The sun., 1898-11-19
A NIGHT BATTLE AT PANA.
nor FIRING BETWEEN NEGROES AND
STRIRTNG MINERS.

Soldiers Fire the Combatnnts-Ths
Battle Followed tho shooting OF Deputy
Sheriff watts, from Ambush-He May Die
| PANA, Ill. Nov. 1S.-The m ost serious shooting
| ahray that has occurred during the entire trou-
ble since the arrival OF tho Alabama neproes
| took place tonight. when Deputy Sheriff Sid
| ney Watts was shot from ambush aud probably
| MORALLY wounded.
| Riotng followed shortly after this and
| soon became general. Shots were fired from
every direction. Rifles flashed from windows
| In the houses and alleys. from behind trees and
| on the street walks.
Az IL O'Clock comparative quiet was restored
! by the troops. The effect of the shooting is
| not yet known. but It is almost certain that
many persons were wounded
Deputy Sheriff Waits is Sheriff Ira Coburn's
| chief man here. In doing his duty he incurred
the enmity OF both sides
Shortly after g o'clock Watts In company
| with one OF the Overholts. started for the
| Springdae Mine to serve some papers. the cx-
| act nature Of which has not been revealed 1t
| is believed. however. that il was his intention
| to deputiZe more negroes
Watts and Overhot were riding in o
buggy. and had gone less than 200 yards
| from the Illinois Central Station. when they
reached dark place in the street near
| the Baltimore and Ohio crossing, and there
| was n report OF gun. and Watts fell over in
the buggy, exclaimlnR: Pm shot" But one
shot was fired. 1t came from behind and
| struck Watts in the right side, near the heart
The bullet passed through his body. struck
the bone of his right arm. and shattered this
completely for three inches.
The shooting occurred only short distance
from the spot where Troop B. First Cavalry. il
barricaded. The report OF the gun quickly
brought out detail OF men. A search was
| made. but the would be murderer had made
his escape.
Watts was conveyed to DIR. Millers office,
where it was found necessary to amputate his
right arm just below the shoulder. He
was very weak from the loss of blood
which. together with the pain from the
amputation-he refused to take opiates-leaves
his life hanging in the balance. The attend
ing physicians express small hope for his re-
covery. Watts's home is at Taylorville, Ill.,
He is a powerful young fellow about 80 years
of age.
Shortly after the shooting OF Watts firing
was heard in the direction OF tho Sprngsde
Nine which is about milo away from the
business part OF the town.
The troops did not go out there tonight
fearing that the shooting was only a ruse to
get them to leave small guard in charge Of
the Gatlne gun.
III iCsS tidl ui ultSE Inc bnOOI-
ing of Watts. the scenes OF last night
were being repeated. Last night 500 shots
were fired tonight there were over 1900
The shooting became general through
out the eastern part OF the town in
short time. The few people who were upon
the streets quickly sought shelter in the stores
and hotels. At II O'Clock the crowds had dis
persed.
As far as can be learned no one was killed
t,,A 10 a., I,ot 1T, NH
principal fighting was done at the schoolhouse.
which is located in the residence portion
OF the city. and within half mile OF the
business portion. At this point the negroes
from Springside were engaged by a body OF
white miners who are among the strikers The
negroes were sneaking into the town and were
halted by the whites. The battle ragged In .
few seconds The shooting was at random. and
the bullets were scattered about the town in
all directions. Residences near by were rid
died. ~
People rushed into their cellars for safety. ths
underground retreats being about the safest to
be found. as the weapons used by both sides
are rifles
When the battle started at the schoolhouse a
squad OF Troop b men made a run for the
place They arrived in time to fire two volleys.
BY that time both negroes and whites had
made hasty retreat, the negroes going back to
the stockaue at the Sprlngslde mine, the whites
separating and going away. The firing by the
soldiers was done with little accuracy.
The Rev. Mr.. Snyder OF the Presbyterian
church. who has strongly espoused the
cause OF the strikers. had narrow
escape. He Was going home. when the
battle suddenly opened at the school
house. Mr.. Snyder hid behind tree and from
there managed TO reach the homo of
John Raymond. The Raymond house was
badly damaged by the hail of bullets.
but fortunately none of the members OF
the family was struck. Several bullets also
whizzed through the home Of A. X. Tate. which
is across the street from Raymonds. AS Tate
left his home after supper an attempt was
made to kill him. He was fired upon from the
dark. but the shot went wide of its mark and
he escaped injury.
The soldiers were lying upon the ground
when they fired. and this fact probably saved
the lives OF many. as the troops were fred
upon. it is believed. by both negroes and
whites.
No doubt several persons were injured In to-
nights affair but an Investigation OF the effects
OF battle cannot be made until tomorrow.
Capt. Butler tonight published letter warn
ing the people Of Pana that he will not tolerate
any further disturbances.