The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-14
Only Problem Is to Find Out
the Gully Persons
CAIRO IS SETTLING DOWN
Sheriff at Cairo May Have to Resign
Owing to Old Law Which Has Pro-
viso Regarding Lynching of
Prisoner.

Cairo. ILL.,. November 13.-With only
three companies of militia on guard to-
night Cairo was more nearly in a nor
NAL state than it has been since tn e
body OF Annie Pelley was discovered
in an alley last Tuesday morning. Ex-
cept for the fact that the saloons are
still closed and an occasional patrol of
soldiery tramps through the streets
there Is no surface indication that two
nights ago the city was In the control
Of a well organized mob with the au-
thorities unable to prevent a double
lynching.
Beneath the surface, Cairo generally
Is still prone to congratulate Itself
that swift justice was meted out to two
murderers. There Is widespread opin-
ion that "Froggy'' James and Henry
Salzner deserved their fates. At least
IL there is any lingering doubt as to
their guilt. 1t is not expressed openly
This attitude of the public is hinder
Ing States Attorney Wilson and the
other officials who are endeavoring to
fsx responsibility for the lynchings
While it is not difficult to obtain iden-
tification of many individuals who were
on the streets and close to the sum-
mary execution, it has thus far been
impossible to unearth positive evidence
regarding the leaders of the mob who
took the negro from the custody of the
sheriff and who battered down thS
door of Sal2ner's cell.
Identity Kept Secret.
The states attorney said late today
he had been able to establish only the
fact that a different set of men per
formed the work at the Jail from tn ose
who carried out the hanging and shoot
ing of James. He evidenced this as
proof of the systematic method fol-
flowed by the lynchers, but said that
all of these men had been careful to
protect the secret of their identity.
The Investigations of the states at
torney give weight to a statement as
cribed to Mayor Parsons, who told some
of the militia commanders there was
no riotous mob in Cairo 1t was q
gathering of business men.
The most bitterly disappointed men
in Cairo tonight are the saloonkeep-
ers Special excursion trains are to be
run into this city tomorrow to accom-
modate the Sunday sight-seers 1t is
expected that thousands of visitors will
reach the city, but none of the money
which they Will bring In their pockets
will be handled by the barkeepers.
Lid Is Shut Down.
The saloon men tried to pry the lid
loose and persuaded Mayor Parsons to
for aDr0Ra- l.
ton of the latters order closing the
bars. The governors answer stated mere
ly that after a conference with Brfgadier
General Wells he was "of the opinion
that the saloons of Cairo should be kept
closed until Tuesday and so advise you.
The mayor then issued a proclamation
closing the saloons.
States Attorney Wilson also brought
the governor into the situation by un-
earthing statute passed In 1905 and
declaring it to be the duty of the gov
ernor to proclaim the shrievalty of any
county vacant when a prisoner Is taken
from the sheriff and lynched. The statute
provides that the coroner shall succeed
to the sheriff's duties and that the de-
posed official may regain his place by
making a written defense to the governor.
attorney general and states attorney
within ten days of the lynching. Wilson
construed the law as being mandatory
on the governor. If put into effect
this statute would put the burden of
sending an official report to the state
executive squarely up to Sheriff Frank
Davis. He was not prepared tonight
to say what his procedure would be un-
der the circumstances.
City May Be Sued.
Although the rioting was accompanied
by practically no destruction of property.
Cairo may not escape a loss to its treas
ury. This will he limited to $500. how
ever. and will be contingent upon the
determination of Henry Salsner's father
to sue the city on behalf of the two
orphaned children of the lynched man.
The law gives the spouse or lineal heirs"
of mob victims an actlonable claim
against the municipality in which lynch
ing has deprived them OF their natural
supporter "Froggy" James had no heirs
of the class described by the statute, so
no claim can be entered against the
city because of his death.
Official activity regarding the murder
of Miss Pelley is practically at a stand
still. The Investigators found that their
best witnesses were Catherine Cooper
and Loving Green, the negress, and who
were allowed to leave Cairo when 1t be-
came apparent that they were in danger
of mob violence Until 1t VIII be pos
sible to get further depositions from them
the coroner's inquest over Miss Pelley
will not be resumed. although attempts
to establish a connection of Arthur Alex
ander with the crime will not be aban-
doned.
The deputy sheriffs who accompanied
Alexander and his militia guard out OF
Cairo last night returned today. They
announced that they had delivered their
prisoner to the sheriff of Champaign
county. the arrangements for Alexander's
incarceration In Kankakee having been
changed at the last moment
Takes Shot at Negro.
The first alarm that has reached militia
headquarters came tonight when Mrs. F..
d. Nellis wife Of the assessor and treas
urer of Alexander county, fired several
revolver shots at a negro whom neigh
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