The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-04
Bridges Dynamited. Property
Destroyed and Government
Authority Dehed
LATE DISPATCHES SAYS
THEY ARE ROUNDED UP
North Carolina Mountainous
Reported Also to Be Pre-
pairing to Forcibly Resist
Operation Of Draft Law

phonic communication with We.
woka at 10 O'Clock tonight brougM
the information that n pitched
battle is expected early tomorrow
morning between two hundred
barricaded members OF the anti
draft agitators who have fortified
themselves near Sasakawa, eleven
miles south of Wewoka, and fully
that many officers of the law.
From every point of the conf
pass sherifrs and deputies leading
posses arc pouring into Wewoka
ready for the attack on the for
midable fort at Rock Crossing. 1t
was there that this evening that
scouting sheriffs cut of a band OF
twenty men Of the rioters and had
them well on the way to Ada be-
fore the main band of the rioters
knew ii.
Weewoka, Okla, Aug. s.
Twenty members of the anti
draft rebels were captured to-
night and the remainder are
barricadcd near Sasakaaa There
they are surrounded by seventy
FIVE officers. who are awaiting
morning and achievements be-
fore commencing an attack upon
the gang.
Oklahoma City, Okla. Aug. a.
Troops probably will be sent to Pot
totoc and Seminole counties in thu
south central portion of Oklahoma.
where today the first armed outbreak
against the draft took place and
where a small army OF approximately
200 men heavily armed has taken
- ir
preparing to resist being drafted.
6 overnor Williams tonight. is in cs.n-
ference With 4AdjAtapt- Genera Earp.
the sending OF troops 10
put stop to the progress OF the
march ing rioters.
II is believed that the outbreak has
been smouldering for some time and
that the rebels" made OF negroes
and tenant white farmers secretly
banded together and laid plans TO re-
sist draft.
Armed with long-range rifles. the
rebels are marching on Ada. There
it is their avowed intention 10 seize
and make d desperate agilt
them.
Officials Sc,i .7peals.
County officials of Wewcl,a have
sent appo Is for assistance t. Cover
nor Williams The mob is reported
to have entered Sasawka late this
afternoon and brea ling ino two
hardware stores. conlisCs>te7
quantity of firearms and munitions.
The motiav crowd part OF which was
before armed on.F with reviewers,
shotguns and pirchforks. equipped
Itself fully with rifles and cartridges
at the seized stores
A posse of zoo armed citizens in
automobiles have left Ada 10 inter-
cept the marchers 4 battle is ex-
pected when the forces meet.
Most of the rebels are tenant FARM
ers. Many of them are negroes.
They are marching the roe Is sing
ng wildly THE Battle Hymn OF the
Republic and John Browns Body"
statements gathered from two fright
med boys who we're impressed ny the
mob. but who escaped. are that the
'ioters believe themselvs forerunners
IF a revolution which is TO spread
hror"h cut tho country.
''iroad Bridge Hynamlted.
The first violence committed hv the
iorers was the .tine OF the
frisco raflroad bridge az Francis.
officers OF Pottawatomia and Okmui-
zee fearing that the insurrectio.,
viii spread into their districts. havs
the state capital with ap-
1ea Is for aid
Governor Williams has authorized
william posses to protect the commu-
lities 1t is th@ir intention TO combine
when the rebels are sighted and give
,attie. Seminole and Sasawka have
ent posses in pursuit and armed men
rom Heldenvi}ie and Wewo,la are pa
rolling the roads
Much OF the trouble is said 20 he at
.ihuted 10 the /. ". w. who are said
o have strong organization in
)kuskee county Member Of the or
,ani2ation a-'e said to have inc'ted the
arp1ers II rebellion. Since the draft
aw went into effect many farmers
'ave abandoned their crons. turned
heir live stock loose and have been
living a wild life in the open. Many
arrests OF members of The organizatfon
ind also memhers Of the Jones family.
smaller band of the same cult, have
,een made
The rioters are cutting all telephone
nd telegram wires, Meager reports
rom the section where the bridges
rere dynamited. said that Deputy
Sheriff j. W. Gross was shot while at
empting to hold back the oncoming
narchers. Sheriff Grail and Deputy
Gross. OF Seminole. are also said TO
nave engaged In battle with the mob.