Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-05
Alteration Between Span
lard and Negroes Causes
Serious Race Trouble.
INJURED MEN NEGROES;
TWO EXPECTED TO DIE
Soldiers, Military Police and
Militia on Scene-Have
Situation in Hand.
HUNDREDS OF SHOTS FIRED
Citizens Panic-Stricken When Shoot
Ing Begins-Govcrnor and Adj
jutant-Gcncral Act Quickly.

Ihrec men were injured In a race
riot at Hopewcll which reached its
height OF fury shortly after O'Clock
yesterday.
AZ midnight. following the arrival
OF two companies Of soldiers from
Camp Lee, two militia companies. and
nifty military police from Petersburg,
Hopewell had quicted down. a COM
pany OF STATE guards dispatched 10
the scene by Governor Westmoreland
Davis also aided in quietine the dis
order which for time threatened TO
reach dangerous proportions.
The row began shortly after o'clock
yesterday afternoon when Spanard
named Gomez engaged in an altcrca-
ton with a regress employed as a
waitress in u restaurant. Gomez dis
charged her and the row followed
In the alteration. Gomez is said TO
have struck the woman and she i'm
mediately appealed TO her friends. BY 4
o'clock Il large crowd had gathered
about the place and several shots were
fired. The Hopewell police appealed to
W. l.. Alien. OF the Du Pont plant. and
IN an address. Allen sought to prevail
upon the negroes to return to their
homes promising their case would re-
ceiye just treatment.
The negroes left. but an hour later
returned and an open conflict In the
shots were fired, other negroes, at
tractcd by the shooting. rushed 10 the
scene; sesnei In nome momen, pistols oega''
trict known as Davisvillc.
TWO NEGROES SHOT DOWN,
ONE THOUGHT FATALLY HURT
Two negroes were shot down by the
police in an effort TO dispel the riot
ers;; One is dangerously. wounded. and
The other is not dangerously injured.
One member OF the military police.
who happened in the vicinity, also was
injured by flying bullet. His condi-
tion Is not regarded as serious.
Efforts were made to get into com
munication with Governor Davis but
specting the Richmond Grays word
OF the riot did not reach him until the
disturbance had about aubsidcd. Hope
we'll police, failing to hear promptly
from Governor Davis. appealed to the
authorities at Camp Lee.
Two companies OF infantrymen were
rushed over In automobiles and street
cars Later military police and the A.
J.. Hill Rifles were sent from Peters
burg, by order of Governor Davis. and
the Hopewcll militia was called 10 aid
the authorities In restoring order. An
other Petersburg company was ordered
10 stand in readiness to go.
Major ouindell. of Camp Lee. was
plaCcu In OF the SOiulerS ana
militia, and several hours after arrival
order had been restored. However, a
heavy military guard was posted about
the district and will remain there. so
authorities announce, unfit the trouble
has completely subsided.
SEVERAL HUNDRED SHOTS FIRED
By POLICE AND RIOTERS s
Residents OF HopewelI were panic
stricken when the shooting began and
for several hours few cared TO depart
from their homes. 1t is estimated that
several hundred shots were fired by
the negroes prior to the arrival of the
soldiers and militia. The latter. I'm
medately fixed bayoncts, and drove
the angry crowd to cover.
At midnight the police authorities
no further disturbance threatened. 1t
is understood that arrests will follow.
since the police were able to recognize
a number Of the ring leaders of the
gang. Several also were taken into
custody by the soldiers. it is said, and
,hese will be arraigned before Il mag
istratc, possibly Saturday.
Governor Davis and Adjutant- Cen
eral 10 Lane stern kept in touch with
ing a fresh outbreak and planning to
nsEvent further trouble. The Cover
nor was in the act or inspecting tiIt,
local militia when notice OF the riot
came to him about O'Clock. at that
time only mcagcr reports could be got
ten, but to be on the safe side he
ordered the Hopewefl and Petersburg
companies to proceed to the scene of
trouble at the earliest possible moment.
militia officers to hold themselves in
readiness for Il call