Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-08-18
SPRINGFIELD RIOTS.

Springfield, H.. Aug. 11.-One more
victim was added to the death list
of Springfield mobs tonight when G.
W. Scott succumbed to a gunshot
wound in the lungs sustained Friday
night. Scott's death brings the total
fatalities to six.
Another death is expected momen-
tarily. w. II. Rowe. chief clerk in the
county treasurcr's office. is slowly sink
ing from the effects of bullet wounds
and the beating which he suffered at
the hands of negroes Friday night.
Bowes friends have warned the au-
thoritics that Billy will be avenged
and the event Of his death will cause a
redoublng of vigilance by the troops.
wait until the troops go" is the
word that has been passed around
town and recognizing the strength of
the under current, state, city and
county officers are taxing every effort
to turn the public opinion toward law
and order. To that end Gov. Dcneen
has been in conference with officers of
various civic bodies including the
Chamber of Commerce. the Springfield
Bar Association and the Evangelical
Ministers Association. Evidence is not
known to have important testimony re-
garding the mob and it's leaders have
been deferred from offering this to the
states attorney because of threats OF
violence made against them anony-
mouSly.
"Thc riot could scarcely have been
prevented and real disgrace will come
only if the guilty are allowed to es-
SC. Of ri
ties.
SO the civic bodies are asked to urge
all good citizens to reveal freely what
ever of testimony they may possess.
only sheer weight of evidence is likely
to break through the local prejudice
and assure convictions, according to
the police
The gathering of evidence began in
earnest today. Policemen in plain
clothes were sent to search the houses
of prisoners and suspects, and. as a
result the police station looked like q
general store tonight. Groceries.
hardware. clothing. drygoods and
shoes were removed in great quantities.
most of them bearing the price tags
Of the looted business houses.
Many arrests followed. Eighty pris-
room at the police station with only
the cement floor available for sleeping.
Five of the arrests made today are
regarded as important by the police.
1t was in the homes of these men that
most of the loot was found sixth
person is being sought by the police.
who aver that when he is arrested all
of the ringleaders of the mob will be
in custody.
Roy Young. % years of age, taken
yesterday, has confessed to starting a
number of riots the police say A
search of his rooms revealed guam
titv of new overalls, shoes. boys
shirts and other articles of apparel
The absence of outbreaks last night
and today has set many citizens to dis
cussing the possibility of an early
evacuation of the city by the troops.
1t is probable. however, that the mill
tary will remain until the special
grand Jury summoned today, COM
plnteS its report and returns In
dictments The force on hand will not
be added to- however, the 420O soldiers
now cncamped on the public square
and streets being sufficient to cover
the city SO thoroughly that there is
SHght chaace Ior MOD 10 Storh any
point.
| The mobilization of the troops has
been one of the most rapid evolutions
| in the history of the state militia Ten
| minutes after Sheriff Warner had told
| Col r. J. Shands of the adjutant gen.
erals office that soldiers were needed.
the Springfield companies had been
| ordered t. arms. From then until day
break this morning when five troops
Of the 1st Cavalry arrived from Chi
cago militiamcn have been pouring In.
! Continued on Page Two.)