The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-04-04
ROT PgYS TOWN
UN9ER Martial Law


Tyo companies of State troops today
E'atrolled the streets of Rock Island
TO prevent further outbreaks Of the
rioting that has occurred during the
last two days and that has resulted
In four deaths and the wounding of
nine persons.
The troops were rushed in on spe-
cial trains, following a call sent to
the State capital by the sheriff. after
a mob attempted TO storm the police
station last night, but the police. fir
ing on them, shot to death three riot
ers and wounded nine others.
The dead:
c. Kelley, a blacksmith, Silvis, ILL.,;
shot dead during the attack Of the
mob.
Louis Orman. Rock Island: shot
through the neck and taken TO Mo-
line, where he died.
Unidentified man; shot to death.
The most seriously injured:
S w. Swinga, Davenport, bystand-
err; shot through abdomen; dying.
DIR. Alfred Decker; shot through
hand as he was bending over Orman.
Blank Leopold; shot through foot.
Unidentified man; shot through leg;
rushed TO hospital.
Five others were injured by flying
bricks, stones and spent bullets.
Frank y. Potts, of Winona juno
ton. was found dead in the hallway
OF a house near the place where the
rfoting of Monday night occurred.
Although physicians say he died of
apopleXy, il is generally believed here
that he was killed by a blow from a
policeman's club.
= In response to the sheriff's call. a
company of the National Guard was
sent from Moline and the Rock Is
land company was ordered out. The
soldiers were on the streets before
daylight. A third company from
GaIesburg was expected to arrive by
noon.
Virtual martial law went into eff
feet with the coming of the soldiers.
Saloons were ordered closed and will
remain so, according to Sheriff Bru-
ner. until quiet has been restored.
The rioting is climax Of a quarrel
between Editor John Looney, of the
Rock Island News. and Mayor Harry NJ.
Schiver.
Schiver. The Mayor and the police
conhscated the entire edition as UNIT
for circulation.
1coney was so severely injured that he
was forced to go TO the hospital.
as Went at TO tb5 P0 Nes once tn
copies OF the paper containing the at
tack on the Mayor. They were driven
back by the police. who used their clubs
when Potts was found it was assert
ed by the mob leaders that he had been
to get vengeance They started for the
police station last night. When they
attempted to storm the jail Mayor
They shot point blank at the crowd.
When the volley was ordered the mob
fell back.
In the open space left, as II receded. |
lay four men. while groans from the
crowd showed that others had been
One OF the dead bodies was taken up |
by the mob and carried back.
For a moment there was silence and |
then the mob leaders, Infatuated by the |
action OF the police, started towards |
nearby hardware stores.
Get guns and ammunition" they
The police, seeing their purpose,
FORMED and charged. They reached the
store first and with drawn revolvers
stood ready to prevent the rioters from
Before the Volley was fired by the |
police the rioters hurled bricks and
stones through the station house win
dOWs- They Jeered and hooted the |
Mayor and Commissioner of Safety
Archie Hart, who is alleged to have as
sisted the Mayor in urging the police
70 confscate the newspaper.
When the rioters fell back a great
heap of broken bricks and stones was
in the street in front of the police sta
The mob threatened to storm the fire
ntation because the firemen Monday |
night turned cold water on the crowds. |
After the volIey by the troops. how
ever, the crowd dispersed and the at |
tack was not made.
city and things are comparatively quiet
Workmen are clearing the debris |
from in front OF the police station.
A recall petition directed against
Mayor Schiver and Police Commissioner
Hart was circulated today. 1t is feared |
that this action will increase the politi- !
eal discord that is at the bottom of the |
,ofceent outbreak and that 1T may re- |
suit IN further rioting.