Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-08-28
SOLDIERS RULE SPRINGFIELD.
Iron Grip Of the Militia Overawss
MODS in Illinois Capital.

Springfield correspondence:
After three days and three nights of
riot and bloodshed the fourth day
da wnei with the race war situation
seemingly Just as ominous and threat
cning as it was during the hours IN
which the torch was being applied and
negroes were being lynched and hot
and stoned in every street. VI anti
negro element in the community has
been curbed and overawed by the mill
tia. but there has been no suppression
OF the spirit of antagohism against the
colored race.
Eifty-five hundred armed national
suardsmen patrol the streets and the
fever for blood has abated, temporari-
ly at least, mong the wild element
which ruled the state capital for forty
eight hours. 1t is not to be under
stood that the trouble is over. The dis
play of strength made by five regi-
ments Of the States organized militia,
simply overawed the population which
has teen responsible for al OF the
disturbance. There was comparatively
little disturbance after the Second In
fantry from Chicago swept through the
streets Sunday afternoon. The news
Of the coming, also, of the Seventh In
fantry and the First Cavalry, both Of
Chicago, had been heralded all over
the city, and this went far toward
bringing about a little peace
The most overt act Of Saturday
night was an attempt to cut the fire
alarm and telegraph wires at 7th and
Washington streets, in the heart. of the
business district. With the wires
down, the city would have been prac-
ideally at the mercy of the incendiaries,
who found firing the buildings in
which negroes lived or maintained
,mall businesses the easiest way of
1eeping the rioting going. The man
Who would have cut off the fire pro-
,ection Of the city was discovered in
he act of reaching for h wires. A
1alf-dOZen shots from troops who were
IN patrol in the courthouse square
we're aimed at him as he stealthi!y
climbed toward the wires. One bullet
probably hit him, for he dropped to
he roof of the building, but made a
successful escape. To this affair is
the attempt to fire the negro sec
ion on the northwest side Of Spring
field.
Overawed by the presence of the
great body of troops, the largest that
mas been assembled in an Illinois duty
camp since the riots in Chicago in
1884, the lawless element Of the city,
white and black, which in its fury has
been responsible for the death of five
persons since the rioting began Sum
lay. made no demonstration during
sunday. The city is under strict mill
rary rule. Soldiers are everywhere.
Every street in the business portion of
he city is %patrolled. National guards
men. with loaded rifles, keep an inces-
amt march up and down the thorough
ares. No gatherings of citizens are
Jermitted. Every one is kept on the
move. The troops have been given
strict orders to allow no mobs to be
.Ormed. and are obeying these orders
10 the letter. The big fact stands ont
that the majesty OF the law. as repre-
sented in the khaki-clad troops of the
state. has been recognized. and
through fear of the riot ammunition
,Fhich was iss9ed with orders to shoot
q Kill. Springfield was again at peace.