The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-18
TORCH THREATENS
HOME OF LINCOLN
Courage of Lone Woman
Hats Madness Of Spring
field Mob.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Aug. 18th
home Of Abraham Lincoln has been
threatened with the torch. a mob,
slaughter mad. crazed by the terrible
scenes OF murder and arson OF Friday
and Saturday nights. tried to burn the
home in which Abraham Lincoln was
born.
The torch was lighted. but was not
applied to the building that is lovsd
above everything in Springfield. a wom-
ar. alone and unaided. stopped the mob
IN its effort to shame not only the State
OF Illinois. but the whole nation.
The attempt WAS made after the
Iynching OF aged William DODegan.
Fart OF the same mob that killed Done
gan surrounded the Lincoln home.
Shouts % Let's burn 1t down"
Here's where Lincoln lived; ne freed
the negroes" were heard. One of the
mob suddenly stepped out with lighted
torch He advanced from the street
toward the house. The mob was curs-
ing bowling, jeering, and connecting
epltlets with the name Of Lincoln.
Then Ninian Edwards, a custodian Of
the home. who is a relative of the mar
tyred President by marriage, opened
the door and stood on the porch The
man with the torch hesiiated and then
went into the street. The mob again
set I'D a great howl. cursing Lincoln,
cursing the home and threatening it's
destruction at some future time. Then
the mob turned and went away.
Riots In Night
The climax In an ali night battle be-
tween the troops ard rioters IN which
] "a
bush in all parts OF the city. was reach
ed al 2:30 a. m. today. when a negro
who had tried to set fire to a building
on Eighth street between jefferson and
Madison streets. within a stones throw
Of military headquarters. shot at Troop
er Adelman, of Troop b, Seventh Cav
airy.
The soldier returned the fire, but fall
ed 10 nit his man. The negro escaped
and a firing squad started in pursuit
of him. Earlier In the night the same
negro mad been seen prowling about the
house OF Z ". Hooker by Trooper
The cavalry and infantry were en-
gagged IA battle at six separate points
! with the rioters during the night and
! early morning. Many negro homes
| were attacked while the militia and
| rioters in ambush were firing at one
another. The shooting began at II
| clock at night, when the military
| commanders were cOngratulating them
| selves that they had restored quiet.
Outbreaks Planned.
The outbreaks were evidently planned
as they occurred in half Il dozen spots
/ at the same time. In an instant The
] city was aroused by the cracking of
rifles and the chatter of racing soldiers.
Just before the Tioting was renewed,
| Governor Deneen issued a proclama-
| ton calling on all citizens to furnish
! evidence TO the grand jury against per
/ sons WHO participated IN the lynchings
/ and destruction of property on Friday
and Saturday nights, and Offering 500
/ reward for the arrest Of the men re
| spcnsibe for the death of Scott Burton
( William DOnegan, Louis johnson, John
| COlwel James Scott, and Frank Del
more.
Public Indignation at the crimes dur
| ing the last five days, resulting in many
! deaths and a loss of property, crystal
/ lied today in the joint meeting of the
/ Chamber Of Commerce, consisting Of
/ 500 prominent business and professional
men. and the Springfield Business Mems
/ Association
Rioters Denounced.
! The meeting was held this morning to
| denounce the acts of the rioters, TO as
sure public officials of the sympathy
and support of the substantial classes
| In the prosecution of the offenders. and
/ to commend Governor Deneen for his
vigorous conduct in filling the city with
enough soldiers to control the situation,
/ and IL backing up the prosecution by
the local officers.
! The meeting indicated that among
/ the people of this city who own prop
/ eTty and have real interests here, there
/ is no cOndOniag the acts Of the rioters.
! An attempt TO set fire to a factory
( building. supposed to have been made
/ by a negro, caused a serious clash be-
| tween the soldiers and some negroes
/ early today. The negroes were cOngTe-
/ gated about some vacant fields only a
| few blocks from the county Jail, and,
/ when the soldiers sought TO scatter
/ them. they were received with revolver
| shots These were promptly answered
/ but no one was repoEted injured.