Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-20
Anti-Negro Agitation Again
Alarms Authorities.
MILITIA PATROL STREETS
Coroner's Jury Frightens Negro
Deputy Sheriffs.
ALL FIRED SHOTS AT MOB
Attempt to Discover Who Killed
Halliday-Sheriff Unable to Get
White Assistance.

CAIRO. ILL.,, February 1e.-Statements
by four negro deputy sheriffs today to a
coroner's jury that they fired several
shots each Thursday night, when Alex
ander Halliday was killed while leading a
mob attack on the county jail. resulted
tonight in renewal of anti-negro asita-
ton.
The situation is acute. Three hundred
militiamen began patrolling the streets
| tonight In anticipation of demonstrations
against negroes or attacks on their prop
erty.
Cairo is virtually under martial law. al
| though Adjt. Gen. Dickson says the civil
authorities will remain in control unless
| there is new outbreak.
Squads of soldiers are seen everywhere
| tonight about the streets. The courthouse
has been turned into sleeping quarters
for the four militia companies on duty.
Deputies Alarmed by Jury.
| The coroners inquest resolved itself
into a general quiz by the jurors. The
inquisitors are business men. They ques-
toned the witnesses with such rapidity
that the negro deputies became confused
and showed alarm.
The jurymen tried TO learn which one
of the deputies fired the steel-jacketed
bullet that killed Halliday.
The negro deputies admitted firing in
discriminatory into the crowd with shot
guns and revolvers. None of them would
admit having used a rife, with which, II
is said. Halliday was killed.
The investigation was adjourned until
Monday.
1ybo na,ro dap,,f;oS u,bo frad ON the
mob are said to be marked men, now that
their names have become public. The KILL
ing of one white man and the wounding
Of several others by negroes, although
legally deputized. has brought out pro-
tests even from those opposed to the mob.
Sheriff Nellis testified at the inquest
that he used negro deputies because he
could not find his regular deputies, nor
the local militia company officers. nor
white men, who would answer his call
for help.
Sheriff Unable to Get White Aid.
Tears ran down the sheriff's cheeks as
he told of his frantic efforts to find men
to assist him in protecting his prisoners.
He declared that the Cairo militia COM
pany was ordered by the governor before
10 o'clock Thursday night to report to
him Immediately to protect the Jail. The
company did not appear until six hours
later.
George Jackson, Charles Hudson. Henry
Douglas and I. A. Head are the negro
deputies who admitted firing into the
mob. They testified that the leaders of
the mob wore gunny sacks over their
heads, with holes cut through for the eyes
Mrs. Rose Maloney, whose pocketbook
was snatched by John Pratt, the negro
the mob was after Thursday night, had a
second encounter with negro today. She
lost diamond brooch. and later heard
that a negro had found it.
She went to his home and recovered the
jewel. The negro insisted that he did not
intend to steal 1t.
Drawing revolver from her muff. Mrs.
Maloney placed the muzzle against the
negro's stomach and said:
"You knew it was mine when you found
it, didn't you? Say you did. quick, or Til
shoot
The negro quickly admitted that he had
recognized the brooch. Mrs. Maloney
apparently satisfied. went home.