The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-18
HOT SPRINGS TRAGEDY
GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS AT THE
SCENE OF THE STREET RIOT.
sherfn williams and Others Charged
with Murder-TOler, One of the Vic
tins, a Noted Character.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark, March 1.-THE day
after the battle has been one of great ex-
element at Hot Springs. While there has
been no renewal of the bloody scenes of yes
terday and while a strong effort is being
made to prevent further slaughter, there is
an undercurrent of anxiety and excitement
and ominous forebodings of trouble ahead
Many persons who know the men involved
in the feud are fearful that permanent peace
will not be restored until all the leaders of
the two factions have shed their blood. One
hundred and fifty special policemen, heavily
armed, have patrolled the streets all day
and with the excitement at it's present pitch
one pistol shot would be enough to precipi-
tate another riot which in the opinion Of
those well posted on conditions existing here.
would overshadow in results the awful trag-
edy OF yesterday afternoon. The better ele-
ment of the citizens, however, are very de-
termined that no more riOting shall occur and
they we'll prepared for any emergency
Governor Jones was here to-day and his
presence had a good effect. The members of
the Legislature from this city came over
from Little Rock this afternoon at the urg-
ent solicitation of citizens who felt that
their influence and presence here was i'm
peratively demanded at this crisis From
the best information obtainabe it appears
that the riot unQuestonably grew out of
politics.
There are many conflicting reports as to
the cause Of yesterdays riot. One report is
that the hot municipal campaign now going
on is responsible for the affair, and this is
considered the correct version. as the Dem
ocratic party has. for some years, been di-
vided in municipal affairs. Sheriff Williams
was elected at the late election as an indie
pendent candidate, in opposition to the reg
ular Democratic nominee. and has since
been looked on as the head of a very strong
faction in local politics. Williams is one of
the best known public men in Arkansas. He
mas served previous term as sheriff and
was at one time mayor of Hot Springs.
Chief of Police Thomas c. ToIer, one of
the slain, was a man of great courage. He
was absolutely fearless of danger He had
lived In Hot Springs about twenty-five
years and had a somewhat stormy career.
He frequently served as chief of police. A
dozen years ago he made Wyatt Earn. a
famous Western character, walk out of Hot
Springs. Another time Toler had some
trouble with Ed Howell, a gambler Howell
threatened 10 kill Toler and started out with
double-barreled shotgun for that purpose
He stopped in a saloon and placed his shot
gun against the counter About that time
Toler walked in. seized the gun and shot
Howell dead. He was acquitted in the
courts.
James Z. Hart. another of the dead had
been connected with the Hot Springs police
department off and on for many years He
was chief OF police from 1857 TO 1889. dur
ing the prohibition here, when blind
tigers were in evidence, and they We're
stormy days. Thomas l.. GOslee. who also