Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-07-15
KILLED In RACE RIOT.
SEVEN PERSONS SHOT DOWN AT
EVANSVILLE, IND.
Armed Mob Charges Militia or Guard
at Jail and Battle Ensues-T Twenty
Badly wonndeiM Murder By Negro
tina Cause.

The race war at Evansville Ind, Se
suited shortly before midnight Monday
il. a battle between a mob and State
soldiers, in which seven persons were
shot dead and at least twenty wounded.
The troops fred into a crowd cf 1000 or
more persons who were making an attack
on the jail. Several persons who were
struck b. the soldiers hnllets were only
spectators Of the riot. one Of those killed
being d girl. The fatal battle followed
-four days Of rioting that grew ont Of the
murder Of Policeman Massey by Lee
Brown, negro.
-Four members of Company a, First
regiment. were shot oae through the
shoulder. another through the ankle and
the other two received slight scratches
Two deputy sheriffs were slightly wound
ed
Company 4 OF the First Indiana regi-
ment, under Capt. ]. e. Blum, had been
guarding the jail all day, while mob
stood about reviling the State troops
Monday night the mob grew more men
acing and ut 10 o'clock it was seen that
nothing could prevent an assault on the
jail Slowly the mob forced the militia
men Back toward the Jail. until the alley
way between Division street and the
stone building was reached.
Then the leaders. with bicycle IN
front as a shield against the bayonets OF
the soldiers, attempted TO enter the alie5
end storm the alieyway entrance.
Orders Charge on Mob.
Capt. Blum of the National Guard orr
dered a charge on the rioters Gradu-
ally the crowd was forced back, the sol
diers using their bayonets and butts OF
guns Suddenly a rioter fell. A soldier
tried to drag him to his feet, but before
he could be was assaulted by rioter.
Stones and powders began TO fly
through the air. A soldier was struck
with a stone and fell. A rioter was
knocked down with a gun butt and then
shot was fired. The one shot started a
fusillade of musketry and shotgun fire
from the defenders of the jail and
scattered return fire from the rioters.
Fully 800 shots were fred from the jail
windows, the court house steps immedi-
ately opposite and BY the soldiers on the
streets.
The soldiers claim the rioters fired the
first shot. The soldiers and deputies
fred into the retreating mob Of men,
who ran into Division street, falling, cry
ing and praying For fifteen minutes the
firing continued, then 1t ceased. The mob
was gone and the soldiers held the place.
In front of tte staggering band of nifty
eight soldiers lay the dead and wounded.
On the jail steps stood Sheriff kratz
At his side was Col Mccoy of the First
regiment. Around them stood few doc
tors.
Orders Troops TO Shoot Mob.
When the firing lad ceased Capt.
Blum reformed his men and gave them
orders.
keen that mob back. call on them to
halt; If they don't halt shoot them Gown.
/ We can't take any more chances Men,
be careful. but for Gods sake keep a
/ close watch" shouted the captain. His
men prepared for another struggle. It
| did not come. The rioters got ont of
sight quickly and. fearing that another
charge would be made, scattered.
Prisoners in Terror.
During the strife forty-five prisoners
/ IN the jail lay pale and nervous with
/ fright. Sixteen of them were negroes,
| who knew their lives would pay the price
| of the mob's insatiate wish for some sac
rifice should the Jail guard give way.
Lights were blown or turned out when
I the real war began and the great bulld-
| ing was in complete darkness. After the
1 trouble had blown over most Of the ter
ror-stricken prisoners fell on their knees
| in prayer The colored prisoners shouted
| forth their gratitude to Providence ~
psalms and prayer.