New-York tribune., 1919-11-23
500 of Loyalty League
Besicge A. F. of L. Men
Guarding Black; En-
Army Captain Killed
Hunt for ''Reds''
Starts Trouble
Lumber Camp Lockout
of $500 Inflanes Union
Followers Against Law
Snccinf CnrrcsnnnGcul

BOGALASA, La. Nov. 22.-Three
persons were killed and several
wounded, one mortally, in a pitched
battle here to-day between men,
bers of the local Loyalty League,
composed of former service men and
others. and alleged union labor agi-
iators. The dead are L. E. Williams,
president of the local branch of the
American Federation of Labor and
editor Of The Press" union labor
newspaper; A. Bouchillon, and
Thomas Gaines, union carpenters.
The wounded include A. J. O'Rourke,
leader in union labor circ'e NOR
ally. and Jules Leblanc, former
army captain and member Of the
Loyalty League.
Today's trouble between the TWO
actions Of the Loyalty League, COM
rrisng representatives Of the Great
southern Lumber Company, builders
oG Bogalusa and other important busi-
ness interests. on the one hand, and
union labor, whose members assert the
Great Southern locked out about $500
'mployes because they would not tear
Up their union cards" on the other
,ollowed last nights action of about
500 armed members Of the Loyalty
league IN holding up ii train half a
Istsf
'earching it for "undesirables"
Grow d Starts Negro Hunt
After search of the train failed
% reveal anyone whose presence We
unwelcome here, the crowd started
out TO find Saul Dechus. a negro, al
ieged to have been active recently in
trying to stir up i'll feeling among his
race against until late hour. but Was
unsuccessful.
This morning to the surprise of the
Loyalty League men, the negro they
sought marched forth from side hiding
place and walked boldly down the prin-
opal street of the town. On either side
OF him. however. was an armed khite
man, one of them j. O'Rourke, a
leader in union labor circle, and the
other strong union sympathizer
whose identity has not been ascer-
tanned.
Sight of the negro, protected by the
TWO white men. maddened the Loyalty
ieaguers. They claimed the black had
been trying TO cause race rioting, and
aid not propose to permit him to linger
here.
Three Slain in Garage
Rallying their forces the Lo~aIty
Leaguers forced the impromptu parade
70 retreat TO l.. +. Williams automo-
pie garage. When called upon to sur
render tho negro then men in the
garage refused and then firing began.
ne datiant "agitators" drew first
mood. jules lie Blanc, former army
oi1cer, was shot through the arm.
nat only increased the cal of the
besl gers, who constantly increased in
numbers
"hen tn eattackers finally silenced
ne tarricaded forces in the garage
three dead and one fatally injured
we're found within. The negro, how
ayer, had escaped. Williams, Bouch-
non aAd Gaines apparently had sac
Nlcea VI IL lives in protecting the
Nsto. and O'Rourke had suffered fatal
wounds.
I'd O'Brien. former head sawyer Of
me Treat Southern Lumber Company
~'H -OiStu 10 lcdNc DORaiuSa by
- vigilance committed of which lie
anc was a member only few days
ago because, it was alleged, he had
oeen guilty of making unpatriotic re-
marks sympathlzing with the |. w. w
who who killed United States soldiers in
Washington.
Friday, in New Orleans, O'Brien and
another union labor man filed charges
oeiofe the United States Commissioner
against the committee. accusing them
2i wearing the uniform of United
states soldiers contrary to the aw
word of the filing of the charges was
teiephoned to Bogalusa, and incenset
members of the Loyalty League.
Meeting of the train flom New Or
ieans to block the entry into town Of
Objectionable characters followed. Ex
citement increased when search for the
alleged dis,osal negro was made ant
needed only the provacation to battle
which was given when the labor mer
accompanied the sought-for bacl
through the streets