The Scranton chronicle., 1903-08-01
TROOPS At DANV|uE, I'LL.
The City Practically Under Martial
Law and the Mob Spirit
Apparently Broken.
WOMEN POSED As LEADERS OF THE MOB.
They Would Like to Lynch the
sheriff because lie Did His Dnty
The Latter Assumes the Respon-
sibiiity for All the shootIng Done
Frens the Jail.

Danville,I I'LL, July 27.-With the city
practically under martial law and 200
militiamcn guarding the streets, or
der reigns. and there Ii no indication
that there will be revival of the
riotous scenes of Saturday night and
Sunday morning.
Companies A. l, II and II of the Sew
enth Illinois infantry were rushed to
this city from Springfield, where they
were attending the state eneamp-
ment
They proceeded TO the Jail, where
Wilson, the negro charged with MS
saulting Mrs. Burgess, OF Alvan, is
confined. The troops surrounded the
prison. Their guns were loaded with
cartridges, aud they were under in-
strnctions to shoot at the first effort
TO attack them.
The mob dispersed about two
o'clock Sunday morning, but many OF
its members were still on the street
when the soldiers arrived.
They regarded the presence OF the
militiamen with displeasnre. and
many threats to drive them out of
the city were uttered. Rumors that
the soldiers were to be attacked were
frequent. but nothing came OF any of
them.
Throughout the day farmers resid-
ing in the neighborhood in which tie
assault was committed came 10 the
city in the hope of assisting In lynch
ing Wilson.
Troops Help Crush Mob spirit.
They helped TO spread the senti-
ment against the troops until II be-
came so strong that the commissary
department had great difficulty in
getting food for the men.
The mob spirit appears TO be dying
out slowly, though the situation is
still very tense.
The feeling against negroes Is very
strong and IT would not be wise TO
call the militia away for the present.
The mob is simply overawed by the
soldiers.
So far, no effort has been made to
arrest any Of the riotors, though the
lenders. both women and mcn.. are
well known. 1t is openly declared on
the street that the participants will
never be punished.
This was the first mob in Illinois in
which women figured as leaders. They
were as insistent as the men for ven
geance on Wilson and seemed TO be
delighted when Metcalf was hanged
and burned.
Several women were greatly dis
pleased because they could not lynch
the sheriff for defending his prisoner.
Lenders wives of Respectable Mem
These women were wives OF respec-
table men, who were also In the mob.
The old saying that no mob will
stand in a rain of bullets was fully ex-
cmplified In this case.
Az soon as Sheriff Whitlock fired
into IT, 1t began TO scatter, though no
more determined men and women
were ever brought together.
Two men were killed and 22 were
wounded in the nights rioting; OF
the wounded, two may die. Sheriff
Whitlock takes all the responsibility
for the shooting, saying he did all OF
IL. He says:
"After saw from the Jail that the
mob was determined to attack went
to the vcranda and attempted to talk
to the maddened men. As | stepped
into view Of the crowd two bullets
were fired, one striking the wall back
of me.
IL fred two shots in the air. Some
one shouted that was only bluffing
and that | was shooting blank cart
ridges. warned the mob that | would
resist an attack on the Jail with pow
der and lead.
There was another shot from the
mob and It surged forward. then
fred shot from my shotgun into
their legs. This drove them back,
but they returned moment later ia
the attack OF the front door. / was
alarmed for the safety Of my wife and
children.
"My wife took a gun and said she
would stand by me. got her and the
children out Of the way and then Al
the leaders came with the rail 70
batter down the walls shot along
the rail to make them drop II. THIS
accounts for 80 many being shot IN
the hands and arms. i fired eight or
| ten shots in all"
Sheriff whitlock had four deputies
and three constables with him IN the
iaiI guarding the prisoners. he says
no one fred into the MOB pu' nihise'''