The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-19
FIGHT AT STATE HOUSE.
Negro Janitors Use Up Pedestrian
Called Them Down for Brutality.

AS a result of an assault upon Charles
Reid by Fred Fauntroy, negro janitor
of the state house, Chief of Police Eaton
and Governor Hoch will engage in a
conference this afternoon, to determine
no wmuch authority the janitors OF the
b state house have in arrestfng civilians
Shortly after one o'clock today Jani-
tor Fauntroy who halls from Douglas
county attempted to arrest small boy
who was riding a wheel through the
state house grounds. Fauntroy was
very rough in his manner of dealing
with the small boy, so much so that 1T
aroused the ire of Mr.. Reid who was
passing through the grounds at the
time. Reid walked up to Fauntroy and
demonstrated with him over his rough
ness in dealing with the lad. Fauntroy
became angry at what he termed
Reid's lese majesty. nofficer of the
law, and called his fists into action
Reid is rather small in stature, being
about five feet and seven inches. By
the side of Fauntroy he looked insignifi-
cant and he was no match for the Eth
opian-
This however, seemed to make but lit
tie difference with Fauntroy and he
summoned aid from his co-janitOrs in
order to do a good job. A fight started
near the east steps of the state house
and Surged back and forth over the
grounds until it finally terminated near
the cannon in the southeast corner of
the grounds.
Before tn assault had proceeded very
far Reid was pretty badly mauled up.
Three were eight negroes fighting him,
according to the estimates of those who
witnessed the fight.
BY this time a large crowd had gath
cred and were witnesses at the fight.
Several of them could not stand the
sight they were watching and called
the negros down. Oscar Swayze, assist
ant county clerk, was passign through
the state house grounds at the time
and took some chips in the game. He
was informed by the negroes that his
presence would not be tolerated and
that if he did not desist he would have
his block knocked Off" Mr.. Swayze did
not do anything and saved himself
w. H. Gi1fillan was another man who
barely escaped injury. Mr.. Gilfllan is
city meat inspector and when he said
something to the ringleader of the mob
VISA told that if he wished to remain in
good health for a few more days he had
better move on.
Janitor Fauntroy managed to desist
from his share in the trouble long
enough to rush to a telephone and call
up the police station. Chief of Police
Eaton answered the phone and when
Fauntroy asked that the wagon be sent
up Eaton scented some trouble of some
sort. AS a result the arrival of the
wagon on the scene of the battle was
accompanied by the approach of Detec-
tive Ben Judkins. Judkins loaded Reid
in the wagon but Reid was not alone as
his dusky assailant was also hauled to
the police headquarters.
After hearing the evidence on both
sides of the case Chief Eaton decided
not to arrest Reid as per the request of
Fauntroy but instead to take up Faunt-
roy's case with the governor and to see
If the janitors of the state house are
allowed the same assaulting authority
as a United States marshal.
Rumors of the brutality of the negro
janitors at the state house have been
passed around quite frequently of late |
and Chief Eaton is resolved to stop it
If he can.
Shortly before this ARRAY Harold |
copeland was passing through the state |
house grounds on motor cycle. When |
he refused to stop at the signal of the !
Aanitors he was treated to a lively |
shower of rocks and other missiles but |
was fortunate in escaping injuries at /
their hands.
Reid the victim of the janitors. is a
young man, % years of age. He grad
uated from Topeka high school three or
four years ago and since has been en-
ployed at various places as an cleo
trician.