The sun., 1919-09-01
Mob That Storms Jail Gets
Drunk on Whiskey
Stored There.
RELEASES WHITE MEN
Crowd Then Begins Attack
on Negroes, Who Arm
for Defence.
MILITIA BLOCKS STREETS
Regular Army Officer AS
signed to Tennessee National
Guard Among Dead.
MILITIA BLOCKS STREETS
sp.c.a, ps.pasca 20 rHn sus.

.
Eve dead, including one regular army
oficer, and, twenty-six wounded at
Knoxville hospitals as result of last
nights race rioting and Jail delivery
this city listens tonight to the tramp.
tramp of soldiers who are guarding
every block. Adjt.-Gen. Sweeney is in
command of 1900 State guards who
were summoned from their summer
encampment near Fountain City. six
hmIles north Of Knoxville. at an early
hour to-day. They would have ended
their two weeks encampment to-day,
but are now scheduled for indefinite
service.
While martial law has not been
formally declared, it is in effect. Co
operating with Adjt.-Gen. Sweeney
are zoo citizens summoned tonight by
Justices of the peace at the direction
Of Criminal Court Judge T. A. r. Nell
son. These citizens are being armed
with what rifles and arms, as were left
after Saturday nights mobs had looted
hardware stores and pawn shops. Also
cooperating as a; third part of a triple
alliance to quell disorders are 100 dep
uty policemen summoned by direction
,of Mayor MILAN by Chief Of Police
Haynes.
All Negroes Are Searched.
Ia Great crowds Of white citizens assem-
bisd on Knoxviile,s streets throughout
Sunday. congesting at times various
\ crossings, Soldiers with poipted baye-
nete- ko3e3n8 mp snd sesrchipE all
negroes for arms, and htn5reds of weap-
ot,s have been taken from blacks during
the day All negroes arriving or depart
ing on trains were thus searched. and
similar action was taken with negroes
aboard trolley cars.
" The Knox county jail. which was re-
peatedly and finally successfully stofrned
and entered by Saturday nights mob, Is
4 wreck and guarded by soldiers Many
fof its white prisoners. including several
n charged with murder and one sentenced
I 10 be electrocuted, are at large. having
escaped during the mob visit The jail
residence, occupied by Sheriff Cate and
family, is also wrecked, as a result of
mob violence
Adjt-Gen. Sweeney reported the situ-
( alton tonight as good, provided white
citizens remain away from regro sec
tons of the city. Otherwise" he stated.
additional casualties are almost certain
70 result
The Adjutant-Generai and his stan
have taken up their headquarters at
Farragut Hotel, In the downtown sec
ton. but he will adjust his headquarters
TO the scene Of any outbreaks that may
occur.
Citizens Fail to Cooperate.
Z ~. A.
Of their superior, freely criticised the
failure of the citizens to cooperate in
time to check and prevent subsequent
outbreaks. Citizens began gathering
about the county Jail early Saturday
afternoon and their demands for posses
SION of Maurice #. Mayes. negro sus-
pected of numbering white woman, be-
came so menacing by 4 :30 o'clock that
the tailer addressed them, assuring them
Sheriff Cate had removed the prisoner
elsewhere. According to report the
Z Sheriff had taken Mayes at noon by
automobile to Concord, fifteen miles west
of Knoxville, and there boarded a fast
train for Chattanooga.
3. However, the mob refused to believe
hayes was not in Jail here. and its num-
bers grew hourly. crossing the Ten
4 nessee River. A shot fired about
O'clock was taken as the signal for the
irst assault on the strong entrance door.
The door held. Ba1tering rams were
constructed OF heavy timber and the
door was again charged. but Il held. An
automatic pistol was DISCHARGED into the
lock and shot the bolt. but the conges-
ton was so great but few could enter.
Led ON by Prisoners.
4 Mearwhile white prisoners within
egged on the mob by yelling that Mayes
was within. A more determined assault
was made on tile double windows ives.
Of the jan entrance. Window frames
we're torn from the brick walls and the
crowds surged in. Whiskey confiscated
by the Sheriff and stored In the base
ment quickly became the object of one
section OF the mob. and soon the liquor
was being carried out in quarts and
ptnts by men who were then content &c
sever their. connection with their fel.
lows.
call was made for assistance from
the state Guard and two squads OF sol
diers appeared, but their small strength
against such odds was so apparent thai
at first they were jeered, until some on,
started the cry of Who won the war;
Soon afterward AdJt.-Gen. Sweene,
appeared at the head of q battalion o.
troops, including a machine gun com
pany. He addressed the crowd and wa
given attention. He warned that tn,
soldiers would not be responsible fo
any loss of life. Other speakers previ
~. - .''.-'y c,it syairsy had attempted 70 par
ley with the mob, even repeating tn,
offer Of the taller to permit a committe,
Of twenty-five elected by the mob I,
search the Sail and be convinced tina
Mayes was not within.
Many OF the mob appeared to believ'
troops had come to help them an,
cheered the militiamen who came dow
the hill leading TO the fail with bayo
nets hxed. After many fist fights tn
troops took possession OF the Jail.
Near midnight message was receive,