Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-04
MOB IS PREPARED
TO RESIST DRAFT.
Heavily Armed. 200 Men Will
Give Battle to Au-
thorities.
STATE TROOPS MAY BE SENT
Marching Rioters Threa IN
Towns. Kill Live Stock and
Destroy Property.
STATE TROOPS MAY BE SENT


Pontotoc and Seminole Counties. in the
south-central portion OF Oklahoma.
where to-day the first armed outbreak
against the draft took place. and
where small army Of approximately
zoo men. heavily armed. has taken
possession of large section and is
preparing to resist being drafted
Governor williams tonight is in con-
ference with Adjutant General carp
concerning the sending Of troops to
marching rioters.
II Is believed that the outbreak has
been smolderinG for some time, and
tenant white farmers secretly banded
together and laid plans to resist the
draft.
Armed with long-rangc rifles. the
rebels are marching on Ada. There It
is their avo"ed intention to seize mu-
nitions and make a desperate fight
against any forces that might oppose
them. The army is growing as It
marches through the farming districts.
GOVERNOR APPEALED
TO FOR ASSISTANCE
County officials OF wewoka have
sent appeals for assistance to Gov
ernor Williams. The mob is reported
to have entered Sasakwa late this
afternoon. and. breaking into two
hardware stores. coniiscated a quantity
of firearms and munitions. The motley
crowd. part of which was before
armed only with revolvers shotgun.
and pitchforks, equipped itself fully
with rifles and cartridges at the seized
stores.
Through all the farm country that
the rebels are travers:ng their force
is being multiplied by volunteers and
by conscripts whom they impress into
their ranks. Where these men do not
join willingly their property is dam.
aged and they are compelled to join
the marchers.
posse of 200 armed citizens in auto
mobiles left Ada to intercept itS
marchers. y battle Is expected whe n
the forces meet,
Most OF the rebels are tenant farm
eis. Many of them are negroes. They
are marching the roads singing wildly
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
and John Browns Body" Statements
gathered from two frightened boys
who were impressed by the mob. hut
licve themselves forerunncrs of revo-
luton which is to spread throughout
the country.
The first violence committed by the
rioters was the dynamitinG Of the Fris-
co railroad bridge at Francis. Traffic
was delayed twelve hours. Officers of
Pottawatomie and Okmulsee. fearing
that the insurrec,icr will spread into
capital with appeals for aid.
Governor Williams has authorized
civilian posses to protect the com
munities. 1t is their intention to COM
bine when the rebels are sighted and
have sent posses in pursuit. and armed
men from lioldenville and Wewoka
are patrolling the roads.
MUCH OF THE TROUBLE
Is ATTRIBUTED TO I. w. w.
Much OF the trouble is said to be
attributed to the w. W.. who are
said to have a strong organization in
Okfuskee County. Members OF the or
Eanization are said to have incited the
farmers TO rebellion. Since the draft
law went INTO effect many farmers have
abandoned their crops. turned their
live stock loose and have been living
Il w.ld life in the open Many :,r-
rests of members of the organization
and also members OF the Jones family.
"A smaller band Of the same cult, have
been made
The rioters are cutting Ill telephone
and telegraph wires. Meager reports
from the section where the bridges
were dynamited said that Deputy
Sheriff J. w. Gross was shot while at
tempting to hold back the on:oming
marchcrs Sheriff Grail and Deputy
Gross. OF Seminole. are also said 10
have engaged in battle with the mob.
a mass-meeting Was called at Ada
to resist the rebels and while the
citizens stood in the public square
arms were distributed to them. They
We're given instructions by the au.
thorities to prevent the rebels fror,
entering Ada at any cost. watch tires.
illuminating large stretches of country.
have been lighted about the town 10
prevent the advancing army from ap.
preaching Lnnoticed. Men on horse
back and in automobiles are picks stc,i
along the roads to give the first warn
ing. Representatives Of Adjutant Gen :
eral carp and Governor williams are
expected 10 leave Oklahoma City for
Ada to help the citizens organize
as ainst invasion.