The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-29
Police and Sheriffs Report They
Are PoWerleSS.
Incensed by Importation of
Blacks as Strike Breakers.
5000 BROUGHT FROM SOUTH
Negro Saloons and Rendezvous
Are Wrecked.
Veritable Reign of Terror Lasts
Turnout Night.

Springfield. Ill. May 2s-Six COM
panies of state troops were ordered to
East st. Louis OF 1880 o'clock this
morning by orders of Adjutant General
Dickson to help the city and county
authorities preserve order, following
race riots early today. The order was
authorized by Governor Lowden. after
kilograms had been received stating
police and sheriff's forces were power
less
East st. Louis, May 29.-Two COM
ranies of the Sixth infantry, Illinois
National Guard, were on duty today.
and there were no signs the serious
rioting would be renewed
Chief of Police Payne today re-
ceived word from the secretary of
Governor Lowden that the two COM
panies of the Sixth Illinois infantry
stationed here had been called on for
assistance in preserving order.
Import 5000 in Six Weeks.
Mayor Mollman directed that the
sale of firearms and ammunition be
stopped until all danger of a recur-
renee of the rioting is past
! The mayor today said 5000 negroes
| had come into East St. Louis in the
i last six weeks, and he said he would
ask railroads 10 discontinue hauling
negroes here from the south by the
carload, and that he would ask en-
ployers not to attempt further i'm
portation of negro laborers.
| No important strike now is in prog
ress here, but white workmen have
Viewed with disfavor the large immi-
grafton of negro laborers in fear that
they might have been brought here to
break strikes during the summer.
1000 to $500 in Mob.
East St. Louis. Ill. May 29.-Hun-
dreds of negroes were driven across
the Mississippi river into St Louis,
| Mo, this morning when mob esti-
mated at from 2, 900 to $500 started
to attack negroes in the streets. Tho
mob followed a meeting of the city
council which was visited by mem
bers of the Central Trades and Labor
union to ask that importation of ne
gro laborers cease and on receiving
word that two white men had been
held up by negroes.
Shots were fired at frequent inter-
walls but only one negro has been re-
ported wounded. William Taylor fled
to St Louis and was found there I'M
conscious, with a bullet wound in his
head and three ribs fractured. The
mob dispersed shortly after o'clock.
Dozens of negroes were beaten, but
not more than twenty were hurt SER
iously, 1t was estimated. All blacks
were searched and, If armed, were
pummelled into unconsciousness. At
least fifty negroes were given a refugs
at the city Jail About midnight the
police estimated that 1000 persons
had surrounded the building and were
threatening to storm it. The mob was
| dissuaded. however, and rushed into
the busino SIS section where street cars
were stopped and saloons searched.
Several negro saloons were wrecked
and Mayer Mollman issued an order
for all bars in the city to shut down
Riot calls brought out the entire CITY
police force, but the MOB went on
virtually unchecked. The Sixth I'LL
nols infantry was called and put under
arms but took no active part
Mob Organizes at Auditorium.
Many workmen here have been idle
on account of strikes, and it was esti-
mated that at leas| 5000 negroes have
been imported from the south to take
their places This influx has been go
ing on since January l, but has been
especially heavy in the last six weeks
At the meeting of the council held in
the main auditorium of the city hall.
in order to accommodate the crowd.
the mayor pleaded with the men to
restrain thems slves from violence and
promised that some method of con-
trolling the ingress of negroes would
be found.
The crowd SCENE peaceable enough
until some one circulated a rumor
that white woman had been insulted
by a negro and that two white men
had been held up by negroes. Then
began a reign of terror. Negroes were
seized and searched. If unarmed they
were punished lightly. If they carried
a weapon they were shown no mercy
This continued internationally for
more than four hours. Governor Low
den was asked to send troops.
The mob began to dispense shortly
before o'clock and at 3 o'clock the
city appeared quiet.