The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-10-02
Negroes
Trapped
in Camp
Arkansas Rioters Ordered to
Surrender on Threat
OF Attack
CAUGHT IN CANEBRUSH


known 10 have been killed In
race rtots at Elaine. near here,
Sheriff Kitchens. Of Phulips
county, stated to-day. Several 9th.
~ negroos nrc believed 70 have
bcrn killed. the sheriff derlarsd.
One white man and . number
of u~wroes were killed wben TIE
riots were renewed, early today.
The Others Lost their lives In
Wednesdays fighting. when
three white men aud five ne
grocs were killed and several In.
jurcd. The trouble started when
white officer was shot and
killed yesterday from ambush.
Soldiers from Camp Pike at noon
had surrounded a large number OF
negroes hiding In the cancbrush. &c
cordinr 10 reports received here.
couricra were sent into the cane
brakes 10 demand surrender OF the
negroes. under threat of an attack
from the troops. Machine guns are
reported mounted and the troops
ready to attack the brakes.
Despite the presence of troops
feeling In high. due TO reports that
the negro rioters were fully armed
and moved with military precision
and that the original trouble started
as result OF an alleged sedi,ious
meeting held in negro church al
Hoop spur.
There is not the slightest doubt
that the negroes were well drilled
and fully prepared" Mayor knight
OF Helena. said. They employed
military tactics thruout the fight"
Recurrence of the rioting preceded
the arrival in Elaine OF 500 veteran
soldiers OF the Third division. who
were sent there from Camp Pike
armed with machine guns. Order
was restored az soon as the troops
took charge
In addition TO the soldiers. sur
rounding towns sent armed citizens
to Elaine. Helena contributed 500
1850: MCGEE. rs. and Lula
Miss. 30. Three hundred reserves
were held at the Helena courthouse
Others patrolled the streets OF
Helena, fearing race hatred might
TO this city,
Armed Men Rush In
Shortly after the shooting OF the
white officer from "A negro church
the report was sent out
that $50 whites in the vicinity OF
Elaine were surrounded by 1900
nf tt,,
mediately began moving toward the
scene OF the disturbance from the
country. Their arrival
resulted In general clash with the
negroes.
one hundred persons arrested at
Elaine were brought to the Helena
Jail for safekeeping. They were herd.
ed into the town by the sherifr's
posse, which was sent to Elaine
when rioting got beyond control OF
local authorities.
Deputies feared II the, prisoners
were left in the Elaine Jail. an organ
lied attempt might be made by their
friend to release them. leading to
further outbreaks. The prisoners
were both whites and negroes.
Women and children were brought
here from the riot zone.
Race trouble started when w. u.
special railroad agent, was
shot and killed from ambush while
Deputy Sheriff Pratt
to arrest n negro on minor charge.
Special deputies were sworn in by
Sheriff Kitchens and sent to Elaine.
Two OF these. Clinton Lee and j.
A. Tappan. were killed.
CAMDEN. N. j.. Oct. Fear OF
an attempted lynching rushed the
trial OF James Whiting. negro.
with an attack on wom-
an near Merchantville, and in 80
minutes he was convicted and SEN
fenced to from 20 to 80 years In
he state penitentiary. a posse
nad been searching for the man
since Monday.