The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-23
PRISON DOORS FORGET

PRISON DOORS FORCED.
The story OF his confession spread
through the city. Large crowds gathered
about the city prison last night at 1880
O'Clock and forced In the doors. To satisfy
the mob. the officers suggested that
comittee of six be appointed to search all
the cells and go through every part OF the
building.
This was done and as the negro was
not found a yell was made. Now for the
county bail Give us the ngger and We
will deal With him."
A mad rush, followed for the jail and
soon the jail Was In the hands OF the
mob. After soiffE through the private
apartments of the JAIL the crowd start
ed to batter down the big iron doors.
Deputy Sheriff Stone stood in front OF
the prison doors and made a speech. He
informed the crowd that Peck had been
removed from the city to Cleveland. He
advised them to select committee. and
said ne would allow the committee to
search the Jail.
A COMMITTEES was quickly selected and
the jail was searched. every cell being ex-
amined.
THE COURT HOUSE sToRMED.
Satisfied that the negro was not there.
and forced open the doors of the county
court house, where all the rooms were
searched except the treasury department.
A start was made TO tear of the iron
doors OF the treasury department. but
this was abandoned, and thousands OF
men and boys rushed back TO the city
prison crying for the blood OF Peck. The
city prison was again surrounded. Hun
dreds Of people forced their way into the
e<.. AZ I'M OF IN
Peck was there.
Mayor w. r. Young at this time ap-
peared at one of the windows In the up
per part of the building and addressed
the mob, saying that Peck had been taxi
en- out of the prison at o'clock by
Sheriff, Kelley and driven out of the city
in a closed carriage. The people in the
mob would not believe the mayor, and
continued to yell and demand that Peck
be surrendered.
GUNS COME INTO USE.
At 10 o'clock the mob began for the
third time to attack the city prison
Someone in the crowd began shooting
at the building.
This was followed by several more
shots. The officers appeared at the win
dows, and began to shoot over the heads
of the people. A man with a shotgun fired
at the officers. and the firing became
general
Mayor Young was yet in the building
and directed a call for the militia. All
the ambriIances of the city were called
out, and the excitement soon became in
tense At lo:45 p. m, Prisonkeeper John
II. Washer came from the city building
He was knocked down by a brick. and
was badly injured about the head, and
had to receive medical attendance.
THE TORCH APPLIED.
Shortly after midnight the mob broke
into a hardware store and stole all the
firearms and ammunition they could
find. including guns, rifles and revolv-
ers, and proceeded 20 the city building,
and opened fire on the defenders, and
finally set fire TO the Columbia Hall.
which adjoins the city building. Later
the city building was set on fire.
ALL RECORDS LOST.
The building was entirely destroyed
with the result that the city has lost all
the records of the city clerk and also
the records of the city engineer.
City Engineer Payne said that the loss
I'm his department will be fully half n
million.It was feared more trouble would
follow as threats were made against May
or Young and Chief Of Police Harrison.
The mob spent Its fury during the hours
of darkness. however, and by daybreak
"a had melted away.
Guards are now strung along Main
street TO keep back the crowds OF curl
osify seekers.
The excitement has calmed down ani
the people OF Akron are ruefully contem-
plating tho smoldering evidences of the
wild fury OF the mob
II is not likely there will be further
trouble.
Only fan1e-scarred walls remain OF the
City hall and great heaps OF ashes mark
the site OF Columbia Hall which stood
next 70 the City buildins.
Fire completed the havoc wrought by
dynamite at the City hall.
Groups Of firemen are pouring water m
20 the smouldering ruins.
Chief of Police Harrison Is reported rs
insane over the awful event Of last night.