The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-30
DRUNKEN SOLDIERS RIOT
POLICE HAVE TROUBLE WITH A
SQUAD OF CAMP MOUNT NEGROES.
Had Been Beating Saloons, and Then
Held Up a PeddIer on Mas
sachusetts Avenue.

A small sized riot occurred at the corner
of Delaware street and Massachusetts ave-
nue. yesterday afternoon shortly after
o'clock, when a crowd of colored soldiers.
laboring under the impression that United
States volunteer can do about as he pleases,
attempted to confiscate a watermelon from
passing peddlers wagon. The police, num-
bering about seven, were opposed by an
equally strong band of soldiers.
yesterday morning about dozen men
from Captain Buckner's company at the
fair grounds came to the city on a pass and
were accompanied by Corporal James 5.
Young. When the men arrived down in
town they were released by the officer with
the understanding that they were to meet
again in the evening at the corner of Penn
sylvania and Washington streets. Six of the
men went off together, while the rest started
off in pairs or singly. The six men, who
were in one body. had by some means be-
come impressed with the idea that soldiers
are exempt from civil law and bore them
selves accordingly. The saloons offered the
most favorable base of operations, and
several were visited, in each case the tel-
lows refusing to pay the bill. Until they
reached Campbelrs West Washington
street saloon all went we'll and their bullying
methods were effective. Here, however, the
bartender objected and attempted to hold
them until the police were called, but they
outnumbered him, and by the time Bicycle
Petrolmen STREET and Schroeder arrived the
men had escaped Again the police were
called to a saloon on Kentucky avenue
where the bartender had had similar ex-
perence.
Then apparently the negroes took rest,
for the police heard nothing of them for
two hours. But they were only waiting for
the final effort which would get them into
serious trouble and bring humiliation upon
them-United States volunteers. Other parts
Of the town had been worked by these
bad soldiers, and Massachusetts avenue
was not to be overlooked. By this time they
were about half drunk, and announced their
approach with loud laughter and shouts.
Then came the temptation in the form OF a
wagonload of watermelons, in charge OF
man named William Fike, who objected Sc
riously to the liberties which they took with
his melons. AS far as could be learned only
one melon passed from the wagon, put tnaI
was enough to start trouble, winch resulted
in the third call or the day 10 SIreit ana
Schroeder to quiet these soldiers. This was
the first time that the policemen had sue
ceeded in catching the fellows, and they old
under arrest and make preparations toward
holding them. 1t was apparent at glance
that two police could not take SIX large coll
ored men. The leader, and the largest man
in the gang, told the policemen that they
were soldiers and that his Uncle sam
would see about it If they dared lay hands
on them. The officers paid no attention TO
the lecture on law, delivered there on the
street corner but proceeded to handcuff the
burly fellow. He objected, and the police
were having Aard time. Schroeder was
almost overcome by several of them, When
assistance arrived. One fellow was clinging
to him and had buried his teeth IN the pa
trolmans coat, over the right breast Little
holes were afterward found in the coat.
SPECTATORS GREW THREATENING.
A large crowd of almost three hundred
men had by this time gathered, and were
indignant at the treatment the policemen
were receiving, but advised the officers not
to use their clubs on the soldiers. The crowd
threatened to lynch the one who had bitten
Schroeder, and the duties of the officers
were multiplied by the efforts they made TO
protect the soldiers, who were by this time
surrounded. Sergeant Scheigert and PATROL
men Rockefeller. Robinson and Richard,
with Detectives Stout and Kinney. soon ar
rived and fought their way to the struggling
soldiers. Two of the fellows made their es-
cape, but the others were marched to the
police station between the detail or offcers
A large crowd Followed, anu nuIHSIo uS
were the opinions expressed. Some declared
that the police had no jurisdiction over the
men, but others said that the officers were
in the right, and were indignant at the as
sumption of the colored men. AT the police
station the men gave their names as fol-
lows: Charles Shepard, Alvin e. Roberts,
Frank Thurman and John Wilson. The last
named had a large stone in his pocket and
was slated for carrying concealed weapons
He declared that he had no hand in the af-
fair at the corner, and explained that he
was carrying the stone to fix" somebody
him. The others were charged with petit
larceny, drunk and resisting an officer. They
were locked up and in half an hour each
had found a soft place in the cement floor
of the corridor in the cellroom, and was
sound asleep.
Superintendent Quigley says the men will
be tried in Police Court the same as civil
ians. The officers at the fair grounds have
been notified, but it is believed that the civil
law will take its course.