New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-01
MILITIA AND MOB CLASH
SIX NEGRO HOMES BURN.
Springfield, Guarded by Troops,
OUeridden by Rioters.
[By Telegraph 10 The Tribune.l


Springfield Ohio. Feb. 2s.-Notwithstanding
the fact that the city is thronged with State
militia several mobs were formed shortly after
dark tonight and up to midnight had come into
collision with the soldiers in several instances
Several houses occupied by negroes were at
tackled and set on fire, but the militia soon dis
persed the crowds. The presence of the soldiers
serves to anger the mobs, and much trouble is
feared If the different crowds are merged into
one mob. All incoming trains loaded with
people. partly coming from curiosity and partly
TO join in the rioting. Many negroes are leaving
town in fear of their lives.
mob has organized in a Denison-ave re-
sort in Columbus. waiting for the announce
ment of the death of Davis the brakeman, when
1t is said they will come here and join the riot
They are friends of Davis, who is a Co
lumbus man.
The first alarm of fire tonight came from
Taylor and Pleasant sts.. where many negroes
live.
One section of the mob set fire TO q house at
No 122 Harrison-st. occupied by George Miller
Several negroes were in the house, but escaped;
the house soon burned to the ground. together
with another adjoining. The firemen had great
difficulty in fighting the fire. as the mob cut the
the hose. A squad of soldiers was sent for,
which scattered the crowd
effort was made to burn small negro dis
trict in York-st., three blocks away. One house.
occupied by two negro families, was burned to
the ground. About the same time there came
a report of trouble in Section-st.. where another
mob had started TO wreck the home of John
Funderberg Half dozen shots were fired into
the house, when detachment of soldiers ar
rived and saved it from fire. An attempt was
made to get to the "Flickers Nest a notorious
negro resort in Easiest but the militia, expect
ing this. surrounded the place and drove the mob
back.
In the southern part of the town is another
negro settlement. and an alarm came from that
quarter about the same time An attempt was
made to burn the Weimer section In the rear Of
the home of w. s. Thomas. in Highest Local
police fired several shots into the crowd and
it quickly dispersed. 1t is not known yet
whether anyone was hit by the policemen.
Up TO midnight twenty nine rioters have been
jailed six houses burned, a boy shot and a
woman has a broken leg, caused by jumping
from a window of her house which the mob had
set on fire. The face OF Ora Willis. fifteen
years old was filed with shot from unknown
quarter.
Major H. c. Keifer, who commanded the mill
tia, was compelled to go TO his home early to-
day. exhausted from the long siege. He took
command again this evening. 1t was reported
to-day that the original plan of the mob was TO
take the negro Edward Dean from Jail, pull him
at the end of rope to the railroad yards whers
Davis shot and tie him to the rails.
Then switch engine to be allowed to
come down on him and crush out his life. The
railroaders are deeply angered over the shoot
ing and are reported to be ready to seek re-
venge. No effort will be made TO bring Dean
back here from Dayton for several days
Hardware dealers have been doing an i'm
mense business all day in the sale Of revolvers
and cartridges. 1t was estimated that three
fourths OF the men on the streets tonight are
armed.