Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-20
Twelve Hundred Men Only to Be Left
on Guard.
FEAR MORE TROUBLE
Authorities Regard Race War over
and Think sheriff and His
Deputies Can Fully Control
situation.

the regular army maneuvers at Fort Ben
jamin Harrison, Indianapolis, early next
month"; were the organizations to begin the
evacuation of the capital
Riots are still threatening IL certain por
tions of the community and It is practically
certain that a portion of the troops here,
/ probably the cavalry, will be retained in
the service Of the state for some time.
! The First infantry left on the Chicago &
Alton at 10 o'clock today. This avoids
Kankakee, where one Of the members of the
/ regiment bayonetted Earl Nelson while the
command was en- route to Springfield. No
official Of the state was willing to ac-
knowledge that the change in route, had
/ been made because of the trouble there,
but It was broadly hinted that this was one
Of the determirging factors in the selection
Of the route to be travelled.
More Men Leave Tomorrow.
! Coincident with the departure for their
homes today OF the First and Fourth in
fantry regiments which have been on riot
duty here, it was announced that the Third
and Fifth infantry regiments will depart
tomorrow. This will reduce the military
force here to about 1900 men. ample
number, in the opinion Of those in authority,
| to handle the situation which has shown
much less serious acspect since the meeting
of the special grand jury yesterday.
The determination to follow up today's
departures with two more on the following
day was reached at a conference of Gov
ernor Deneen, Major General Young and
fAdjutant General Scott, last night, but it
was not announced until this morning.
The riots are now regarded history
and business men anticipate an early re-
} 81 oF
The reduction Of the force will save the
state about $4,000 a day.
The national guardsmen have worked
hard and effectively since their arrival, and
their personal conduct according to officers
and citizens alike, has been exemplary.
Il am of the opinion that the departure
| of the troops will do much to complete the
quieting OF the CITY," said Adjutant Cen
eral Scott today. The presence of the
soldiery has the same effect on some peo-
pie as a brass band does on a small boy.
The small boy has to dance to the music.
To some men, notably young ones. the
sight of soldiers in itself is exciting, no
matter what the purpose of their presence
| is. The young man feels that he must get
] Into. the picture. and sometimes he does it
! in a way that calls for represive measures.
conditions in this city are such
that an active SneElll WIN q BOJh LOANS
Of deputies, reinforced by the police, could,
in my belief, be safely trusted with the
public security"
Negroes Fear Trouble.
News of the departure of the troops was
carried into the so-called bad lands and
the respectable negro settlements by an
! Associated Press correspondent Some
were excited by the tidings. some appeared
hopeless and weary of the struggle. Some
in tired voices they would await
and see what happens, and others
declared their intention Of leaving
the city with scarcely exception,
they expressed the opinion that trouble
would follow the withdrawal of the national
guardsmen.
Officers TO whom the feeling of the
negroes was related expressed the opin-
ion that the fears of the latter were al
most groundless and due to the experiences
through which they had passed rather than
to actual conditions at present The force
remaining, in conjunction with the deputies
and police will, they say. be ample to
protect every law-abiding citizen.
A counteracting effect is looked for from
the special grand jury which yesterday in
df,ted George Richardson for the alleged
assault upon Mrs. Mabel Hallam and which
today began to consider the evidence
against rioters. The appeals Of Governor
Deneen, the Chamber of Commerce, Min
isteriaI association and other civic bodies
that citizens generally furnish information
TO the states attorney concerning the riot
have met with such prompt response that
the authorities are encouraged in the be-
lief that the better elements of the COM
munftv are aroused TO the danger which
threatens them unless the mob spirit is
haa ALI
pected quarters in that several proprietors
. of resorts in the black belt" neighborhood
have come forward with information that
is expected to prove of value. These per-
sons see that a continuance of past condi-
tions is impossible and are beginning to
make frantic efforts to preserve personal
interests.
Doubt as to Testimony.
But while much information has reached
the states attorney for grand jury use, it
is not at all certain that similar condi-
tions will greet the more open proceedings
of the coroners inquests and the criminal
court trials which are expected to follow.
The inquiry into the lynching OF Scott
Burton was brought before coroner's jury
this morning, but there was a noticeable
lack Of definite testimony. Most Of the
witnesses described the scenes in the
"bIack belt" but when questioned to
the identity Of members OF the mob their
memories failed them. II this condition
continues the chances Of convicting the
| persons charged with leadership in the
riots will be remote.
The morning hours today were the most
quiet which the city has experienced since
the troubles began. An inspection OF the
outposts by an Associated Press corre-
; spondent after midnight showed that the
2 streets were deserted and that the sentries
e and patrols were finding little to occupy
! their attention Occasionally a shot would
8 be heard but I'm all cases nervous militia
! men had mistaken shadows for lurking
r marauders There was no indication what
. ever Of a renewal OF the "sniping" at
pickets which had caused so much commo-
. ton yesterday morning. The readiness of
the militia TO return such fire had dis
couraged the individuals who had at
tempted TO terrify the troopers by attacks
! from ambush. The only untoward Incl
dent occurred at Woodside, a mining dis
4 trict. where stones were thrown al deputy
4 sheriffs who had been sent 10 guard mine
! shafts there. The deputies fired in the
; direction from which the missiles came
and there was no further trouble