Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-03-09

Springfield, Ohio. March "a mob
of 500 people gathered in the negro
levee district this afternoon and
threatened to burn the remainder of
the buildings there. The authorities
are consulting about calling for addi-
tional troops. The chief of police
says there will be a race war this ev-
ening.
Quiet During Day.
Springfield. Ohio. March 9.-The sit
uation has not changed since , this
morning, when the mob dispersed af-
ter about a dozen buildings occupied
by colored people were burned. The
militia is maintaining good order.
The mayor believes the reign of ter
ror is over.
Orders Out Troops.
Columbus, o., March 9.-Upon urgent
representations from Mayor Bowlus. OF
Springfield, O.. that race war is inn
minent as Il result of the lynching OF
the negro Dixon, Governor Hcrrick or
dered eight companies of state militia
to that city 10 preserve orders, and they
arrived there by midnight. Senator
Hypes talked to Springfield and was
advised that the outlook was most
alarming. The colorcd people were re-
naming for the most part of their dis
trict and were wrought up to stage
of virtual frenzy.
The trouble, according tO Hypes' in
fOrmants. was due to threats made by
white men that they intended TO clean
OUT the colored district. On The 9th
er hand the colored people. enragCd
at the public exhibition during the day
of the body of the mob's victim, threat
ened reprisals. White men armed and
threatening vengeance were paTadinG
the streets in great numbers and the
excitement was mOmentarily increas-
ing. The police were wholly ignored.
Fires Negro Saloon.
At 1880 the threat Of the mob was
made good and a volume of flame
shot up from the rear of Les Thorn
as saloon. Preceding the firing of
the building the mob shot at the front
of the building for half an hour, but
it is not known whether anyone was
in the building. aud If they were,
whether any fatalities resulted from
the shooting. It is reported the ne
groes warned Sheriff Routzahan to re-
ing. as the moment the torch was APP
piled to the Washington street dis
trict. that institution would be dyna-
mited.
Troops Arrive.
\ company OF militia from Nenia
arrived at 1880 in the morning. and
and with the UTbana company are in
East Washington street.
Two companies from Dayton and
one from Miamisburg have arrived
and are stationed at various points TO
prevent ingress either Of negroes or
whites. the object being to forestall
any efforts to fire the business dis
trict. /: Is feared the force is INSULT
cient TO prevent incendiarism in the
outlying districts.
At an early hour Wednesday morn
ing the excitement was so intense
that even the presence II seven COM
panics Of militia could not allay it.
Great fear still prevails that the ne
groes Will yet fire the business dis
trict and homes in the residence sec
tion. The fear is probably based on
the fact that these portions Of the
city are practically unguarded.
Coroner to InVestIeats.
Springfield, o.. March 9.-There does
not seem TO be much inclination on the
part Of the officials TO make Il thor
ough investigation of the lynching.
They believe it is a disgrace, but many
feel that the negro deserved all he
received. Judge J. *. Mower says he
will call a special grand jury to inves-
tigate the lynching as soon as Prosecu-
.or McGraw is ready.