Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-05-23
ABILENE WEEKLY REFLECTOR ABILENE MNsAs MAY 2 TWELVE PAGES

Walsh, a merchant, and Leroy Smith
a merchant, both shot by nationa
guardsmen, and William Marshall, ,
non-union motorman, skull fractured
Others most seriously injured are
George Booze, citizen, cheek ripped
open by bayonet; William Rooney
citizen, shot by national guard, ani
Gilbert Hall, non-union motorman
shot by mob. The bloodshed CAME
after day Of peace. From early
morning the crowds had melted away
before bayonets and shotguns, cars
had been operated under heavy
guards and there was an impression
that the spirit of turbulence was
waning. There had been some minor
demonstrations particularly in North
Albany, but not shot had been fired
and as the day passed the running Of
cars attracted but little attention.
The volley fired on Broadway by a
squad of Twenty-third infantrymen,
In which Leroy Smith and William
Walsh, well known citizens, fell NOR
tally wounded, changed all that. II
stirred anew the feeling Of hatred as
the exciting tidings swept through
the city and the guardsmen were BIT
terly denounced. Neither of the men
had been guilty of an offense, but
were caught in crowd, some mem
bers of which had stoned the guards
men and, by mischance, were hit.
The disturbance was not serious
one and murder is the title applied
by inAamed public sentiment to the
shooting. The guardsmen seem but
to have followed their duty as SOL
diers, for they were under orders to
shoot If assaulted.
The bright prospect Of settlement
Of the strike has not served to allay
the growth Of vindictive feeling and,
II the present situation continues.
acts Of bitter revenge and violence
may be expected. II was on the last
run of the soldiers on the cars that
the tragedy of the day occurred. The
cars were on Broadway moving north
ward and constantly swelling crowd
was gathered about the Union depot.
The first Of the work-day folk had
been released by the whistles that
sounded through the manufacturing
district and they were pouring into
the crowd. Near Columbia street
truck blocked the way Of a car and,
urged on by the crowd, the driver re-
fused to move on as speedily as de-
sired. Some one in the crowd threw
n stone but 1t went wide of its mark.
The crowd was noisy and there was
much confusion. The car finally
moved forward into The next block
and another stone was hurled at II.
There was n sharp command and as
the car slowed down four shots were
fired from It. Leroy Smith lounged
on the steps OF his store; William
Walsh, his business neighbor from
across the street, was his immediate
companion, and small crowd hung
about near them. IT was into this
crowd that the guardsmen fired at a
range of less than 20 feet. Smith and
Walsh were both shot in the abdomen
and fell where they stood A third |
man. William Rooney, was slightly |
hurt by glancing bullet. The star
tied crowd fell back at the first shot |
and n moment later the guards sprang
aboard the car and were rapidly
wheeled from the scene Smith and
Walsh were hurried away to hospitals
for surgical care and an angry crowd
swarmed in the street TO curse and
1cnounce the guardsmcn. Smith is
Of the shoe manufacturing
irm of Smith & Eerrick, and a citizen
VI wealth, responsibility and promi-
renee. lie is member of the Albany
'lub and whist expert of national
lie is 50 years of age
md has family. Walsh is the head
If n plumbing house and well known
n business circles. Neither men had
my part other than as spectators in
he demonstration that provoked the
hooting.
The remainder of the cars made
he run to North Albany and back
Without trouble and when they
cached Quail street barn were housed
or the night,
When the cars were all in the
,uards in the street were recalled.