Evening journal., 1903-06-30
NEGROES ABANDON
MASS MEETING
They Are for Peace and
Therefore Decided Against
Demonstration
NO DISORDER ON THE. STREET
Coroner Mocormiek's Jury Renders a
Verdict That Peter Smith Came to
: Death at Hands Unknown to
Jury.

Through the influence OF Chief Of
Police Black and some of the foremost
colored residents of Wilmington the
proposed mass meeting of negroes to
take action on the recent lynching of
George White, and the subsequent re-
elimination between whites and blacks,
was not held last night.
That the meeting would be held was
announced on Sunday by the Rev. Mon
trose w. Thornton at the close of his
inhammatory sermon in the African
Methodist Church. Chief Black was as
sured early last evening by several col
ored ministers that the mass meeting
would not be held at this time. They
had cOunseled the instigators Of the pro-
ject that it would only tend to revive
Che rancor and possibly renew hos
tiles between the races if radical ac-
tion should be taken in the meeting.
Hall Was Closed.
Notwithstanding this. dozens of ne
groes trooped to odd Fellows Hall, at
Tenth and Orange streets, where the
rally was to have been held. The Hall
Committee was present with two po-
licemen and notified the arrivals that no
meeting would take place there, and
/ that all entertainments for the near fu-
ture had been postponed. The hall was
closed and was not Illuminated.
Those who called seemed satisfied
and did not linger long. Few white per-
sons were in the vicinity, and the
neighborhood, thickly populated by ne
groes, was quiet. The entire city has
reverted to its wonted ways of peace
and order, and the stern vigilance Of
the police and military authorities was
relaxed last night.
Only a small detail OF National
Guardsmen was at the armory. where
the entire battalion had been in arms
up to yesterday and the usual squad
of policement was on the streets.
For the first night since Thursday
liquor saloons were wide open last
night. but there was no disorder.
unknown" Killed Smith.
Resolved, that Petro Allegretto came
TO his death from the result Of gun
shot wound inflicted by a person un-
known TO the jury"
This was the verdict reached last
night by a jury empanelled by Coroner
Mccormick, to inquire into the death
of young Allegretto, or Smith, his as
sumed English name, who tvas shot
while the mob was storming the coun-
ty workhOuse one week ago.
No searching effort was made to get
evidence tending to disclose who had
shot Smith. The principal witness was
Ralph Fidance, a companion, who said
that he saw Smith fall, mortally
wounded. and took him to a Wilmington
hospital. Two others corroborated this
s.N. ItaNr F.s
mulated.
At the regular meeting OF the Police
Commissioners last night. the follow
ing resolution commencing the depart
ment for its efforts to restore order
during the recent trying ordeal, was
adopted
In view of recent events, the COM
mission deems Il proper to express its
confidence in the chief OF police and
all of the officers, and its appreciation
of their efficient and untiring efforts ia
restore order during a very trying or
deal also for their good judgment un-
der unusual conditions, and would es-
pecially commend Sergeant McDermoti
and Officers Green. Hutton and Sim
mons for their valuable services in pre-
venting a serious breach i'm the peace
on the night of the 25th instant.
"The commission also wishes TO ex-
press it's appreciation of the willing CO.
operation extended to the department
by the saloon and hotel proprietors ir
closing their places of business on tn,
nights of the 26th and 9th instants, II
conformity with the orders of the
chief"
Will Appeal to Gar.
Mr.. Thornton, who issued the appea
TO the negroes to organize. does not in.
tend to be suppressed il possible. H'
says he is going to hold his meeting
and proposes to get up petitions ap
pealing to the European Powers to as
sist in taking action to prevent tn
lynching OF colored people in tn
United States. A special appeal, MI
Thornton says will be made to tn
Car of Russia to use his good offic'
to prevent brutality i'm America towarl
the negro race. This action was de
cided upon at a meeting of colored mel