The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-07-03
MURDER AND FLAMES.
Terror Reigns As Torches Are Busy and
Rifles Crack.

Last St. LOUIS, ILL.,, July 3.-Wher
citizens OF East ST. Louis awoke this
morning after the brief rest that foi.
lowed night of rioting. they began to
take stock OF the result Of the wave Of
lawlessness that held the city in terror
yesterday and last night.
The death list that confronted tine
city was known TO be at least 20, and
estimates ran from 75 to $50. Five negro
districts were burned out. and approx.
mately 300 persons bore injuries. Five
fires ragged simultaneously during the
night.
Rioting last night, which was the
elimination Of a series OF disturbances
which began with the killing Of a police
officer and the wounding Of three po-
licemen and two civilians by negro riot.
ers early Monday morning. was differ.
ent from most race troubles. In that
many women and girls took part in the
turmoil.
Women Join Rioters.
This element OF the rioting first man
ifested itself in the afternoon, but when
the disorder was at its height last
night white women took part in the
outrages.
A story illustrative Of the temper OF
the rioters was told by George Austin
OF ST. Louis. Mo-. who saw the mobs
AT work. White women beat negro
women as they fled from their burning
homes and tore off their clothes, he
said.
Adjutant General Dickson said that
military rule had not been established
and probably would not be. Mayor Mol.
man OF East st. Louis the adjutant
general. said asked for a declaration Of
military rule. and this fact gave rise
20 the statement that military rule ac.
tually had been declared. The adjutant
general said that transfer OF military
cases to civil courts involved so much
trouble that reluctance to declare mill.
tary rule was shown.
Property Loss Half Million.
The property loss due 10 the rioting
was heavy because the warehouse os
the Southern railway and between 100
and $50 freight cars were destroyed by
AIN AHt lOcr VIII alllOuUl W US
high as s5Oo.Ooo.
The broadway Theater. valued AT
100000. also was destroyed.
Hundreds OF negro houses were burn.
ed and thousands Of negroes are with.
out homes today. Nearly 100 negroes
were sheltered at police headquarters
last night. MIlitiamen made the rounds
OF the streets bringing negroes. especial
ly women and children. to the station
for safety from the mobs.
Burning OF negro homes began last
night about 8 o'clock and the mobs
went from section to section. setting
more blazes. AS the negroes ran from
their cottages. rioters fired at them.
and many fell back into the flames. The
burning OF the negro section was re-
sponsible for the greatest loss OF life.
Only one white man was killed In
last nights rioting. and he was shot
by negro sniper Two negroes were
lynched during the right and four were
killed by snipers
The work OF searching the ruins for
bodies began before daylight. and early
Il was reported that eight bodies had
been found.
Hundreds Of negroes. many OF them
women carrying babies. crossed into
st. Louis. Mo-. last night. AZ the same
time thousands OF curiosity seekers
from the Missouri side crossed the
bridges into East 81. Louis. making II
more diffioult for the police and na-
tional guard 20 restore order.
Five hundred white men were arrest.
ed by police and guardsmen during the
night,
Hundreds OF the negroes are employed
Continued on page eight