Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-16

time the maddened mob was ready for
srything.
A rush was made upon Loper's restau-
rant, five blocks way. The proprietor was
warned. but, failing to appreciate the
seriousness Of the situation, did not at
tempt to escape until the mob was upon
the place.
He was pushed by employees of the place.
together with his wife, into a basement
room, in temporary safety.
LOper's Restaurant Demolished
Short work was made of the restaurant.
automobile in which the rescue had
been effected had been left in front of the
place. II was quickly turned upside down
and fire was set to the machine.
While the machine blazed frenzied nun
dreds poured into the cafe, tore fixtures
and decorations from their places and piled
them upon the blaze. Even the sideboards
and kitchen were stripped. and all the
tableware and dishes piled upon the blaze.
The fire department. which had been
called out half a dozen times in efforts
to dispense the crowds. again made a run
to the restaurant, but was powerless.
Every line of hose that was stretched was
cut before a stream OF water could be
forced into it. The restaurant was stripped
clean by the mob which worked without
hindrance until It's work was nearly COM
pleted.
The local companies Of militia, consisting
Of a company OF infantry. a troop of cav
airy and a gatling gun section, which had
been ordered out by Governor Deneen early
In the afternoon, was busy with the situa-
ton in the vicinity of the jail and the local
authorities had no men to spare at tho
scene of the Lopez rioting. Finally, in a
desperate effort to restore order, the cav
airy troop was dispatched to the restaurant,
Air Filled with shots.
Then the riotlng broke loose in serious
form. Shots were fired and the air was
filled with missiles. Many fell in the
melee. and It was here thai Louis Johnson
met his death. After the mob had moved
to other scenes Johnson's body was picked
up in the rear of Loper's place.
After nothing of Loper's place remained
for the Infatuated crowd. a rush was made
for the levee, which is usually populated
with negroes. But most of them had dis
appeared.
Attacks were made upon several store
buildings in which it was believed the ne
gro had been secreted. Entrance was
forced to these places and stocks of merch-
andise turned topsy turvy in the search for
refugees.
Shortly before midnight, the mob broke
into F1shman's pawnshop and secured =
quantity Of rifles, shotguns, revoIvers and
ammunition. With these they armed them
selves and started to march the streets in
absolute control of the situation.
Chafin Protects Negro,
sStand hack ganfiauan mr. TN ahouf
everyone OF you who touches this man, D
were the words of Eugene W. Chafin, pro-
hibition candidate for president, who faced
a mol that had attacked a negro while Mr..
Chain was delivering a public address or
the east side Of the square last night.
For this act ChafiE was struck on the
left side Of the face with a brickbat hurled
at him by a member OF the mob.
Chafin was well along in his speech wher
a negro pursued by a mob, came TOWARD
the speakers stand from Fifth and Wash.
irgton streets. where he had been pulled
from a street car.
The crowd closed in on the negro, anC
had him on the ground. beating hin
with their fists and clubs. The negro II
nally got away and jumped on the plat
form.
1t was at this point that Mr.. ChafiI
stepped to the froEt Of the mob, put hi
hand 10 his hip pocket and threatened 4
shoot anyone who touched the negro. Nj
Chains threat had the desired effect, al
though he had no weapon.
During the fight the negro pulled a knit
from hts pocket and slashed sveral whit
men. Mr.. ChafiE was not seriously In
Jured- James Scott was struck by a stra!
bullet and almost instantly killed.
Mob Lynches Negro.
After burning many houses in the negr'
quarter the mob. which became more an,
more desperate, as the night passed. fnalll
gratined its thirst for blood this morning
at ) o'clock. wheU a negro was lynched a
the corner OF Twelfth and Madison streets
right in the heart OF the so-caned 'bal
lands"
Troops arrived At the scene too late I
prevent the lynching. Some Of the mem