Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-16
Police Break Down Doors Of
Hall and Seat Hearst
Harrison Delegates; Mill
tia Inside Do Not Resist.
TWO CONVENTIONS
ARE FINALLY HELD
Sullivan Men Walk Out
When Hearst Harrison
Forces Capture Conven-
tion Hall.

lay was experienced today in calling
the democratic county convention and
the disturbance which for time
threatened to end in bloodshed finally
resulted in two conventions, one of
the faction, known as the Hearst-Harri-
son force and the other of the followers
Of Roger c. Sullivan, national COM
mitteeman. "
The victory, if there was any vic
tory, went to the Hearst faction, who
with the aid of the police and rein
forced by the direct orders of County
Judge Owens battered down the doors
of the seventh regiment armory, in
spite Of the refusal of militiamen with
in to open the doors, and took their
seats in the hall. s.&
The roll or delegates was called by
Election Commissioner Czarencki, q
republican, on the orders of County
Judge Owens, and lists of delegates to
the state convention were prepared for
approval of the delegates in the hall.
Under the leadership of John Nc
fCsiflen; chairman Of the Cook county
democratic central committee, the
Sullivan delegates to the convention
went to another hall to hold their con.
vention.
With two sets of delegates elected
to the state convention at Peoria April
10, the convention there will be obliged
to decide which faction is rightfully
seated.
After the police entered the armory
Captain Octigan was arrested and
taken to Judge Owens chambers.
The HearstHarrison faction won the
first victory peaceably enough when,
after the doors of the seventh regi-
ment armOry had been broken down
at orders from County Judge Owens,
the "H-H" delegates filed into the
armory while state troops made no
resistance At noon County Judge
Owens appeared at the armory and
demanded that the doors be opened.
On being refused he ordered the police
to break in the doors Assistant Chief
OF Police Schuetler then began batter
ing down the doors with an axe.
After the doors had been battered
down the Hearst Harrison delegates,
who had been waiting outside, filed
into the armory.
On the orders OF their officer, the
militiamen inside offered no resistance
and the delegates proceeded to their
seats.
While the doors were being broken
down some one turned in an alarm of
fire. Firemen who responded found
nothing to do and returned to their
quarters.
Until the arrival of Judge Owens
the two factions among the delegates
faced each other outside the building,
each armed with court order and
backed by men-at-arms.
The Hearst Harrison forces depend
ed on an order from Judge Owens d.
recting that Election Commissioner
Czarnecki, republican, to preside as
temporary chairman. When CZarnecki
reached the armory, however, backed
BY $50 bluecoats and 100 deputy sher-
ifs, to open the convention, he was re-
fused admittance by. Captain Octigan
Of the seventh regiment.
Captain Octigan explained that as
custodian of state property in the
building he would permit no one to
enter the building except those author
lied by John McGillen, lessee of the
building, as county chairman Of the
democratic convention.
The Harrison-Hearst delegates at a
nearby hall selected temporary Off.
GERS and marched to the armory and
awaited developments outside.
The Sullivan forces have behind
them an Injunction from Superior
Judge Mckinley restraining the police
the election commissioner and the
sheriff from interfering with the con.
vention.
Each faction ignores the court order
Of the other and several times clashes
between troops inside the building
and the police seemed imminent.
Exciting scenes were expected at the
opening of the democratic county con-
vention, which was scheduled for 10
o'clock today at the Seventh regiment
armory. but which was delayed.
Within the armory about 100 men,
bers Of the Illinois National Guard re-
mained throughout the night. Outside
q Gordon of police was drawn.
Both the militiamen and the police
were backed by court orders. The