The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-03-11

moned but the mob was determined
that the "joints" should 20 and the
flames had assumed great headwsy be-
fore the fremen were permitted to get
close to the blaze. Within half an
hour all of the Ave houses in the row
were on fire and all that the flremen
could do was TO confine the blaze to
the negro quarter and protect the large
buildings 10 the eastward, towards
which 1t threatened to spread.
Why the militia companies that were
first on the scene did not Are and thus
disperse the mob Is a question that
some one will likely have to answer
after the present excitement has calm
ed down The officers responsible de-
clare that 1t was because they were too
weak to cope with the mob, but the
belief is general among the law abiding
classes that few we'll directed vol
leys would have taken the heart out Of
the mob.
The Xenia company which was the
first on hand was composed of but 25
to what part II took in checking the
mob. Certain 1t is. that it did moth
ing to drive the crowd away from the
'levee" until after the district was In
flames, 1t was nearly midnight when
the company from Urbana made its APP
pearance. The local companies did not
get into action until after most of the
I trnt Ia ha nI~ haI trnh
/ itself out from its own exertion.
At an early hour this morning the
streets were well filed with people but
the authorities had at last assumed
control and for the present at least
the danger is over.
4, Springfield March 9.-The militia
were In full control of the situation
and everything was quiet at o'clock
this morning. The flames are confined
to the two squares east of Spring
street. All OF the buildings destroyed
were Inhabited by negroes.
1t is reported that the militia shot
two men but this has not been verified.
| Springfield. o., March S.-Five COM
|
Company ID. of Urbana; Companies G.
and X of Dayton; Company II, Of Mi
amisburg, Third regiment, and Com.
pany of Xenia, Fourth regiment, are
on their way here on special train
by order of Governor Myron T. Her
rick in response to the request of
Mayor c. ]. Bowlus, Sheriff Routzahn
| nf cit to nj iniu In
prevent mob violence.
During the afternoon little knots
of men could be seen conversing in
low tons and threats were heard that
they were going to kill five police
men and burn the "levee." The ne.
groes are determined to revenge the
lynching of Richard Dickerson and thu
wite men threatened to destroy the
levee which Is inhabited by the low
est types of humanity.
In one Of the large manufacturing
shops the white men treated the ne
grOe employees with contempt and this
| resulted in heated arguments and
threats being exchanged Fearful Of
| the consequences of the mutterings
about the city, conference was held
in the mayors Office tonight by May
or Bowlus; Sheriff Routzahn. President
w. r. Burnett and George Cotter of
the board of public safety; County
Prosecutor John B. McGrew, Major
T. ]. Kirkpatrick of the Third regi.
ment and Chief of Police r. T..
O'Brien. AS result of their delib-
GRAFTON the following telegram was
sent to Governor Herrlck:
after conference with CHIEF of po-
lice, sheriff and Major Kirkpatrick,
send me as quick as possible, in COM
mand of colonel, six companies
Have ordered local companies into
their armories. Phone me when and
from where aid will come
(Signed) &c. J. BOWLUS.
Mayor"
In response to this the mayor re-
ceived the following:
you message received VIII be
complied with at once. Keep us fully
advised on the situation.
(Signed) "MYRON T. HERRICK,
Governor.
1t is understood that Colonel Harry
Mead, of Dayton. is en- route with the
militia. Major Kirkpatrick notified
Mayor Bowlus that he had assembled
Companies B and K of the Third reg.
iment at their armories in this city.
1t is the plan to place these various
companies on the levee, in the center
OF the city and at the homes of sew
eral of the officials whose lives have
been threatened. one of which Is Po-
lice Judge j. Miller.
Major Kirkpatrick Intends to keep
his companies at the armories as
long as possible, as here is stored all
the ammunition. II 1t is left without
guard the mob will have its own way.
Mayor Bowlus issued an order to
Chief of Police O'Brien to close all the
saloons Of the city. He and the other