The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-21
SACK A CHURCH.
Paris Anarchists Clash With
the Police.
Fifty six Persons Injured Dur
ing the RiOting.
STATUE OF VIRGIN
Torn Down and Figure Of the
Savior Destroyed.
Furniture Carried Out and Set
on Fire.

Paris, Aug 21-Paris was yesterday
the scene of most serious disturbances,
recalling some of the aspects Of the
commune. Anarchists and socialists
attempted a demonstration, and came
into sharp conflict with the police.
They also sacked the Church of st. JOS
eph, completely wrecking the interior.
Up to midnight ffty-six persons have
been reported injured, including several
policemen. No one, as far as known,
was injured by firearms. Nearly all
were hurt by being crushed or trOdden
under foot. a body OF rioters who had
taken refuge in the courtyard of the
Care de PEste was expelled by the po-
lice, who made twenty-five arrests.
Quiet was restored shortly after mid
night.
In response to an appeal of the jour
nails lie Peuple and La Petite Repub-
Hque, groups of anarchists and social
lists gathered about 3 o'clock in the af-
ternOOn in the Place de la Republique.
The police had taken precautions. and
there seemed no danger of disorders.
POLICE INTERFERE.
Sebastian Faure and Faberot, we'll
known revolutionary anarchists, We're
the ringleaders. Faure, standing on
the pedestal of the statue which rises
in the center of the Place de La Re
publiQue, addressed the crowd Among
other things, he said that the anarch-
lists should be masters of the streets.
The police then interfered and dis
lodged Faure and Faberot, making
three arrests. The crowd at this point
dispersed, but a column of demonstra-
tors, headed by Faure and Henri
d'Horr, made for the Place de la Ma
ton.
The police broke through the column,
and a struggle for the mastery follow
ed. Shots were fired and NJ. Coulter,
commissary of police, was stabbed
twice with a knife.
This threw the police into momenta-
ry confusion. The mob reassembled and
ran toward the Place de la Nation. The
police, reinforced by a squad that had
been held in reserve, made another at
tempt to stem the current, and fresh,
fierce fighting occurred, three consta-
bleS being wounded.
In the meantime, the anarchist mob
Republique, smashing the windows of
religious edifces on the way.
SMASH CHURCH WINDOWS.
Suddenly, either at the word of COM
mand or in obedience to impulse, the
column made a loop and curved toward
the church OF st. Ambrose, where the
rioters smashed the windows.
Proceeding thence toward the Fau-
borg du Temple, at the corner of the
Rue Darboy and the Rue St. MaUri-
PopincOurt, they formed into a COM
pact body. Hatchets were suddenly
produced with long knives stolen from
the counters of shops and a concerted
rush was made upon the Church of st.
Joseph. The aged sacriStan, seeing the
mob, hastily closed the outer gates.
but these were soon forced with hatch
cts and bars of iron. The massive oak
en- doors were then attacked.
The wild horde burst into the church.
which instantly became a scene of pill
lage and sacrilege. Affairs were hurled
to the floor and smashed; pictures were
rent, candlesticks, ornaments and hosts
from high affairs were thrown down
and trampled under foot; the crucifiX
above was made the target for mis-
siles, and the figure of the Savior was
fractured in several places.
Then, while rancOrous voices sang
the "Carmagnole, the chairs were car
ried outside, piled up and set on fire
in the center of the square fronting the
church.
CRUCIFIX PULLED DOWN.
When this stage was reached the cru
cifix was pulled down and thrown into
the flames. Suddenly the cry was rails
ed that the statue of the Virgin had
been forgotten and the crowd returned
and tore this down also.
Meanwhile, the Sacristan, who had
been captured by the anarchists, es-
capped and called the police and repub-
lcan guards, who promptly arrived
with many constabIes. They were COM
PEELED to fall back in order to form I'D
into line of defense, as the anarchists
attacked them fearfully with knives.
At length the officers began to gain
the mastery. A score of anarchists
took refuge in an adjacent house. 9th
ers entrenched themselves in the bel
Try ana uercely QeIended themselves
by showering missiles on the republic
can guards. but finally these were dis
lodged. Twenty anarchists were ar
rested, taken to the police station,
searched and found to be carrying re-
wolves, loaded sticks and knives.
SET FIRE TO PULPIT.
When the police entered the church,
the anarchists had just set fire to the
pulpit The interior of the edif1ce was
a complete wreck. Several valuable old
pictures that can never be replaced