The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1910-02-20
CAIRO NEAR
FRESH RIOT
Statement of Negroes That They
Fired on Whites stirs
Public Feeling.
ILLINOIS CITY TREMBLEs
ON VERGE OF OUTBREAK
Town Practically Under Martial Lao,
With Three Hundred Men
-r PstrolHne Streets.

Cairo. Ills, Feb. 19.-Statements nv
fonr negro deputy sheriffs today at
the coroners investigation of the kill
Ing Of Alexander Halliday that thew
fired several shots into the mob that
was demanding admission to the
county jail and court house Thursday
night has renewed the antincgro ael-
talon and the situation tonight is
acute
Three hundred militiamen began
patrolling the streets at dusk in an.
ticipaton of trouble. The town is
practically under martial law.
The coroner's inquest resolved itself
into moro of a grand jury quiz than
the usual formal proceedings before
a coroner. The jurymen mostly bust
ness men. could hardly restrain them
selves when the negroes were on the
stand
Six Negroes Marked.
Questions were showered on the
witnesses in such rapidly by the
jurymen that the negroes quickly be.
came confused as we'll az alarmed
The jurymcn tried TO learn which OF
the negroes fred the steel jacketed
bullet that killed Halliday. They
eot admissions that the negro depu-
ties fired Unfortunately into the
crowd with shotguns and revotvers,
but none would admit having used a
Swiss rifle, with which it Is supposed
Halliday was killed.
The inquiry was adjourned until
Monday afternoon after sixteen wit
nesses we're examined The six ne
groes who participated in the firing
men low that their names have be-
come public. --s ----=------
Sheriff Weeps.
The killing OF one white man and
the wounding OF several others at
the hands OF negroes has brought out
protests from even the conservative
element
Sheriff Nellis testified at the inquest
that he had negroes because he could
not find his regular deputies. nor the
Cairo militia company officers. nor
white men who would answer his
call for help.
Tears ran down the sheriff's cheeks
as he told of his desperate efforts
to find men to assist him In protect
ing his prisoners. He declared that
the Cairo militia company, Company
K, was notified before 10 o'clock
Thursday nihgt to report to him I'M
Irediately to protect the jail, The
company did not put in an appear
eDos until six hours later.
BIames Governor.
Eellls said he obeyed the orders Of
Governor Deneen In leaving Halli-
days body in the snow In front OF
the courthouse for three hours before
permitting It to be removed
He also insisted that some one In
the mob fired the first shot, which
whizzed by his head, and said his
men, mistaking the shot for his sig
into the crowd This statement was
contradicted by George Jackson, ne
gro, who insisted that the sherih flr-
ed the first shot.
Jackson, Charles Huson, Henry
Douglas and T. A. Head are the ne
gro deputies admitting firing into tho
mob, The witnesses said the mob
leaders wore gunnysacks over their
heads with holes cut through for
eyes.
Woman Has Encounter.
Mrs, Rose MaIoney. whose pocket
hook was snatched by John Pratt, the
negro tho mob was after Thursday
night, had second encounter with
negro today. She lost diamond
brooch and. when she heard that
negro had found it. went to his home
She recovered the jewelry, but the
Iran insisted he did not intend to
steal II.
Drawing a revolver from her muT
she placed IL against his stomach and
said.
; cyou knew It was mine when you
found II. didn't you9 Say you dld
quick or IN shoot"
The negro then said he did rccog-
nize il. 90,