The Calumet news., 1912-03-27
10 Anticipation Of Further Out
break Regimen. Of Militia Is
Sent to the City
MAY DECLARE MARTIAL LAW
Controversy Between Mayor and
Opponents Leads to Riot
Three Men Killed in Riot Last Niqht
and Nine Hurt. Statement
Issued.

Rock Island. H.. March 27.-Three
companies OF militia ordered here by
Governor Deneen because Of the riot
Of last night, in which three persons
were killed and nine others hurt, were
in control of the situation today. The
identified dead are J. c. Kelly. a
blacksmith and L. II. Orman, a shoe
merchant.
The last three DAYS tie people have
been stirred up over a controversy be-
tween Editor Looney of a weekly pa
per and Mayor Schriver. The arrest
of two speakers addressing crowd
nilamed the friends Of Looney. In at
tempting 10 release the speakers the
mob hurled stones At the police and
broke windows i'm the police station.
The mayor ordered the officers TO fire.
One man was killed and a dozen
wounded. The mob dispersed. but up
on reforming troops We're sent 10 the
scene. The militia here consists OF one
company from Moline. one from Gales
burg, and ono local company.
An unsuccessful attempt TO sassin-
ate Mayor Schrlver at the city han
was made this morning by an uniden-
titled person who fired a rifle bullet
through the mayors office window
from the top of a building several
squares distant The bullet missed
Schriver who was standing in front OF
the window and buried itself In the
wall of the Office. Milltiamen and dep
uty sherins started search for the
person who fired the shot
Later Sheriff Bruner. after inves-
tigation. declared the shot was acci-
dentally fired by a deputy sheriff who
was loading a riot gun. A local paper,
however. in special edition. stated
an attempt was made on the life of the
mayor.
Mayor Issues Statement.
The mayor issued a statement today
when he said an attempt had been
made to restore order; that he feared
trouble last night, but while not wish
ing to interfere with free speech was
anxious to prevent disturbances: that
he spoke TO Editor Gardner. one of last
nights speakers. urging him to refrain
from infiammatOry utterances that the
speaker could say what he pleased
about his (Schrivers) administration.
but should keep within rational lines;
that Gardner said he would caution
his hearers not TO create a disturb
ance: that the police were subjected To-
all kinds of taunts and ridicule; that
they did nothing until three of their
number were forced 10 take refuge in
the police station; that stones were
thrown at Commissioner Hart and he
was jeered i'm his efforts to dispense
the mob: that shots finally were fred
into the crowd only after the windows
i'm the police station were broken and
a number of officers struck by bricks.
In concluding his statement the
mayor said:
THE whole trouble from its incep-
ton is traced to the fact that 1 en-
forced the law against disorderly sa-
Icons and chop suey joints. That is
what brought forth the attack upon
ME by John Looney's paper. and IL is
at the bottom of the entire disturbance.
Further public assemblages will not be
allowed until quiet is restored"
sheriff Bruner said he feared further
trouble tonight as his deputies report
ed number OF desperate characters
from nearby towns today carrying
around the word they will run the
militia into the Mississippi river to-
night. II Is also stated the riotous
conditions here may be repeated at
Moline as there is 20 be n political
meeting In Moline tonight.
Entire Regiment is Sent.
Springfield. H.. March 27.--Governor
Deneen today ordered the entire sixth
regiment of the Illinois militia 60 pro-
ceed 10 Rock Island to assist in the
preservation of order there. The re-
quest for troops came after an attempt
to assassinatc Mayor Schriver.
Nav Declare Martial Law.
Springfield. ILL.,. March 27.-Governor
Dencen has been asked by Sheriff Bru-
ner Of Rock Island. 20 declare martial
law I'm Rock Island. and has referred
the request 20 Attorney General Stead
for an opinion on the governors pow
crs. Adj Gen. Dickson will act as
Deneen's representative at Rock ISL
and. The governor states he Will await
the report ot Adj. Gen, Dickson before
he viii decide whether martial law
viii he proclaimed.