River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-08-20
Miscreants Driven from
City Hall by Troops
Soldiers in Capital
Number 4.2OO.
PRIVATE KLEIN ExONERATED
Guardsman Who Killed Man at Kan
kakee Cleared by Court of In
quiry-CounciI of War Plans
Disposal of the Forces.

Springfield, ILL.,, Aug. 1.-Two
deaths from injuries received in pre-
vious mob fights, the attempted cut
ting of the fire alarm wires, the exon
GRAFTON of Private J. B. Klein, company
A, First Illinois infantry, by court
of inquiry for the killing of Earl Mel
son at Kankakee Saturday and the
pursuit of a mob by guardsmen were
the chief of Tuesdays developments
in the race war in Springfield.
The attempt to cut the telephone
and fire alarm wires leading into the
| city hall was not successful. A po-
| liceman saw three men on top of an
| outbuilding, trying to reach the lines
overhead. He turned in an alarm to
the headquarters of Gen. Wells, com
handing a provisional brigade, and
soldiers to the scene. They arrived
| before the trio had done any damage.
| The would-be wire-cutters fed, leav-
| ing their nippers behind. They es-
| capped.
Private Klein Exonerated.
The court of inquiry, which consid.
cred Private Klein's case, was com
posed of Maj James Miles, Capts
Jacob Judson and S. F. High and
Lieut.. F. A. Guilford, all of the First
Illinois. After sitting all day, they
reported to Adjt. Gen. Scott that
Klein's act was performed in the strict
line of duty.
| Klein had been placed as one of a
| guard of the baggage car on the first
section of the Illinois Central train
which brought the First infantry to
Springfield Saturday. The train was
a special one and the baggage car con
tanned property owned by the state
Klein, guarding the front door, was in
structed by Lieut.. Guilford to allow nc
one, not officially countenanced, to en-
| ter the car. At Kankakee four young
men, according to the report, climbed
to the front platform and attempted
| to enter the car. Klein barred the
way, using the only weapon available
a bayonet. AS the train started the
four youths left the platform. Kleir
was not aware that Nelson or any one
had been injured. States Attorney
Cooper of Kankakee probably will in
stitute action against Klein in the
criminal court at Kankakee. The at
torney general of the state is com
PEELED by law to defend nationa
guardsmen in such case.
Troops There Number 1920.
With the arrival here Sunday of the
Second and Seventh Infantry regi
ments, I. N. G., and two squadrons o.
the First cavalry, all from Chicago
the entire National Guard of Illinois
with the exception of the Sixth in
fantry and the Eighth infantry (col
ored) was on duty in the riot-ridde1
districts Sunday night. In all 4,20'
guardsmen are in the city. TIVE
deaths, due to the violence of Frida!
and Saturday, occurred at st. Johns
hospital. William Donnigan, the aget
colored man whose throat was Gu
Saturday night, expired at IL a. m
Frank Delmore, who was shot through
the lungs on Friday night, passet
away an hour later. This brings thu
list of violent deaths during the rac'
troubles up to seven.
Council of War Devlses Plan.
A council of war was held at TIL
capitol at four o'clock in the Afternoon
by Gov. Deneen, Adjt. Gen. Scott, Gen
F. P. Wells and Col. H. B. Sanborn
At the meeting, a plan was adopte'
which it is believed will render ful
Their demonstrations improbable. Co
Sanborn was given command of
provisional brigade consisting of tn
First and Second Infantry regiments
with instructions to preserve tn
peace in territory west of Sevent
street. The two regiments establishe
headquarters on the capitol grounds
their shelter tents bordering the stat
house on three sides. Gen. Wells wa
placed in command of a second pre-
visional brigade consisting of con
panies of the Fourth infantry, thre
companies of the Third infantry an
IL companies of the Fifth infantry.
Gen. Wells, with headquarters a
the county Jail, Immediately poste
guards to cover the city east c
Seventh street. Troops B and G c
the First cavalry were detailed unde
Mai. Frank Bush at division heaG
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