Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-22
POLICE GET CONTROL
Subsistence of Anti-Greek
Rioting in Omaha.
FIVE PERSONS were SHOT
Eleven, Badly Beaten, Taken to Hos
pitfalls.
DESTRUCTION IS WIDESPREAD
Nearly Fifty Arrests Made-Threat-
ened Attempt at Rescue Prevented
by Display Of Firearms.
ESTRUCTION IS WIDESPREAD

OMAHA. Neb.. February 22.-The
rioting which began in the Greek quar-
ter of South Omaha yesterday afternoon
did not subside until an early hour this
morning. and the roll Of casualties is
five persons suffering with gunshot
wounds, eleven Greeks SO badly beaten
that they were taken to hospitals for
treatment and about fifteen other per-
sons suffering from assaults or as the
result of misdirected missiles intended
for the Greeks on whom the wrath OF
the maddened horde was centered. No
estimate can be placed on the financial
loss resulting from the destruction Of
property by the mob. Not less than five
shops Of Importance we're almost wholly
wrecked, while sixteen smaller ones es-
capped serious damage only because of
their smallness. The last Of the rioters
was not seen until o'clock. and at that
time Chief of Police Briggs and Sheriff
Bradley began to collect their forces In
the packing house districts. where 1t
was anticipated trouble would occur in
the event of the Greeks attempting to
return to work as usual.
Thriving Business Destroyed.
Last nights work of the mob was bet
ter seen after the streets were finally
SACnhCu ohu thC OohA<16Cu PAoSSS AoohA>N
over. Especial attention was given to
the property of the better class Of the
Greeks. Abe Cocoris, known as the king
of the Greeks. who owned two fine
bakeries and another smaller shop. had
little left today to show for his thriving
business of yesterday.
All three of the buildings he occupied
were smashed, exterior and interior alike,
and his stocks of goods despoiled. The
confectionery establishment of Demos
Brothers. the best In the city, was q total
wreck
One saloon, found later to be the prop
erty of a Roumanian, was demolished,
while numerous smaller stores, shoe shin
ing parlors and shops received similar
treatment. Three hotels, one Of which
was burned to the ground and all of
which had housed many Of the Greek
homes Of not less than a dozen Greeks
who have families were visited. and in
one instance the avengers entered and
destroyed the furniture, threw cooking
viands from a heated stove and maltreat-
ed the wife Of the house and her small
babe.
Feeling akin to that against the
Greeks was heard frequently regarding
a large number of Japanese who are
employed in the packing houses. The
city authorities have made all arrange
ments to hurry a company of the state
militia to the scene in the event of further
trouble. and the governor has given in
structions that the three companies in
the city shall hold themselves in readi-
ness for instant duty.
Nearly Every Greek Armed.
Last nights riot developed the fact
that nearly every Greek in the city is
armed. In not less than six instances
did they show themselves prepared to
defend their rights and fired into the
crowds Unfortunately. Fortunately
none of the shooting resulted seriously.
1t was sufficiently severe. however. to
raise the wrath of the mob to even a
higher pitch. Another noticeable fea-
ture was the persistence with which many
women urged the rioters on.
Several arrests were made before mid
night but after that hour the police and
deputy sheriffs began hauling in those
who gave evidence of being leaders, and
by morning nearly fifty had been taken
to the police station and booked for
disturbing the peace. At one time early
cred around police headquarters and only
a display of firearms by the officers
prevented a successful attempt to force
their way into the building.
What Caused It All.
The riots grew out of the arrest Of a
| Greek last Friday night by Policeman
Lowery. While on the way to the police
station the Greek suddenly whipped out a
| revolver and shot Lowery to death and es-
capped A quiet and unsuccessful attempt
was made later to lynch the Greek, and
then a mass meeting was called for the
afternoon to take some action with re-
| gard to Greek residents. The mass meet
ing was addressed by State Representa-
| tive Jerry Howard and j. P. Krause. At
torney H. c. Murphy and others The
tone Of the speeches was generally hostile
| to the Greeks, and Attorney Murphy, who
was the last speaker. laid especial stress,
1t is said, on what he termed the unde-
STABILITY of Greeks.
The blood of an American is on the
hands of these Greeks" he is said to
have shouted in closing his speech, land
some method should be adopted to avenge
his death and rid the city of this class
of persons"
The meeting was then dismissed, and
half Of the audience rushed to the Greek
quarter, where the destruction began.
Lincoln Park for the Memorial