The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-26
MOB Law AT KEY WEST.
Attempt to Lynch the Negro
johnson Leads to a Riot.
A CALL FOR U. S. REGULARS.
Gov. Bloxham Tells the President
He Fears a Race War.

The Blacks Control tho Approaches to the San
ana the Armory-The whites In . Minority
shooting ON Roth siaes-one white MAN
Killed, Five Others wounded-Casunities
Among tho Blacks Net Known, as They
Carried On Their wounded-lr Johnson's
Victim Dies. the " hites Say Thoy VIII Lynch
Him = The Biacks Threaten Vengeance.
KEY WEST, Fla, June 25.-This city has been
In the hands of a wildly excited and uproarious
crowd OF negroes for tho past forty-eight hours,
eliminating In the killing Of William Gardiner
last night and the wounding OF five other whites.
Tho trouble arose from tho attempts to lynch
Sylvanus johnson, q negro, who on Wednes-
day assaulted Mrs. Maggie Atwell. o white
woman. When he was taken to court for
trial yesterday, Col. Pendleton, Q leading white
citizen. called out in the courtroom for volun.
teers to lynch johnson. This precipitated q con-
fict between the whites and blacks in the court
room.
When tho sensational scene ct tho trial of
johnson at the court room yesterday afternoon
was over. he was taken back to the Jail. The
negroes followed and a large number posted
themselves around 1t as guards. They would
not allow any one to come near and for q
time it was practically blockaded. Finally.
Sheriff Knight managed TO get inside and he 30
posted his deputies as to command 1t thoroughly.
The Key West Guards were called out in tho
evening, but 1t was found then that the negroes
had blockaded the armory. and the guards could
not get in to secure their arms. The armory is in
the same building as tho Jail, which is in Jack
son square, with no houses nearby, SO the negro
mob held the key to the situation. The guards
met sewhere and armed themselves as well as
possible and joined the other whites In measures
Of defence.
Later in the afternoon an ATTEMPT was made
to mob Col. Pendleton for his share in the at
tempt to lynch johnson. He was waylaid near
his house and several shots were fired at him.
He retrcated into the house, and with some
friends sent back shot for shot until tho negroes
retreatcd. 1t was reported that two were shot
in this encounter. as the negroes were seen to
carry off several of their number.
An immense crowd gathered at the jail square.
The blacks were in q fighting mood, and they
swore TO clean out the whites II Johnson was in
iur.a. They fo-7rcd tbsueelves into companies
and paraded around the Jail and up and down
some Of the streets. The whites were fairly
armed by this time. but being in such a minority
they could do nothing but wait and watch.
About midnight a party Of fifty went Town to
the Jail TO try TO get into the armory. Tho ne
groes ordered them to halt, and as they did not
obey opened fire. This the whites Instantly re-
turned. and for several minutes the firing was
general and there was a scattering for shelter.
The whites were outnumbered.
William Gardiner was killed and i've other
whites wounded. only one severely. The whites
then retreated. The blacks followed them for a
short distance and then returned to the Jail.
They must have lost at leaet ten men, as many
were seen to fall and groans were heard by tho
deputies in the Jail. but no bodies have been
found.
Later on firing was again begun by some
whites, who attempted to stampede the negroes
on guard, but tho latter were well armed and
replied so sharply that their assailants soon fed.
Al through the night the firing was kept up.
The streets are filled with excited men. most
Of the whites being at the upper end OF town
two batteries of United States troops here.
Sheriff Knight asked Gov. Bloxham this
afternoon for aid and to call on the War De-
bartment TO order out the regulars. The Tampa
troops could not be gotten here for thirty-six
fours, and If the negroes knew that they had
been ordered they would, 1t 10 feared. force a
collision before they came.
The Sheriff has sworn in q force of seventy.
fve men. but their authority Is little respected.
p respected. Tho whites are inoensed over the
killing Of Gardner, whilo the negroes threaten
vengeance II any attempt Is made to lynch
johnson, and this the whites swear will be done
Mrs. Atwell is very low tonight. She is In a
Delicate situation and the shock and rough
treatment may occasion her death. II SO. the
whites say Johnson will be iynched IL 1t takes
every man on the Island to do IL.