Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-28
Whites and Blacks
in Clash at Chicago
2Dead, Several Hurt


riots in the negro district late today
resulted in the drowning of enc ne
gro. the reported downing of white
man, probable fatal injury of cnothec
negro. the wounding Of a policeman
and injury to a score of whites and
blacks by bullets or missiles.
Police tonight said they had the
situation well in hand.
The trouble started at the Twenty
ninth street beach. where whites
and blacks are segregated ard soon
spread to State street, the main
thoroughfare in the heart of the ne
gro district. which extends about five
miles. Shooting started near the
Beach. There was also osme shoot
ing in the vicinity of State street.
Although ill-feeling between whites
and blacks on the south side has ex-
tended over a period of months. en-
phasized by bomb explosions. some
shooting and numerous fights, to-
days riots seem to have had their
start in petty quarreling at the beach.
Reports that negroes wandered
across the di<'ding line to the white
section of the beach and that whites
amused themselves by the throwing
of small stones at negroes in bath
ing. appeared the most plausible
cause. Soon after the fighting start
ed negro fed pursued by num-
Der of whites.
He took shelter behind a building
and began shooting at 2 policeman
who had joined the pursuit and who
rethrned the fire. The negro finally
surrendered.
During the fighting, one negro was
probably fatally wounded. twenty
ninth street was soon packed with
whites and blacks. the latter predom-
mating. More fighting occurred and
few shots were fired as some of
the negroes fed and patrol wagons
loaded with blue coats raced to the
scene. A fire broke out in small
building and fire apparatus was
blocked by the throngs. Negroes are
said to have tried to drag the fire.
men from their seats.
During tie fighting, rocks, bricks and
other missiles were hurled. both at the
beach and at various points along -stn
and State street, while white men were
frequently attacked and beaten on
State street. the police said.
At the beach while missiles were fly
ing a neg.o on raft was reported 10
have been struck with rock ana
hurled into the lake. Later the oooy
of a negro was taken from the water
A white man. a swimmer, also was
reported hit and drowned.
With the police stations emptied OF
reserves and scores of others rusneu
from North and West Side stations,
Acting Chief of Police Alcock ordereo
every available policeman on DUTY 10
prevent further outbreaks. The small
army of policemen succeeded in orins-
ing about a fair semblance of order.
Late tonight the streets of the hls-
tricts where disorders occurred were
still fairly -ell filed with people, Out
police kept the crowds moving ana no
further trouble was expected
Police we're unable to make an esti-
mate of the number injured because in
the many skirmishes Eames OF injured
could not b. learned. Late hospi'al re-
ports showed one negro probably fatal
~ wounded. another slightly wounded
and a policeman shot in the shoulder
Four other persons. including one wni
woman. were injured by missiles.
A rifle bullet fired by a negro grazeo
tine forehead of a white man sitting
at the upper window of his horse. He
fell! out the window but wfA only
slightly injured. The negro. according
to spectators. had levelled the rifle a
a policeman but a bystander STRUCK
the weapon upward. The negro es
capad.
The negro district has been steadily
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