The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1919-07-31
TR0OPS KEEP
BLACK BELT
IN CONTROL
CHICAGO RIOT DISTRICT CALM
AFTER so HOURS OF TERROR
so DEAD.
DESOLATE SCENES

Chicago, July 31.-Seared and dill
apidated, its inhabitants bandaged
and frightened, Chicagos black belt
today was calm and orderly after
four days and nights of race rioting.
which claimed thirty lives and caus-
ed injuries TO nearly 500 persons.
RAIN DROMNS DANGER.
Practically all fighting. except oc-
casional outbursts ceased with the
arrival in the negro section of $500
soldiers, members of the militia and
national guard. Presence of the
troops and the fall of a steady rain
accounted for a cessation of hostili-
ties that had been an eighty hours
reign of terror for a district cover
ing approximately 3 miles
The rain also served to combat
the more than $50 incendiary fires
which damaged or destroyed scores
Of negro homes. Many of the for
mer occupants had abandoned the
most dangerous portions of the belt.
taking refuge in outlying districts,
some even going north to Milwau-
kee and south to Tennessee and
DESOLATION Is RESULT.
Desolation greeted the occasional
visitor who dared penetrate the belt
Windows shattered, doors batter
ed III, bricks and stones strewn about
the sidewalks, yards and porchos
marked dozens of houses raided by
white mobs. In many places house
mold furnishings, bed clothes and
wearing apparel were pulled out and
left in the street
On the cubstones sat lazily and
sullenly, scattered knots of negroes
talking N subdued tones 10 each
other. when rain fell they were
driven to doorways and shelters
The problem of getting food into
the district was taken up today by
city authorities and civic societies
Provision wagons had not dared en-
ter for three DAYS. Supplies were
exhausted and stores were closed
Today police and troops guarded
load after load of bread, vegetables
and fruits sent TO merchants in the
heart of the disturbed area.
URGE LAW AND ORDER.
Church and civic leagues, among
the colored people. harangued on
street corners and urged negroes
not to molest white persons
Law and order. they were told.
was the best way TO gain redress for
wrongs
Burial Of the dead in the riots
began today. Released by the coro-
EnIiGe
in the neighborhood where joint
funerals we're held.
TROOPS IN Gun BATTLE.
The troops were sent to the ne
gro district last midnight where they
were distributed thruout FIVE zones
and were given their baptism Of
fire in d rain Of more than 100 shots
as soon as they made their appear
ance. They returned the fire. No
casualties have been reported.
The downpour also helped to
quench the more than $50 fires at
various points within the black dis
trict. which extends from 31st
street to 58th street and for three
miles west Of the lake Practically
all of the fires were lncendiary, po,
lice and tiTcmen said
HOSPITALS FILLED.
Hospitals throuout the south side,
where the negro settlements are
located. have been filled to over
flowing with wounded Of both races.
More than five hundr who have
been shot and injured by heatinEs
are from tho hospitals, police esti-
mated. Several hundred others re-
ceived treatment a. home, II was he
lieved. Additional pleas for order
and regular process Of tho law were
issued bv public officials and lead
ers of botn races. Mayor Thomp-
son and Gov Lowden asserted the
law must rule and that rioters will
be vigorously prosecuted. while ne
gro civic leaders urged their citizens
TO keep within their homes and de-
sjst from molesting whites.