Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-07-05
REVOLVERS,CLUBS
STONES USED BY
SHELLPOT rioters
Youths Seeking Revenge for
Arrest of Soldiers on
Lark Start Trouble
many BULLETS ESCAPE
THEIR HUMAN TARGETS

Hundreds OF men. women and chill
dren, were crushed and in some cases
injured, by stones and clubs at She'll
pot Park last evening when a mob OF
i've hundred or more men and boys
took possession Of the park. During
the riot. pistols we're brought into
play and farmers living near the park
were in danger of being shot by the
stray bullets. One arrest was made,
the prisoner being John Thomas, a
youth, who was fined So and costs by
Magistrate Broman today on a charge
Of disorderly conduct, preferred by
James Il. Henry, manager OF the park.
The authorities are seeking others
who are known TO have participated
in the riot.
During the riot the mob rushed
the restaurant. overturning tables,
chairs and other stands and stones
were hurled by the members of the
mob, who had become incensed over
The arrest OF several soldiers at the
park on Tuesday evening, after they
had shot up the park by discharging
their weapons. As a result OF this
lndiscriminate shooting, which was
GERS. the friends Of the young men are
alleged TO have gone to the park last
night to get revenge.
The trouble occurred at $50 o'clock
while Mr.. Henry was at Brandywine
Springs Park. and continued from
that hour until early this morning.
At one time. the eleven police officers
on duty at the park, who are SJate
nnaaNH II n.un
against the mob and only the cooiness
o. Mr. Henry, who arrived at 1890
o'clock When the fighting was In full
blast. prevented the officers from us
ing their clubs and weapons on the
mob When Mr. Henry arrived the
mob had reached place near the
petk restaurant and It was here thai
Thomas was arrested. He was strik
ing right and left, and according Z
John W. Bradley, a park employe
who was assaulted by the mob mem.
hers. Thomas WAS one OF those who
hit him.
According n Mr.. Henry, he saw
Thomas in the gasp Of olive NJ. Hum.
phries, a waitress at the cafe who had
grabbed the youth about the neck and
was holding him for the officers.
When released Thomas made one ol
two plunges at Mr. Henry, who snap.
ped a pair of handouts on the mans
wrists and he was taken away fol
safe keeping. This appeared TO in.
cense the mob who started to rush
Mr.. Henry, making threats and throw
ing stones. Il was finally necessary
for Mr.. Henry to get his park police
who were in uniform, together anc
they worked their way to Mr.. Henry
residence. Here the mob was brought
to a stand, Mr.. Henry and Mrs. Henr,
Appealing to the mob to disperse and
cease their fighting. The men hoot
ed this request and fearing for The
lives of those who were in the parl
and not involved in the fighting, Mr.
Henry called police headquarters here
and stated that a mob Of half thous
and was in possession Of the park
He asked that help be sent. This wa
at 11.20 O'Clock and according to Mr.
Henry, he was informed that all thu
police were busy but that help woul'
be sent IN twenty minutes. No on
GERS arrived from this city, however
Thomas was brought to this cit,
by a plain clothes officer about mid
night, the mob still remaining at tn
park, seeking him. Shortly after
wards the mob broke up, MAXIM
threats Of invading the park again "a
night.
The affair, which It is though
Continued ON Page Two)