Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-06

New York, Aug. 5.-The fact that
twice Sunday, mob vengeance held
sway and lynching was narrowly avert
ed, has added to the seriousness Of the
situation in this city caused by the re-
cent remarkable series of crimes in
which women and young girls are the
victims. The mob attacks reveal n state
of public evaporation approaching
frenzy, which, it is feared. may easily
lead to serious disorder.
Prompt action by the police alone
saved the two men accused Sunday
from summary justice. especiallys ain the
case of George kesner, Russian book
binder, around whose neck mob had
tied a rope when the police reached the
scene in force. 1t is noteworthy that
the other man attacked, Louis CONGO
nela, was innocent of any attempt at
crime and indicates how readily a MIS-
take can be made in time OF public agl-
tatiOn or excitement.
The police are bending every effort to
give adequate protection and to further
this end 1000 plain clothes men haV"
been scattered about the city particu-
|larly i'm the congested quarters, the
scene nI l1nOSl VI lHe hSoiu'eS'
The first organized body to take up
the question is the Central Federated
Union which has appointed commit
tee to call upon the mayor with a de-
mand that he take action that Will put
a stop to the attacks on children IL
was stated if the city authorities do
rot quickly stop the crimes. Governor
Hughes will be appealed to. A negro
delegate spoke at the. meeting at which
the committee was appointed in praise
of the "quick justice of the South"
This is significant of the feeling that
exists in some quarters. Another sug-
sestion made at the meeting was that
unless the attacks were quickly
STOPPED the governor should call out
the state militia.
Late Sunday night the police received
news of another attack. 1t occurred in
the suburb of Richmond Hill. Jennie
Smith, % years old, was attacked by
two men while on her way home. Her
screams brought assistance and one OF
the assailants was captured.
One man died Monday as the result
Of race riots which started Sunday
over a 1O-cent bet on a ball game. The
dead man is John McCue. a negro. who
was badly beaten in the fight with
whites. Over a score of persons are re-
covering from injuries received in the
riot.
The arraignment of two Italians to-
day IN Lee avenue court, Williamsburg,
disclosed another attempt to assault
Young woman last night. The two as
sailants were nearly lynched by mob
which the police finally drove off. The
Young woman was Miss Sadie Hasen-
f,ug, niece of State Senator Hasenflug.
She was walking with her fiancee last
night when two Italians who gave their
names as John Montelone and Peter
Condaso, suddenly attacked her The
Italians were Overpowering Miss Has
enf1ug and her fiancee when the girls
cries brought a crowd which gave
chase.
The Italians were finally captured
and the crowd, in angry mood. began
to make threats. A rope was brought
and so men made rush for the Ital-
ians, who were being hurried to the
station house by the police. The crowd
scattered when the polic- drew their
revolvers. Miss Hasenflug and her f.
ancee were uniniured
Commissioner O'Keefe who, during
the absence of Police Commissioner
Bingham, is in charge of the police de-
partment, called the inspectors togeth-
err today for conference to determine
upon further police measures to pro-
tect women and children from assault.
Commissioner O'Keefe directed that
the attention of every member of the
force be turned to the crimes against
women and children and that all pa
Ftrolmens tell mothers along their posts
to keep a watchful eye over their
daughters. The commissioner further
ordered that the partolmen ask families
to communicate with the police depart
n1ent just as soon as children are found
missing. Cases of assault and missing
children are to have precedence over
all other cases in the department.