The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-27
WOLCOTT KISSED DOWN.
Started Riot at Cripple Greek by Hav-
ing Bryan Banner Torn Down.

St Louis, Sept. 27@The Globe Demo-
crat special from Victor gives the fol-
lowing account of the political riot at
the Roosevelt meeting:
The Roosevelt meeting at this place
was almost a riot. 1t broke up in q
fierce fight on the Streets in which sew
welt was hit and narrowly escaped a
crowd of angry men. Senator Wolcott
was Kissed from the stage, and the i'm
mense public meeting in Armory hall
broke up in disorder.
The train reached Victor at o'clock
Thousands lined the tracks and Bryan
banners were many. Before the occu-
pants of the long special could alight
Senator Wolcott had pointed out one of
the offending banners, and it was torn
down. This precipitated trouble almost
Immediately, but the density of the
crowd, in which figures were dinly
silhouetted succeeded in confusing the
combatants. Then, to thunderous cries
for Bryan, the rough riders arranged
themselves under Lieutenant Sherman
Bell Forming in line they marched be-
hind the flambeau drum corps of Den
yer to the Armory hall on Diamond ave-
nue..
Two women in the thick of the crowd
seized a Bryan banner, a large sheet of
paper bearing the words, Bryan, 16 to
L. and marched with it in front OF the
rough riders. Carriages were surround
ed by the guard, and in these were the
party, Governor Roosevelt, Senator
WClCOLL, "A. M. stevenson ana OlncfS DS-
ing in the first. Armory hall was pack
ed to the doors. Senator Wolcott had
scarcely begun to speak when trouble
began. He introduced Governor Roose-
welt, and the curiosity of the audience
kept the $500 people in the hall quiet
while he spoke.
Then the cheers for Bryan broke loose.
"Hurrah for Bryant broke in voice
1t was taken up inside and outside the
building. 1t was continued and hearty.
The Republican contingent began cheer
ing and the opposition vainly endeavor-
ed to drown it out
Evidently, gentlemen, continued
Roosevelt, when the crowd had cheered
itself out the gentlemen who started
the cheering of Bryan was afraid of my
question and the answer sixteen to
one was the cry. "One hundred and
sixteen to one that you don't elect your
man. shouted the thoroughly exaspera-
ted Senator Wolcott. Just word, just
a word. Do you war to be written up
all over the world as diScourteous to q
distinguished guest within your gate?"
Each succeeding speaker was inter-
rupted by violent outbreaks and each
was Kissed off the stage. Finally Sena-
tor Wolcott was compelled to quit, and
the visitors prepared to retreat. The
crowd damned through the doors.
On Nevada avenue as the crowd surg
ed out a large number of young men
with black coats on which was chalked
10 to l." and Bryan banners became
entangled and rocks began to fly. The
mob surrounded Roosevelt as he started
for the train. His personal escort of
rough riders surrounded him, as did his
friends.
A number of men with Bryan signs
broke through the body guard, pushed
Curtis Guild, Jr., aside, and with the
evident intention of showing the sign in
Roosevelt's face, threw it toward him.
The handle hit the governor with great
force in the chest, knocking him back,
but rot down. He was caught by Mr..
Guild, while a rough rider knocked the
offending Bryanite down. breaking two
teeth
The melee was general in the deepen
ing darkness Lyman White, mining
man of Victor, seized q man who was
prominent in the fracas and took away
a BRYAN banner. A number surrounded
him and several were knocked down.
Gov. Roosevelt was hurried along to the
train by his guard. The crowd, enraged
at the manner of the rough riders, tried
to pull the governors escort off their
horses Charles Lenhorn, a member OF
the Denver F'lambeau club, was sur
rounded and fighting in a bloody circle,
when Harry Amphlet, formerly of the
First Colorado volunteers dashed in the
crowd on his horse, shouting Don't
touch that mani" He was given rough
treatment but not hurt. Another man
who was in the fight was r. L. Riggs,
of Victor on the reception committee
Several men drew guns but did not use