The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-27
RACE WAR AT TOPEKA.
Negroes and Whites Have SIashIns
Christmas Time on Kansas Ave,

Christmas Time on Kansas Ave.
Topeka. Kan. Dec. 26.-A race war was
fought on Kansas avenue yesterday af-
ternoon, between and clock, and It
is still an open question whether the ne
groes or the whites were the victors. In
all, five arrests were made but only
four were successfully taken TO the po-
lice station. Smoke Williams. white
man, was the one who sidestepped the
police. and &c was able to do this by
some rapid footwork.
It is not exactly known what the cause
of the trouble was. but It is thought hard
names, together with Christmas ceiebra-
ton. were the direct causes. The fight
was divided into two parts. The first one
started in front of the Royal billiard hall
and was over before many people could
get there. In this one, W L. Friend. a
white man. was cut in the side with q
knife. He was arrested and taken to
the police station. where the wound was
examined and found TO be only a slash
ing cut and by no means severe. Friend
says that y. Z. Austin, one of the ne
groes. is the one who cut him, but there
are a number Of witnesses who are sure
that ne is mistaken, and assert that the
man who did the cutting was not cap
tured In this fight there were some six
or eight participants. a sewing machine
which was sitting IN front of Babcock &
FTosts was broken in pieces for use as
weapons. officer Smith arrived on the
scene Of conflict at this time, and he was
followed by three other officers. They
were able 70 Quell the disturbance, and
made but three arrests-Friend, Austin
and John Thomas. who was thought 1t
first TO have been the one who did the
cutting.
Nearly 800 persons had arrived by this
time, and most of them were disappointed
that they had not arrived sooner. as Vhsy
had not seen much OF the fight. At this
juncture the negro population started
new disturbance. They began a war
of determination among themselves. Walt.
Atkinson and another little negro had
trouble IN front of the Royal billiard
hall. They called each other hard names
and began a running fight down Kansas
avenue. AZ the corner OF Seventh they
turned of and ran behind the National
hotel, where q number CT others Joined
in The police IN the meantime were on
the qui vive. and what amounted 20 a
riot cali was sent IN 20 the station.
This took nearly all OF the police there
Chief Stahl showed NJ az this time. and
he. too. took hand. The fighters wers
separated and Atkinson and Smoke WI
liams were arrested. The officers. how
ever. did not recognize Williams. who
was covered with mud az the man with
whom they had had trouble before. and
supposing he was but a common drunk
gave Hutton the officer who was de-
tailed 30 take him % tho station. TO tip.
He took his prisoner by the arm and
had gone orly few hundred feet. when
Williams turned to him ard said ''YoI
nce6n hold me- m al right Hrttoa
released his hold on the mans arm bur
he had no more than done 80 when WI
Iiarne took or down toe street as fast as
hc conld run Hutton was cncurnb eresi
ui.h his overcoat. ard besides al net
rars The wind which Williams had VIII
iiarns vas by far TIE faster runner cs
the two. however. and when he came -
The alley between Van Buren, and Jackaou
he lodged in fhere. and Ehe7 Hutton ~
rived. putting and slowing. Dis nan was
not ia sight
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