The Washington times., 1908-08-16
Springfield Riots Break Out
AneW-Two More
May Die.
FEAR DYNAMITE
WILL BE GOTTEN
Rumored That Lawless Element
Bought Explosive-Mob Pays
Little Heed to Soldiers.

SPRINGFIELD. H., Aug 15--With a
renewal OF mob violence in its worst
form. eliminating in the probable deaths
of two men, while a mob is sJil march
ing through the outskirts Of the city
looking for other negroes on which to
yreak vengeance. with even worse like
IL to come. this city is undergoing a
night of torture beyond last night.
William Donigan, an aged negro, is in
St Johns Hospital at the point OF
death after the worst treatment yet ac-
corded any of the mob's victims. There
is no hope for his recovery. He was
shot twice. his throat gashed with a
dagger, trampled on and finally swing
TO a tree He survived this horrible
treatment after being cut down from
the limb where ne had been left dan
CLING by the mob by troops.
-Four Whites Attacked
A white man is reported killed by
negroes at White City. a resort three
miles out Three other white men are
said TO have suffered severe beatings.
The greatest danger that faces the
city is that rioters may resort TO the
use of dynamite against the 1000 mill
tiamen now guarding the city as well
as TO destroy more negro dwellings. a
report was circulated that men had
been dispatched TO St. Louis for the ex-
plosive and might be expected back at
J. o'clock.
The attempt TO lynch Donigan oC-
CURED al $50 o'clock this evening at
Edwards and Spring streets, within
two blocks OF the Stale Capitol. and di-
recuy across the street from the State
.aTsenaL
This atrociOus crime occurred directly
across the street from the State ar
Benal. which was filled with militiamen
at the time. The soldiers made no at
tempt 10 arrest the iynchers. but con-
tented themselves with dispensing the
mob after the crime bad been commit
TED. They divided it into two sections.
heading them in opposite directions
These TWO units remained intact, how
ever. and proceeded TO carry out the
spirit of the night
Mobs Almost Beyond Control
As the night wore on it seemed that
the military and police were losing their
boasted grip on the situation. Twenty
separate mobs worked in various sec
tions of the city.
The attack on DOuigan was the first
overt act IN execution of the plot TO
wipe the entire negro population out of
Springfield and it was the boldest
crime vet committed. The successful
execution OF the crime has thrown the
military and the police into disorder,
The mob that tortured Donigan was
permitted TO start out on its muTdeTOus
errand. and, from the very shadow Of
military headquarters, il paTaded
through the main streets of the city
EForrrfnrr and rrrf9fluT a7r1F cries
to the capitol" Let's get the armory,"
and We're after the uiggers." and no
.hindrance was offered by the numerous
Eentries who stood guard at every
street crossing
Told of Crowds Course
Five minutes after the mob had pass
ed down Monroe street toward the cap
-itol a woman who lived near the capitol
-teIephoned that she heard the shouting
of the mob and had then heard pistol
shots. A few minutes later word reach
ed military headquarters that Doni-
San had been strung up.
The mob acted with utter disregard
OF the soldiers, who were within few
Hurdred feet OF the scene Of the crime.
AT one time they even stopped within
eaTshot of the State arsenal and lis
tened 10 an address by a man who
urged that they move on the arsenal
and see if the militiamen would Use
those toy pistols"
The mob vetoed the speaker, and
shouted. Lets kill Niger" Then
they swooped down TO where poor old
Donigan had been left to shift for him
self by other negroes who were younger
and stronger. The unfortunate black
was riddled by bullets before he could
leave the room. Some bloodthirsty
Tioter slashed the negro's throat with
mis- knife. The sight Of blood was
enough to inhame the mob to frenzy. A
dozen men kicked and leaped upon the
negro's dead body.
Charge Rioters With BayOnet.
Although dead, Higgins body was
then carried to the streets and swung
up TO a tree As the mob started
swinging the body back and forth. as
was done with BuTton's last night, the
militia arrived With hxed bayonets
the mob was dispersed. Higgins body
was cut down. No attempt was made
by the soldiers to make arrests, al
though the rioters stood their ground
until pricked by the bayonets.
While the soldiers were dispensing the
mob few men slipped to the rear Of
the building and set Il afire. With the
troops TO protect them the firemen
quickly extinguished the flames
Intense excitement was created by the
news of the Donigan murder. and the
whole city is now IN panic of fear.
Detachments Of soldiers are being hur-
riedly sent TO other points where rioting
and violence are said To be IN progress.
Stores Close Early.
On proclamation of Mavor Reoca sr5
Sheriff Werner and on the request of
the chamber of commerce. Springfield
closed Ip tight at o'clock this evening.
Not 10 twenty years has the city been
az dark.