriff knight asked Governor Blpxham
this aftern oon to call on the War Depart
ment to order out the regulars.
The Sheriff has sworn in seventy-fve
deputies, but their authority is little re-
spected. The prospects are grave now
and more rioting is expected. The whites
are incensed over the killing of Gardiner,
while the negroes threaten vengeance if
any attempt is made to lynch Johnson,
which the whites swear will be done.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 25.-The
President to-day received dispatch from
the Governor of Florida stating that he
feared a race war at Key West at any
hour. As it was impossible for him to
get any State militia there before Sunday
the Governor asked the President TO order
out company of regular troops now
stationed at Key West,
Secretary Alger and Attorney General
McKenna were sent for, and they took
the matter under consideration. Florida's
Governor was advised to send more def
mite information. A reply came to- might
that he was reliably informed that an out
break might occur at any moment, and
asking that the regulars be put in readi-
ness to respond to the order of the Mayor.
Alger and McKenna returned to the
White House tonight to await develop
ments. Up to late hour no order had
been issued to the regulars. After look
ing up the law the President and his ad-
visers decided. if the Governor feels conf
dent that the threatened trouble cannot
be avoided without the aid of troops, and
if the State militia cannot reach Key West
in time, that the regulars will be ordered
out. Cabinet officers are still at the
White House waiting for additional ad-
vices from the Governor.
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