The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-02-20
ANTI. NEGRO FEEllNG IN CAIRO,
ILLINOIS, THREATENS MORE
TROUBLE.
SITUATION IS SERIOUS
Admission by Special colorcd Deputy
SheriHs That They Fired Upon the
Mob Arousos Anger OF People to
Pitch That May Result IN Further
Bloodshcd-Black Men Arc Marked.

Cairo, IN, Feb ls.- Statements
made today by negro special deputy
sheriffs III the cor"ncr's investigation
Of the killing of Alexander Halliday
mob that was demanding admission to
the county jail and courthouse Thurs
day night. have renewed the anal
negro agitation and the situation To-
night is acute. Three hulufed militia
men began patroling the streets at
dusk in anticipation VI trouble The
town Is practically und,.' intrtial law.
The coroner's inquest resolved itself
into more of a grand jury quiz than
the usual formal proceedings before a
coroner. The jurymcn. mostly bust
ness men. could hardly restrain them
selves when the negroes were on the
stand.
Questions were showered on the wit
nesses In such rapidlty by the jury
men that the negroes quickly became
confused as well as alarmed The
jurymcn tried to learn which of the
negroes fired the steel jacketch
that killed Halliday. They got ad-
missions that the negro deputies fired
indiscrlminately into the crowd with
shotguns and revolvers. but none
would admit having used Swiss rifle,
with which Halliday was killed,
Marked Men.
The inquiry was adjourned until
Monday afternoon after 10 witnesses
were examined. The six negroes par
ticipated In the firing on the mob are
said TO be marked men now that their
names have become public
The killing of one white man and
the woundlng OF several others at the
hands Of negroes has brought out pro-
tests from even the conservative ele-
nent Sheriff Nellis testified mt the
inquest that he had negroes because
DC could not find his regular deputies,
nor the Cairo militia company Off
GERS. nor white men who would an
swer his call for help.
Tears ran down the sherff's cheeks
rs he told Of his desperate efforts 10
find men to assist him in protecting
his prisoners. ,He declared that the
Cairo militia, company. company X,
was notified before 10 o'clock Thurs
day night to report to him Immediate
ly to protect the Jail. The company
ala not put in an appearance
until SIX hours later. Nellis said
he obcye1 the orders OF Governor
Dcnccn in leaving Hallday's body In
the snow In front of the courthouse
for three hours before permitting ii
to be removed. He also insisted that
someone In the mob fired the first
shot which whizzcd by his heaa. and
said his men, mistaking the shot for
Is signal. fired first into the air and
then into the crowd This statement
was eontradicted by George Jackson
"a negro. who insisted that the sheriff
fired the first shot. Jackson, Charles
Hudson. Henry Douglas and T. a
Head are the negro deputies admit
ing firing into the mol.
Wore Gunnysacks.
The witnesses said the mob leaders
wore gunnysacka over their heads
with holes cut through for eyes Mrs
Rose Maloney. whose pocketbook was
snatched by John Pratt the negro tls
mob was after Thursday night, had 2
second encounter with a negro today
She lost a diamond brooch and, when
she heard that negro had found it
went to his home. She recovered tho
jewelry, but the man insisted he die
not intend to steal H.
Drawing a revolver from her mufj
she placed 1t against his stomach and
said: you knew 1t was mine whcr
you found 1t. didn't you? Say you did
quick, or I'll shoot"
The negro then said he did reeog.
nize it,