The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-27
LOOKED AWHILE LIKE A RIOT.
NEGROES ATTACKED POLICE AND
THEIR DEPUTIES IN FRoGFowN.

Attempt to Arrest Party of Disor-
derby Men in n House on Little
Jones Street Nearly Resulted in 81
General Set-to-Patrolman Um-
bach's Life Threatened-Ed walsh,
Who Was Aiding the officer Sc
vereIy Clubbed-In Self Defense He
Shot Ben. Rezin.
What threatened at one time to become
full-fedged riot started yesterday after
noon at Little Jones and Purse streets.
In response to a telephone call for
policeman at Jones and West Broad. Of
ficer Umbach went out on his wheel Four
negroes had badly beaten and abused an
other negro, Willie Scott They had taken
his pistol from him and after abusing
him to their hearts content had attempted
10 shoot him. Scott got away, and his
tormentors went 20 the house of Cicero
Watson, one of their number, who lives
on Little Jones street. near Purse. When
Officer Umbach arrived at West Broad
street he was told where the negroes were
by a young white man, Ed. Walsh, who
lives in the neighborhood and whom the
officer asked TO go with him and assist
in the arrest. officer B. w Williams, who
was met on the way also Joined the arrest
ing party. When the house was reached
Umbach stood at the front door and sent
Williams around TO the rear TO cut off
retreat in that direction, but owing 10 the
devious alleys and lanes in the vicinity
it was some time before Williams could
lind his way to his post and meantime the
negroes becoming aware of the presence
of the officers were making preparations
to escape.
Umbach raped on the door and ar
rested Watson, who answered the knock.
Two of the inmates made their escape
over the fence of the yard, and TO pre-
vent the third from doing likewise, Welsh
was sent down a narrow alley on the side
of the fence Here a crowd of negroes
were hemmed in and began to make
threats against both Walsh and Umbach.
Walsh forced his way out of the alley,
not without receiving several blows, and
got within reach of Umbach and his pris-
oner just in time TO see Ben Rezen head
ing party bent on the rescue of Wat
son. Rezen had pistol pointed at UNI
bach and would undoubtedly have shot
him if Walsh had not clinched with the
negro. The crowd that had been hurry
ing to the rescue of Watson now turned
Its attention to Walsh. He received
heavy blow on the back from what was
evidently a club, and as Ben Rezen was
making desperate efforts 10 shoot him he
was forced TO shoot ReZen In selt-defenSe.
He was none too soon. for in a minute his
pistol was sent flying from his hand by
a heavy blow on the wrist and he was
forced to jump a fence and escape. to an
other street or he would have been rough
ly handled Meantime, Williams had come
up and with his aid both Rezen and Wat
son were taken to the box and the patrol
summoned.
Rezens wound was dressed by Dr. Levi,
who did not consider it of much conse,
quence, and later in the evening, when
he was released on bond he was able 20
walk from his cell to the wagon in
which he was taken home Watson was
also let out on bond. Walsh. who had
been arrested shortly after the negroes
were brought in, was also released.
Walsh is thoroughly familiar with the
neighborhood where the row occurred and
has been Of great assistance to number
of policemen VINO have had trouble in
that vicinity. .s5r.''.