The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-29
QUIET AT NEW ORLEANS.
Burning of the Thomy Lafon School
Universally Regretted.

NEW ORLEANS. July 2S.-All has been
quiet here today. The special police and
militia to the number OF nearly 5000 Will
be kept on duty at least until Monday,
when it is thought the excitement will be
over for the present The killing OF
Charles. the negro desperate, did great
deal toward clearing the atmosphere 1t
would have required the militia to keep or
der for several weeks had not Charles been
caught or otherwise disposed of.
The negroes appeared in large numbers
on the street today and were unmolested
save an old woman charged with incen-
diary talk. who was stoned and beaten by
a mob of boys. The story was circulated
today that the man killed by the mob yes
terday was not Charles and this produced
a bad effect, for nothing has done more
to quiet the public excitement than the
belief that the murderer was dead. A
thorough investigation was made, which
left no doubt that It was Charles who was
killed.
According to Martha Jackson. Charles
came to her house Thursday morning. His
whereabouts between Tuesday. when the
first shooting occurred, and Thursday is
not known. The Jackson woman concealed
him in a small pantry three keet by six,
where he remained that day and the next.
Here Charles lay until the officers entered
the alley. when. suspecting their purpose,
he seized his rife and opened fire.
Silas Jackson. husband of the woman,
swears that he did not know that Charles
was in the house. and so do all the other
negroes. and their story is probably true.
Among those dwelling in the building or
the building opposite to which they fled,
are Silas and Martha Jackson who leased
the house and sub-rented to the other ne
groes, George Ford, who was found wound
ed. under a bed: John Madsen, who had
hidden between two mattresses; John
Wills. who had clad himself in woman's
clothing TO avoid the mob, and Anna Cant
and John Sellers.
Charges of murder were made against
all these persons today. the police hold
ing that they were engaged in the firing
yesterday. There is no reason to believe
this, however. All the men killed or
wounded were shot by Winchester rifle,
and Charles alone in the building had
such rife, and his bullets were of his
own make, so that there can be no doubt
as to them.
Tho grand jury will also investigate
Wednesdays riot and indict all those en-
gagged in attacking beating. and maltreat-
ing negroes Perhaps nothing has grieved
the better class of the negroes more than
the burning of the Lafon School this
morning. 1t was handsome building. IS
handsome as any white school in New o.
leans. and also the pride Of the negro dis
trict
Thomy Lafon. after whom the school
was named. was admired by whites as well
as negroes. He left his entire fortune,
$500, coo or S70o. 600 to charity partly to
the Charity Hospital. and established
home for aged colored people and one for
whites and gave the money to build this
school. As recognition Of his service his
bust was placed in the State capitol at
Baton Rouge. the only memento Of negro
in that building.
No one anticipated an attack on the
school, and IL was not protected When
the mob came there the neighborhood was
entirely deserted. as the negroes were shut
in their houses. There was no difficulty in
setting FIRE to the building and no one TO
stop the flames. The mob which did the
work was a small one and gave as an ex-
cuse for burning the building that the ne
groes had stored arms there and contem-
plated a raid on the whites. The story IS
preposterous This morning large crowd
of negroes stood before the burned build
ing, depressed and heartbroken.
Mayor Capdeveille is highly praised for
his action. which prevented the affair from
being far more serious than IL was The
police were perfectly helpless The killing
OF Day and others, and the cowardice dis
played by the other police engaged in the
first two conflicts. demoralized the entire
force.
Mayor Capdeveille issued a proclamation
today closing the barrocms from p. m.
until Monday morning. thus putting the
Sunday law in operation for the first time
in many years. The heavy penalties in
ficted on those barrooms which were open
yesterday against the mayors orders vii!
probably have the effect Of keeping them
closed tomorrow. The police are very un-
popular, as the present trouble is attrib-
uted TO the cowardice of the officers who
failed 10 capture Charles when Day was
killed. and they were frequently hooted
yesterday 1t is probable that there will
be some reorganization. The chief Of po-
lice was applied to today by the coloFed
ministers for police protection during the
church services tomorrow A squad of
police viii be stationed at every church.
Sua no services will be allowed
Three more persons wounded by Charles
have turEed up toda". Henry Davis. Abe
williams. ard John Do.an. Charles yes
terday killed i've. fatally wounded TWO and
seriously wognded seven. making fourteen
- 81 hars & Gozen more received
H-,is-Ls aot serious enough 10 report.