The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-05-29
Freight Train Mobbed
at Lithonia.
RACE SITUATION LOOMS UP
MORE SHARPLY THAN EVER
Engineer Struck by Stone Thrown
Through Cab Window.
A Negro Fireman Was Rushed to At
ianta I'm Engine to save Him
From ThrcateninE situa-
tion--Man Trains Run
Yesterday.

Atlanta, Ca. May 2s.--The first vio-
lence to railroad property In the Geor-
gia firemen's strike, occurred tonight
to a moving freight at Lithonia, Ga.s
and the race situation In consequence
doomed more sharply than ever over
the situation, Notwithstanding day
of much apparent progress toward
settlement.
Al negro fireman was apparently the
cause of the trouble, and he was rush
ed to Atlanta In an engine to saYe him
from what his engineer at least, be-
iieved was a threatening situation. The
trouble started in the throwing of one
or two stones and the boarding Of the
freight by men who set the brakes and
broke 1t into. three sections. The
freight now blocks the main line of the
road and the progress Of United States
malls which go out early tomorrow
morning. To such d pitch was public
attention stirred by the affair. that Of
Hcial sources gave the most conflicting
versions of 1t. The railroad officers de-
clared that II was the work OF strike
sympathizers while a County official
wired the Governors ONCE that it was
merely an taccident.
The engine left here late this after
noon for Lithonia under an arrange
ment between Sheriff Morris. of De-
Kaib County. and the railroad officials.
20 bring train load of perishable pro-
visions from the siding at Lithonia In
to Atlanta. Assurances have been
given the railroads for several days
that In the interest Of local shippers
whose valuable cars were tied up and
suffering loss by the strike, no demon
etration would be made against haul
ing these cars to Atlanta. When, how
ever, the engine from Atlanta pulled
into Lithonia about dusk. ~ was seen
to carry q negro, fireman, as did the
mail trains which passed hthonia
: earlier n tl5s dag. exciting very un-
favorable comments About two hum
night. The engine was coupled to the
ears then. the railroad officiAIs say. Just
rs the train was getting under headway,
4 stone new through the cab window
and hit Engineer DowninG- Next, say
, the ofiicials several men boarded the
cars. setting Brakes. cutting OF the
air, causing the last car TO break loose
from the train, and finally uncoupling
the engine, leaving its load stalled. Ac-
cording to the railroads statement,
their men saw no attempt by local au-
thorities to interfere with the attack
upon the train.
The report telephoned to State ON
Gals here said merely that there was
no violence, that the train had run
short distance out OF Lithonia when 1t
stalled and the engine continued on its
run to Atlanta. After the train had
stopped, said this report, a small sized
crowd Of men swarmed upon the freight
cars.
It is believed that the railroad au-
thorities will attempt to clear the
track at Lithonia for the mail trains
early tomorrow morning, and that
sworn deputies will be used to protect
the train crews in clearing the track.
Just before the engine left Atlanta this
afternoon, General Manager Scott gave
out the following statement;
SCOTS Statement.
"Bv ARRANGEMENT with Sheriff Morris
OF DeKalb County. we have arranged
to send to Lithonia for number Of
cars OF freight, including much per-
ishabIe, to bring them back to Atlanta
Ind forward from here to destinations
in different parts OF this State and 9TH
er States by other lines. Sheriff Morris
guaranteed full protection to employees
and property.
"As an instance OF lawlessness, 1t is
proper to mention that the airbrake
hose on several OF the cars have been
cut while they were detained at LIZ
thonia.
Application through our agent at
Thomson to the Sheriff OF McDufie
County for protection to our employees
response:
"'Sheriff says he is powerless to give
protection to passenger trains. Impos-
slble to get deputies who are not
strike sympathizers. He has made re-
peated efforts to get up posses and
does all in his power. Cannot get mu.
nicipal authorities to take any action
Here, again, Is an example of the
complete failure Of state, county and
municipal authorities to protect en-
ployes and property. as requiredI by
law. which in the present condition is
essential to the resumption Of train
service. ;
authorities will exercise their power
FOR the protection OF employees and
property. the Georgia Railroad Will
have no difficulty in completely restor-
ing their trains of all kinds.
1Signed) Thomas K. Scott,
General Manager"
Today brought forth almost stimuli
taneously the possibilities OF speedy
state or Federal intervention, believed
by many persons of wide acquaintance
with local conditionsvto be heavy with
danger of race trouble. It is admitted
that either Federal or State authori-
ties can run the trains and preseve
armed order. but IL the railroad in
sists on its rights TO negro firemen,
I
reprisals on negroes will be stirred
mn i'm regions remote from the rail-
road tracks.
If is pointed out that not until the
Iynching of a negro at Lincoln shortly
after the strike began. had there pre-
viously been a deliberate lynching In
Georgia for nearly two years. Negroes
have met violent deaths during that
time. but they were killed while re-
sisting capture.
Chairman Knapp Of the Interstate
Tomorrow. and although II is under
stood he comes only to investigate and
20 offer friendly services. the fact that
snterruption of interstate business by
ehs strike had not heretofore been
given close attention here. leads 70 the
~ome degree Of Federal intervention.
state Intervention without the use