Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-17
BIG OUTBREAK IMMINENT
Special Grand Jury Meets to Indict
Captured Rioters.
FIFTY OF THEM NOW IN JAIL
More Lynchings Expected-Incen-
diaries Shot While Attempting
to Cripple Fire Alarm Sys-
tenn Of City.

Although the city of Spring
field is being patrolled night and
day by more than 5000 soldiers,
cavalry. infantry and artillery
comprising nearly the entire
strength of the Illinois national
guard-sporadic disorder contin-
ues, the population is in a state
of terror, more lynchings are
threatened and a violent outbreak
of mob violence is expected at al
most any moment. Today a spe-
cial grand jury was called to meet
tomorrow morning to indict for
murder fifty rioters now in jail
and several hundred more who.
it is expected, will be arrested by
soldiery and police in the near
future. The dead now number
five, with eight more mortally
wounded and great number less
seriously injured. Four hundred
negroes are locked in the arsenal
and guarded by troops, while more
than 1000 have fed from the city.
Special Dispatch to The star.
SPRINGFIELD. ILL.,. August 17.-After
a night made a bedlam by the continual
changing Of fire gongs and the clatter OF
troops Of cavalry in the streets. Spring
field awoke this morning apprehensive a.
to what the day would bring forth.
Though armed guards patrolled every
street. several minor attacks on negroes
occurred. and alarms Of incipient Ores set
by hoodlums kept the state capital in an
uproar all night. Throughout the city .
feeling Of ominous quiet prevails. but 1t
needs but a spark to start rioting. such
as was seen Friday and Saturday nights.
In all quarters feeling OF uneasiness 10
expressed. Both police and military ofh-
GERS declare the danger is not past and
that other lynchings may occur.
Soldiery Rules the City.
The patrol duty during the night was
more rigorous even than on the previous
two evenings. as Gen. Young was deter
mined to prevent another lynching or the
further destruction Of property by guard
ing every block in the city limits. At each
headquarters emergency squads are held
to be sent out in automobiles to any
place at the first sign of trouble.
Many reports were circulated around the
city that negroes have camped outside the
limits and are preparing to make sorties
into the residence districts in retaliation
on the. whites for burning their homes
ed to have threatened to come into the
city in spite of the presence of the SOL
diers and to wreak vengeance on the
black population.
Troops Kissed and Jeered.
On account of these rumors Gen. Young
decided to divide his troops. Ill feeling
prevails against the soldiers at every cor
ner, and from many Of the houses the
militia are greeted with Kisses and jeers.
in many cases foul and obscene express
sions being used toward them. Whenever
a crowd or even half dozen men conGre-
gate they are dispersed by the patrol. One
or two attempts were made to drag the
guns away from the soldiers and extra
guards were rushed out to the scene OF
disturbance from the headquarters.
While the street brawls have shown the
Ill feeling toward the militia. nothing Sc
rious developed during the morning except
when a score of miners were forced of the
streets with bayonets.
Investigation Begun.
The city today entered upon the second
stage of riot history-the Investigation OF
outrages and the arrest of the guilty. A
special grand jury was summoned this
morning by Judge James A. Creighton OF
the Sangamon county circuit court as the
result Of a conference held yesterday az
ternoon between Gov. Charles s. Deneeu
and States Attorney Frank Hatch. More
than fifty rioters are now in the county
Jail and indictments will be returned
against them at once.
The grand jury will be held in session
SO long as mob violence is threatened.
Evidence will be submitted to the body
from day to day by officers and soldiers
and indictments returned as soon as q
case is made against an individual.
Vigorous Action Promised.
The investigation will be direct and
forceful as a military court-martial. The
governor has informed the city author
tiles that the prosecutions must be real
and vigorous. The police are spending
most of their time getting evidence to be
used in the hearing.
Chief of Police Morris today ordered
all drug stores closed until the city has
ouieted down. This was done because
many of them were selling liquor This
was followed by the closing of fruit
stores and soda fountains. Fifteen sa-
were arrested for opening
their places of business.
Although Sunday was free from any
mob violence. it is manifest on all sides