The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-05-14
RACE RIOTS
IN CHARLESTON
Bluejackets and Negroes in Seri-
Gus Clashes-Many Men
Wounded
POLICE HURRY VICTIMS
TO ROPER HOSPITAL
Negro is Taken Off a Car-Beat-
en- and Shot Down on Marion
Square-Marines Detailed to
Patrol Streets.

(News and Courier, Sunday, May ID.
Beginning after a negro was ac-
crsed OF shooting down a blu"Jachet
at Market and Charles streets, IN
pool room, serious race riotlns, n
which blcejackets, assisted by some
civilians, apparently, attacked many
negroes occurred here late last night
and early this morning. Seven blue
jackets and eight negroes are reported
to have been wounded severely. At
least one man is believed 10 have been
killed.
Police were unable to step the blue.
Jackets from the naval training camp,
naval officers despatched additional
provost guards by n,otcr car, while
Il detachment Of marines was hurried
into town to serve as a, patrol. y lit
tie after midnight, because Of the Sc
liousness of the situation, policemen
and narines instructed all persons in
the streets to go home and stay there
Rear Admiral Benjamin c. Bryan,
commandant CT the Navy Yard. kept
in as close touch as possible with the
rioting and gave orders that as rapid
II as possible al the bluejackets be
sent by motor trucks back to the
Navy Yard and the naval training
camp.
Soon after the beginning OF the
trouble in Beaufain street. blaejackets
were accused Of raidi:S two shooting
galleries. They are reported to have
used these small calibcr rifles indis-'
criminately on negroes. Tho 5luejach-
cts, steadily swelling in number un,.l
midnight. proceeded uptown and as
they went up King street, wrecked
colored barber shop. An army OH
Ger and a naval officer. who hap
pened' alonG, took ai active hand here
and compelled tae bluejacEets tc
leave.
y Broad street nlotorman refused
TO bluejachets, it is charged. jerked
off the trolley They entered tho
car. took the negro out. beat him
and then shot hin, down. Another
negro was taken from q ca: on King
street near Market and shot down.
Persons in fashionable restau:an,
were unwilling spectators Of this.
While the several thousand blue
Jackets were in charge OF the town,
excitement ran high and wild re-
ports circulated swiftly. At $50 O'CLOCK
this morning, il was still impossible
10 get accurate figures with respect
to the casualties. Police and hospital
authorities were continuing their CT
forts to locate wounded men. Il WAS
believed that some OF the wounded
negroes were hurried home ~ friends:
and that these cases viii not be
known fcg q day Or So
Elucjackcts sent rs additional Dro-
vost guards We're armed with riot
guns by the cit: police department.,
and began their du1y Just about mid
night. 1t was then that the marines
also began service as patrolmen.
~ the earlier stages CT the ;:otinG
Lieut.. John 4. Petersen. .T.. l-ic:ii.
John X; Sandford and Lieut.. Iotn G.
Nicklas strove TO L"caIl up the rioters
and. at considerable risk 10 them
selves forced many bluejackcts into
line Other naval officers, later arriE-
ing. also took a hand.
All witnesses agree that the blue
Jackets were after negroes only. as
no white civilians were no!ested.
The marines doing patrol duty were
instructed TO search every person III
the streets this morning. Ever pre-
caution is being taken 10 prevent =
recurrence CT the riotil2.
Over at the Rope: Hospital the ac-
commodations; Of the emergency room
as we'll as Of the wards were taxed 10
the utmost by the constant in-pour of
wounded who demanded instant at
tention. In fact so rapid was tho
flow Of patients that the hospital AL
thorities were practically unable TO
keep account OF the admission cases.
The nearest approach TO a permanent
record that could be obtained from
the Roper Hospital al an earl; hour
this morning was She list Of those
cases which were o; sunicicntly' So"
rio.;s nature to demand further at
tention and confinement TO q ward.
The first case was registered Is
having been entered ct $50 O'Clock.
and thereafter the internes and
number Of surgeons who were on duty
found their services in continuous de-
nand. The police patrol was enua!l:'
busy plying is grim trade between
the posts Of call and the hospital.
A etornoofko nf Riot