The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-31
FIRE ON LOOTERS
Seventeen Men Have Been
Killed by Soldiers i'm Dayton.
One White Man Meets Sum-
mary Death Before Squad.
CBy Sam w. Small JrA

,
Dayton, O., March 31.-Seventeen men
nave been shot and killed in the streets
OF Dayton as ghouls and Iooters since
the declaration of martial law. Ten
We're killed between darkness last
night and daylight this morning Nine
We're negroes and the tenth a white
man. the only white man of the seven
Teen whese crimes brought instant
death as punishment.
Individual and squad firing was heard
throughout the night in the business
olstrlct where jewelry and other valu-
aples lie at the mercy of providers ex-
cept for the invisible lines of the SEN
tries bullets. After the curfew bells
tolled at O'Clock last night, the or
ders were to shoot to kill all persons
present in the guarded district who re-
fused to answer halls and obey the
guarosmen's commands and the orders
We're obeyed.
morning the sentry on post at
Th1rd and Main streets, the heart of
the business district, halted a young
white man who he discovered in the
deep shadows of the unlighted streets.
The sentry called upon him to ad-
vance, and the man stepped forward
and displayed on his left arm the bras
sler OF the Red Cross. He said he was
a physician and had been out on an
urgent call from a dying woman.
The sentry noticed that the man held
his right hand behind his back. He
demanded credentials. The man said
he had none other than the badge of
the Red Cross. The soldier presented
his rifle at the mans breast and COM
manded him to bring his right hand
from behind his back and open it, The
order was obeyed and the open hand
held two gold watches.
Find several Watches.
rail-
went ringing through the silence and
there were sounds of running feet and
the rattle of military equipment. The
corporal was shown the watches and
the prisoners hands. He held up his
lantern and scanned the aShen face of
the prisoner and asked him to explain
how they came into his possession.
The man stammered an evasive reply.
The corporal then searched his pockets
and found sixteen more gold watches.
Another cry was repeated from SEN
try to sentry down he pitch black
street. 1t was a call for the relief
Six soldiers at the guard post buckled
on their side arms. shouldered their
rifles and answered at double quick
time. The corporal told them to form
into a firing squad, standing in the
gutter. The man with the Red Cross
brassier on his arm, was led to the
steps of the First National bank build
ing and told to stand on the second
ing. The corporal posted himself be-
hind the firing squad. raised his Ian
tern so that its rays glinted along the
barrels of the raised rifles of the
guardsmen, and in Quick staccato gave
the three commands. The six rifles
spoke as one and the man on the steps
crumpled up and pitched forward. His
body rolled to the sidewalk and lay
motionless. Later it was removed on
a stretcher and disposed of.
NV
a firing squad, but squad firing was
heard several times during the night The
been shot were caught in. the forbidden
district with stolen goods and shot down
instantly by the militiamen who made
sure of their aim before firing.
Adjutant General George H. Wood, in
command of the troops. admitted today
that there was squad and individual fir
reports of any men having been killed
by the sentries. He admitted that he
might not receive such reports for several
days or that they might not reach him at
all. He said that the orders regarding
providers and men known to have been
engaged in footing were well understood
and he was sure that the officers would
allow no needless sacrifices OF lives.
Discipline Is Rigid.
THE city is under martial law and the
lives and property of its citizens are in
the hands of the men under my command.
Every order respecting the establishment
of military lines has been widely posted.
The curfew bells are tolled in all parts
of the city and the meaning of the warn
ing is understood by ALL
"Sentries have orders to halt every one
who crosses or is within the lines. They
have been instructed to use due caution.
They must give due warming before they
fire but their guns loaded with ball
cartridges and whoever diSregardS their
must suffer the consequences.
There was firing, both singly and in
SQUAD during the night. Some of the
shots were sent after providers. I don't
know that any found their mark. have
heard of no drumhead courtmartials.
believe that the squad firing was for the
purpose of frightening any one who had
strayed into the lines. No orders have
been issued for drumhead courtmartials.
There is no necessity for courtmartials
nnder the orders affecting looters."
Adiutant General Wood has 400 men un-
der his command. They are established
IN camps surrounding the districts az
fected most seriously by the flood. Sentry
ines are maintained night and day. Mar
+ial law is rigid and supreme. How long
t will be maintained cannot be forecasted.
n NAV be weeks before any of the mlntla-
men are withdrawn from the city. Even
after property is safe. the health reguia-
ions must be enforced and the local ponce
'orce is Inadequate for this purpose. I'm
Ter martial law all saloons are closed.
MANY workmen are to be brought INTO
he city and it is possible that the city
will he governed by the curfew ana mill
.ary law for weeks to come.
state Job for Miss Bresette.
Miss Lena Bresette, teacher in the