The Mankato free press., 1918-06-21
MADISON lake BATTLE
LEAGUE FOLK ROUTED
Crowd Dispersed; Their Autos
Take Several Routes
KATO IS ON The WATCH
Number of Scraps" Occurred
On Street Here Yesterday
Afternoon

=
Shepn of their banners, whistleC
and jeered at whenever they were
recognized, and wet and bedraggled
after their reception in Madison Lake
the Nonpartisan leaguers on tour Of
the county, slipped through Mankato
two and three cars at a time, last
evening. Many took the back streets
to avoid the crowds, which were
waiting to view the ''triumphaI" pro-
cession. Others drove through the
city under the welcome cover of dark
ness. D. l.. Williams, league candi-
date for the state senate was last
seen tearing down Second street at q
forty mile gait. His machine bore
no DISTINGUISHING marks whatever
Dan himself seemed quite anxious to
quietly as possible.
When word reached Mankato yes
terday afternoon that the leaguers
were at Madison Lake and that a
riot was in progress there, crowds be-
gan to gather in the streets. Police
were soon obliged to clear the side
walk in front of the city hail. Other
calls coming from the village kept
the crowd at high pitch and there
was a great deal Of speculation as to
when the home guards would be call
ed out. Sheriff Osten and Captain
Roy Allison of Company C home
guards. drove uD to the police station
and the sheriff informed the crowd
that he wanted no disorder when the
leaeners reached the CITY. Thev We're
entitled to protection, he said and
who interfered with them
would be subject to arrest.
Captain Allison and the sheriff then
drove to the armory and summoned
about forty members of the guards by
phone. 1t was deemed best not to
sound the riot whistle and call the
men, as this would only arouse peo-
Dle tn greater extent The guards
left the city. practically without the
knowledge of anyone on the streets
They went in the direction of Madi-
son Lake.
Were Headed For .Mankato.
Reports continued to come in from
Madison Lake and Eagle Lake to the
effect that the leaguers were headed
for Mankato. looking for trouble. 1t
was said that the men had occupied
all the leading cars in the procession
and armed with firearms, were going
to ''clean Mankato No." The crowd
remained orderly until fracas start
ed near the corner of Front and Main
streets
George Schmitt a farmer from
NicOllet, ran out of saloon and de-
manded that an officer arrest Will
liam Aldo, complaining that Aldo had
struck him. Asked why the trouble
started, Schmitt stated it was because
he took part in the parade Wednes
day at st. Peter. The crowd began
to hiss and hoot and Abdo's friends
claimed the man had never been
struck. Schmitt turned to go back to
the saloon. Halfway across the street
he broke into run. The crowd swept
forward shouting, 'string him up
"oet the yellow dog" and, chang the
pro Germans"
Police officers sprinted for the rear
door of the saloon as the mob hit the
front of the building. Schmitt was
seized by the officers and taken to
the police station. Considerable diff
ficulty was experienced in getting the
man through the mob. At the station
Schmitt stated he had not made a
remark regarding the war He said
that Aldo had poked fun at him yes
terday at st. Peter and started trou-
Bile again today.
what kind of bunch have you
got here anyway" asked Schmitt.
The fellow admitted that he was a
member of the Nonpartisan league
but said he was perfectly loyal and
100 per cent American. He was in
formed that member of the league
stood poor chance on the streets
when the public was aroused, as ii
was yesterday
Another Fracas Broke Out.
Another fracas broke out few
minutes later when an officer at
tempted to take a drunk into the
station
There goes a pro- German" was
the shout. In minute the officer
and man were surrounded. Seeing
the mistake, however, the crowd dis
perscd laughing.
The most serious rumpus of the
afternoon Swas an attack on A. l.
Veigel. Mr.. Veigel, it appears had
heen in a mixup yesterday morning
with w. HI. Andersen and others, who
took large number of league ban
ners away from him. This fracas
happened on Liberty street. Mr. An
dersen made the remark that he had
a son in the service and in reply Vel
gel is said to have kicked him sew
eral times.
AS the crowd stood on the Saul
paugh corner yesterday afternoon
Veigel drove past in his machine.
"There goes that pro- German -
someone shouted and the car was
ordered to stop. The moment the
machine came to a halt it was sur
rounded by the mob.
you're the man that kicked me
when / said / had son in the serv-
ice," roared Andersen, you're yell
low dog"
Other epithets were hurled at the
man. Veigel remained cool and did
not attempt to make any reply.
s'1it him." someone yelled. An
dersen obeyed the order with will.
Several others joined in the fray and
before officers could reach the car
blows had been EXCHANGED thick and
fast. Policemen plowed through the