Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-03-01
With Renewed Energy in
Springfield, Ohio, Streets.
Houses Burned, Negroes Chas-
ed and Stoned, Boy Shot.
Ten Houses ia All Burned. Others Partly
Demolished Soldiers on DUTY.

Springfield, Ohio. Feb. 2S.-The riot
and race war begun here last night
as a result of the shooting of NJ. NJ
Davis. a railroad man, by Laid and
Dean, colored, was continued tonight.
the eight companies Of troops called
out TO assist the local officials in pre-
serving order not being able to pre-
vent the destruction of two houses and
the partial demolition of n dozen or
more others tonight at the hands Of
the mob
Up to midnight but one casualty had
occurred and the riot had consisted
mainly of marching mObs which set
fire 10 or stoned the homes of negroes.
Hundreds of people We're in the streets
and the excitement continued intense.
Martin NJ. Davis, the railroad brake
man shot by the two negroes, Dean and
Ladd. is said to be dying tonight. Act
ing Prosecuting Attorney Laybourne
just before midnight took the dying
statement of Davis, which will be used
against the accused negroes when they
come to trial.
a committee of lawyers consisting
of City Solicitor Tatum, former Rep
f. Staley has been appointed to prose-
cute the cases against the rioters A
mass meeting has been called by the
Commercial Club president, NJ H.
Fairbanks, brother of Vice President
Fairbanks, TO devise means to eradi-
cate the causes which have made the
rioting possible. The meeting has
been called for tomorrow night,
Springfield, Ohio, Feb. 2S.-With eight
companies of state troops on guard in
this city, as a result of last nights mob
violence in which six houses were burn
ed i'll the colored residence district.
more lncendiary fires We're started
early again tonight in various parts of
the city. In every instance the houses
were occupied by negroes or negroes
and whites. A negro house at Harrison
and York streets was stoned by large
crowd. bat the occupants are believed
to lave escaped.
The Fliekers Nest, which is inhabited
by negroes and which figured in the
Dixon mob and subsequent race war
two years ago. has been assailed tonight
and several attempts made to fire it
but as il is guarded by miltiamen the
effort has so far failed.
Several alarms have been turned in
as a result of the fires started. but no
general alarm up TO this hour as every
available fireman is at work on the
fires now under way.
Several negroes who have been chas-
ed by the angered whites from the ne
gro quarter of the city made their way
to the city building, which is in charge
of the soldiers.
Co. c. S. Ammel of the 4th Regiment.
arrived here this evening and assum-
ed command Of the troops, relieving
Capt. Horace keifer, who has been in
command.
Up to 11.30 o'clock tonight the mob had
succeeded in burning two houses and had
stoned and partially demolished a dozen
Others, all being inhabited by negroes.
The first place visited was the home Of
George Miller at York and. Harrison
streets. When the assault began from
the rear of the house. Miller ran in his
bare feet and without coat or hat, and
escaped from his pursuers by going to
the city hall. where he found shelter with
the troops. Coal oil was applied to his
house, which was soon n mass of flames
and was quickly destroyed
From Millers the mob went to the
home of two other negroes, a double
frame structure on York street, and the
torck was applied following the escape
of the occupants few minutes before.
The house was practically destroyed.
The militia were in hot pursuit Of some
of the rioters and at Central avenue chas-
ed them at the point of the bayonet.
Even while this was going on some of the
members of the mob who were ut n safe
distance from the soldiers continued to
stone tie houses Of negroes, smashing
the windows as they ran.
The house of Rev. John Scurry, Il negro
preacher, was stoned and the family fled
terror-stricken from it. The mob then
set fire to It. but the prompt arrival Of
the military prevented its destruction.
Continued on Page Three.)