New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-30
Six Shot,; Homes
.OfNegroesFired
In Race Riots
1900 Blacks Driven from
East St. Louis by
Angered Workers

East st. Louis, May 29.-Three white
men and three negroes were shot to-
night in a recurrence of race riotinG
here, which eliminated in an attempt
BY rioters TO destroy a portion OF the
negro district by fire. Three houses
were RACED before the blaze could be
checked.
DESPITE efforts Of eight companies OF
Illinois National Guards, ordered here
TO restore peace, small groups of white
men persisted in forming, and the
me1c presence of a negro on the street
was the signal for violence. The po-
Iicc ostimate that at least fifteen hun
dred negroes have been driven from
the city since the rioting began Mon
day night.
The white men for several weeks
had resented the presence Of HUNDREDS
of negroes, who had been imported
from the South to work in packing
nlants and other industrial establish
ments here, and the report that a ne
gro had attacked white woman turned
the resentment into violence late Mon
day night.
Scores of negroes were arrested TO-
day when arms were found IN their
possession as they attempted to return
from St. Louis, Mo. One of the negroes
arrested carried bomb with him, ac-
cording to the police.
Six members of the Missouri Ma
tioueI Guard were arrested and
charged with having melted the white
men TO riot. They were released, al
ter having been held three hours and
their assertions of innocence con-
flmeG.
At midnight the military officers and
police declared the situation was well
in hand, and no further trouble was
expected during the night.
A mob of perhaps two thousand per-
sons went through the negro quarter
last night. shot one colored man, Sc
riously wounding him, beat score
into Inconsistencies, drove several
hundred negroes across the Mississippi
River bridge into st. Louis, Mo-, and
then dispersed early to-day.
Report of Insult Cause
The assault began after a report had
been circulated that white woman
had been insulted and two white men
held up by negroes, Just after com
mittee from the Central Trades and
Labor Union had attended a meeting
of the City Council to make a protest
against the Importation OF any more
colored laborers into st. Louis.
Shots were fired at frequent inter
walls, but only one negro is known to
have been wounded. He fled to St.
Louis and was found there uncon-
scious. with a bullet wound in his head
and three ribs factured. All negroes
were searched and if armed were
beaten into Inconsistencies.
Many negroes were given refuge in
the city Jail, and at midnight the police
tShiHldNt ludl N,OOO persons surrounded
the building, threatening to storm il.
The mob was dissuaded, however. and
rushed into the business section. where
streetcars were stopped and saloons
searched.
Negro Saloons Wrecked
Several negro saloons were wrecked,
and Mayor Mollman issued an order
for all bars in the city to close. Riot
calls brought out the entire city police
force. but the mob went virtually un-
checked. The 9th Illinois Infantry was
called and put under arms, but took no
active part in the disturbance.
Many workmen have been idle on &C
count of strikes, and it is estimated
that at least 5000 negroes have been
imported from the South to take their
places.
At the meeting Of the council, which
was held in the main auditorium of the
City Hall in order 10 accommodate the
crowd, the Mayor pleaded with the men
TO restrain themselves. and promised
that some method of controlling the in
gress Of negroes would be found.
Serious problems arising in the
South because Of negro emigration in
search Of higher woges and to escape
conscription, on Pags7.