Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-01
Springfield, Ohio, Sees
Another Night of Ne
gro Batting.
MORE HOUSES BURNED
Heavy Force of Militia Kept
Busy Driving Small
Bands.

Springfield, Ohio March livery
thing is quiet here this morning and
aside from the presence of militiamen
there are no visible evidences of the
diSorderly scenes of last night. After
playing a game of tag with various
bands of youthful rowdies who for four
or five hours last night caused most OF
the disorder. the militia early today
settled down 10 rest in apparently conf
plete control of the situation. The net
results of the nights turmoil were not
as serious as the riotous scenes might
have been expected TO produce. Three
houses occupied by colored families
We're burned and several others stoned.
Two persons were injured, and 20 ar
rests of rioters made
Is still Alive.
Brakeman Martin Divise whose
wounding by drunken negroes was the
immediate cause of the rioting. was
still alive this morning. If he should
die it is feared more trouble will fol-
low. There is a demand among citi-
Zons that rioters who were arrested be
dealt with severely.
A number of attorneys asserted to-
day they would refuse to defend them,
and others state if called upon in such
cases they will let the law take its
course without technical interferences,
and will provide only such defense as
will insure justice.
Prisoners Identified.
Guarded by two companies of mill
u
Preston Ladd were brought here from
Dayton today and taken to the city hos
pitaI TO be identified by Martin Davis,
the wounded brakeman There was
no disturbance. Twenty-Five rioters
were arraigned in police court this
morning and fined from $50 to 5000.
Davis identified Dean but failed to
recognize Ladd.
Mobs RensSembie.
Springfield, Ohio. March 1.-Despite
the presence of eight companies of
state troops the mob which Tuesday
night burned six negro houses. reas-
sembled last night and at one time ev-
cry available fireman in the city was
at work on incendiary fires started by
the mob. Many negroes sought refuge
in the city hall, which was strongly
guarded by soldiers. After 9 O'Clock
the soldiers were kept busy driving the
crowds from one street TO another
The mob began forming at o'clock.
The first excitement was created by
the sight of 500 men pursuing and
stoning a negro in East Main street.
The first alarm of fire came from
Taylor and Pleasant streets, where a
number of negroes live. 1t was soon
found that a small crowd had set fire
to a house occupied by George Miller,
a negro. Miller and his wife escaped.
The house and one adjoining were de-
stroyed. When the fire department ar
rived the mob cut the hose. Soldiers
arrived and drove the mob back.
This incident was scarcely over
when another negro house in York
street was burned. Troops were also
hurried to this point and the trouble
was soon over there.
Fire shots Into House.
Meantime another crowd in York /
street started to wreck the home of |
John Funderburg. Half a dozen shots |
were fired into the house, but soldiers |
arrived in time to prevent further dam |
age. An attempt was made to get to |
the "fiicker's nest notorious colored !
resort on East street, which was the |
center of the race war two years ago, |
but the militia kept back the crowds. |
Half an hour later an alarm came in |
from Fair and Mechanic streets in the |
extreme southern part of the city, |
where also there is a settlement of ne
groes. Up to 11:3O, so far as could be |
learned, no person had been hurt in !,
any of the disturbances.
Nine rioters were arrested by Maj. |
George Marshall of Columbus with a |
detachment of soldiers. A committee |
composed of City Solicitor Stewart l..
Tatum, Paul A. Staley, and Charles E.
Steart was appointed to take steps to
prosecute the rioters TO the fullest ex-
tent and to devise means to stop mob |
rule.
The citizens are greatly alarmed
over the riot. and are urging every one
to keep cool and prevent any excite
ment. Prayers were offered in the
church last night for the safety and
good name of the city.
Mayor Todd in the afternoon issued
a statement to the people. appealing
to them to keep on the streets.