The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-08-18
MILITARY FORCE At SPRINGFIELD STRENGTHENED BY
new REGIMENTS ORDERED TO PROTECT TOWN FROM MOB
escape. killed the father.

D4se@ENEa|f EWFT9
escape, killed the father.
Fearing trouble, the sheriff yes
terday afternoon induced the proprie-
tor Of one Of the principal restau-
rants. Mr. Lopez. to take the prison
ers In his automobile to the outskirts
of the city and to transfer Richardson
and the other person referred 70. 70
Bloomington, about 60 miles north Of
Springfield.
Feeling OF uneasiness.
There was some uneasy feeling
among certain classes at Springfield
yesterday afternoon. but It was pre-
sumsd that the knowledge OF the
transfer Of the prisoners Of jail to an
other county would end the trouble.
a large crowd gathered at the jail in
the evening and there learned Mr..
Lopez had furnished the automobile.
They went over to his restaurant,
demolished the plate glass, sacked
the restaurant Of its liquors and turn
ed the owners automobile upside
down and set it afire. The crowd then
moved east on Washington street, to
the quarter Of the city which is large
~ populated by colored people and
known as the levee. Here they sack
ed the stores owned by colored people
and one %pawnshop. They also burned
a number OF houses. Only buildings
were burned that were occupied by
negroes.
Negroes Attacked.
Negroes on the street were assault
ed and one was killed and later was
hanged to a lamp post. The negro
was killed while trying to protect mis-
home from incendlaries who had gone
to the front door and shot into the
crowd. As reported in the newspa-
tpers. the killed numbered three and
the injured So.
The first call for help came at 4
o'clock yesterday, when Sheriff War
ner asked that a local company OF
militia assemble at s o'clock for duty
at the county jail. The company was
assembled at z O'Clock at the jail. The
second call came about 9 o'clock when
the gatling gun squad was assembled
at Loper's restaurant. At 9:l5 p. m.
it was thought more help would be
needed and the Decatur, Bloomington,
Peoria, Pekin and the Taylorville
companies were ordered to assemble
at their armories. The Taylorville
company started from that cily at u
o'clock. Later, special trains lett bear
ing the companies from the following
cities: Pontiac, Danville, Cham
paign and Quincy which arrived at 3
O'Clock. The Decatur company arriv-
ed first, and marched at once from
the cars to the place where the crowd
was congregated. Within a few min
utes, companies from Peoria and Pek-
in arrived and joined them.
Fired on the Crowd.
'The sheriff ordered the crowd to
dispense and on the failure to do 80.
three volleys were fired over the heads
of the crowd. This having no effect
a fourth volley was fired and several
! citizens were injured, the exact num-
her not known. The crowd at once
dispersed.
Give hundred soldiers arrived in
the city between 2 and 8 q. m. At
4::30 the fourth regiment was called
out. The last company was to ar
rive at noon today. This morning at
$3.50 o'clock, the first regiment ILL
nois national guard was called out.
It will arrive at Springfield at about
V p. m.
''This morning at 2 q. M, I issued 9
public statement to the effect that
the colored families who had been
driven from their homes would be car
ed for at camp Lincoln. The soldiers
are erecting tents there now and all
who are In fear Of danger will be &C
commodated at that place and guarded
by the soldiers.
I'VE are prepared to meet any fur
Their trouble that may arise. A few
assaults have been made during the
day, but have not been serious. The
community, however, is In a state OF
unrest"
Governor Deneen late today issued
the following statement:
Protection for All.
ut is %intolerable as 1t ID inexcusa-
BILE. The idea Of wreaking vengeance
upon the race for the crime Of one
OF it's members Is utterly repugnant
to all notions OF laws and justice. No
government can maintain Its self res
pect and permit it. Our state will not
permit it. The entire resources OF
the state will be drawn upon II nee
essary to protect every citizen OF
Springfield in his person and property
ana fhnoo whn vinIafo the law mnRt