Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-31
RAIN AND TROOPS
COOL HOT-HEADED
IN CHICAGO RIOTS
Officials Predict Quick End
ing of Five Days Fatal
Disorders.
80 DEAD, 500 INJURED;
NEGROES HOMES FIRED
Steel Cables Stretched Across the
Streets by Unruly to Delay
City Firemen.
By the Associated Press.

CHICAGO, July 31.-The main
negro quarters of Chicago today were
patrolled by 5000 soldiers, accoutered
as for war, after four nights of race
rioting that caused 80 deaths-17
negroes and 10 withstand the in
jury of more than 500 persons, 200
of whom were severely hurt and a
dozen of whom may die.
Gov. Frank o. Lowden ordered the
troops out last night on request of
Mayor William Hale Thompson, after
darkness had brought renewed riot
ing and the city's 5000 policemen
found themselves exhausted. The LIST,
I'd and Sd Reserve Militia and the
10th and 18th Illinois Infantry were
sent on duty by Adjt. Gen. Dickson,
while the 9Th Regiment remained in
reserve at the stockyards and the
9TH Reserves on the West Side.
Troops Fight Way to Station.
Fighting kept up after the troops
reached their Stations shortly before
midnight and one squad of soldiers
had to fight crowd of negroes to
reach their station at 41st street and
. Wabash avenue, while others were
fired on from ambush on the way to
duty.
Rains Dampen Rioters Spirits.
Rain, which had threatened during
the early hours of the morning. began
falling heavily shortly after o'clock.
1t seemed effectually to dampen the
spirits of even the stragglers remain
ing about the riot area, for they dis
appeared without waiting the appear
AnCa of SnldiarS OfSrQrS in
mand reported that to all appearances
the district practically was deserted,
and were of the opinion that this
marked the end of the disorder, which
for five days had gripped Chicago.
Thomas Copeland, negro, eighteen
years old. died today Of bullet wounds
received in yesterdays riots.
Steel Cable Across Streets.
With the coming OF daylight 1t was
discovered that rioters In q number
OF streets on the South Side had
stretched steel cables across the
pavements with the evident intention
OF preventing the fire department
from answering alarms and perhaps
wrecking the apparatus.
There were a number Of fires In
houses occupied by negroes during the
early morning hours. The police be-
lieve the fires were started by white
rioters.
Nights Most Serious Riot.
The most serious riot of the night
took place at. SD and State streets,
where 200 policemen fought nearly
Two hours crowd Of negroes, firing
several hundred shots before the riot
,ers were subdued and forty-five of
tthem arrested. 1t was only after the
lpatrolmen had chopped their way into
some of the buildings and seized a
dozen snipers with their rifles and
800 cartridges that the fighting ceas-
ed
Although many heads were cracked
as the police charged the barricaded
negroes all the rifle fire resulted in
man Emil johnson, driver Of a pa
troll wagon. He was shot as the DO
ilicemen dashed up to the scene and
thereafter 1heT the bluecoats kept in the
preaching the row of houses.
Minor Clashes With Roughs.
Before the troops had all been as
clashes with 'roughs. however. The
1rst melee occurred in front of the
shop base for the Motor Transport
Corps at 5lst street and Wabash ave-
nue. Nine negroes. armed with re-
volvers. drove back and forth in
front of the base, firing promiscuous-
ly, but hitting no one. A squad of
soldiers soon came up and gave chase,
capturing the negroes after firing
several shots at them. Ten revolvers
and several razors were taken from
the blacks. who were then turned over
to the police.
Fire on Troops.
Maj. Macy in command of six COM
panies of the first reserves and a
platoon of his men were fired on by
snipers at 5Sth street and Racine ave-
nue.. None of the soldiers was hit and
when they scattered and sought their
assailants the latter disappeared. The
first arrest made by soldiers, however,
automobile was searched because of
their rowdyism and found to contain
q revolver.
While the soldiers were taking their
stations crowd of whites surrounded
the home of John Coles, negro po-
liceman in Englewood, and rained
bullets at him and his wife. The house
was severely damaged before police
men came to the rescue.
Mail Delay Reported to Capital.
Interference with the United States
mails has carried the. riot situation
through official channels to Washing
ton. Federal officials limited today that
troops would be asked to surround
the post office. affording protection for
employees of both races and guaran-
teeing delivery of mail.
Failure of 1000 chauffeurs, carriers
and clerks to report for duty yester-
day was declared by Postmaster Car
lille to constitute interference with the
mails. the riots and strike being as
signed as the reason for the inability
of employees to reach their employ
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