Mexico Missouri message., 1906-09-27
MOB OF WHITES MAKE A NIGHT
OF TERROR FOR sLAcKs
IN ATLANTA.
WHITE MANS FURY
Many Negroes Killed and Wounded
and the Governor Calls Out
the Militia to Restore
Order.

Atlanta, Ga.--A race war of
alarming proportions began here
Saturday night. Through the night it
ragged with varying vigor and when
Sunday morning dawned 1t found
number OF negroes and one white man
dead, score Of both races wounded
and the downtown streets In posses
sion Of eight companies OF the Fifth
Georgia infantry with a battery OF
light artillery in reserve.
The Cause.
This condition came as the result
of numerous and repeated assaults, or
attempted assaults, upon white WON,
en- by negroes. The last Of an even
dozen OF such assaults within the
limits Of Fulton county, within the
last nine weeks, came Saturday, when
four attempts at assault were reported.
The usual Saturday night crowds were
largely increased by men and boys,
who thronged the downtown streets.
There was no leader and no overt act
until late in the evening. About 10
o'clock a negro man showed a white
woman from the sidewalk on White.
hall street, in the center OF town. AL.
most simultaneously a negro woman
made an insulting remark to a white
man on an adjoining street and ne
administered what he considered due
punishment, From this start, the ex-
cited crowd, which had become a mob,
began its work of destruction.
The Hunt for Negroes.
Five thousand men and boys
thronged the downtown streets look.
ing for negroes. News that riot had
started brought thousands more from
their homes in the suburbs and resi-
dence districts, until fully 10000 men
thronged the downtown section. They
made attacks on the incoming street
cars. One car half filled with negroes
approached from an outside run. The
mob dashed for the car. Resistance
was made by the negroes, who had
not been apprised of the trouble.
Three negroes lay dead on the floor of
the car when 1t was permitted to move
on and two more were beaten into
unconsciousness.
The Mayors Futile Efforts.
When the crowd seemed to be get.
ting beyond control, at about 10
o'clock, Mayor Woodward mounted a
car platform, on Peachtree and Mari
eta streets, and urged the crowd to
dispense, declaring that the assaults
OF the white women would be ade.
quately and promptly punished by due
process of law. Mayor Woodward was
given a respectful hearing, but when
he finished, the work of destruction
was resumed. He made another APP
peal few moments later, but with
out result. Then he turned In a gen.
eral fire alarm, calling the entire fire
department to the scene.
To Chief Joyner he gave the Iaconic
order: Clear the streets"
The result was to stop the mob in
its work in that immediate section
and to drive 1t to other streets.
Governor Orders Out Militia.
The situation became so threatening
at IL o'clock that Gov. Terrell was ap-
pealed to to order out the state troops.
Although no request had come from
the sheriff, Gov. Terrell gave the
order, mobilizlng the eight local in
fantry companies at once. Previously
q police riot call had been sounded,
summoning all police reserves to head
quarters. With the decision to call
out the troops, the big FIRE bell sound
ed once more, this time the cali for
every member Of the militia to report
forthwith at his armory. It was al
most 2 o'clock Sunday morning be-
fore the first squad appeared on the
streets and at 8 o'clock six Rompa-
MES were under arms.
Blaeks Fleeing the City.
The attacks on negroes had the ef-
feet Of clearing the streets Of blacks.
Street hacks were abandoned at curb
ings, drivers on baggage wagons van
ished and their places we're tahe~ by
white men.
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