Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-09-11
Machine Gun Used


Continued from Page ons)
ment. After infantry reinforcements
arrived the square was finally cleared.
The South Boston district. which was
so turbulent last night; was considered
one Of the worst danger points and a
large force of troops was thrown in
there early in the night. For some
time they held in check the mobs of
polygiot residents of the peninsula Sec
ton, but late at night conditions were
! SO menacing that machine gun crew
was rushed over to aid them.
So fierce was the resistance Of the an
cry crowd to the efforts of the guards
men to preserve some sort of order that
guns were. levelled and the machine
gun was put in position. All sorts Of
missiles were hurled at the guardsmen.
shower OF stones SO endangered the
soldiers that the machine gun crew
was ordered to fire. Anthony Carr, "a
years old, and Robert Sheehan, ls, were
killed. and nine other persons, includ-
ing two girls about II years old, were
wounded. At a late hour the mob was
still uncontrolled.
Windows were broken In different
parts of the city but there was little
looting. When q window in the store
OF the Iver-Johnson Sporting Goods Co.
at Adams Square was broken, it was at
once seen that there was danger of
firearms being stolen. Guardsmen ana
in front of the window. One of the
marauders was beaten into insensibil.
ity and the others were scattered.
Police Superintendent Crowley is
sued a warning that it was unsafe
for women to be on the streets at
night. He said that the volunteer
police force now numbered more
than 800.
With the possible exceptions Of
teamsters' strike and the carmen's
strike of some years ago, it IS pro-
bable that never since the days Of
abolition riots has the mob spirit
been SO much in evidence here, A
marked difference from any previous
disturbance was the fact there was
no sign Of particular animosity
against any individuals, with the
exception OF now and then a cry Of
"scab" as a volunteer policeman
paced up and down his beat,
The crowd at times became en-.
ragged at the efforts Of the guardsmen
to clear the streets and occasionally.
as in the Scollay Square riot, there
were serious collisions. But for the
most part the throngs in the center
OF the city were undirected and un-
regulated by any unanimous pur-
pose.
Back and forth they ebbed and
flowed. AS soon as a square of Dor
ton Of street became contested
troopers would ride up at a smart
pace and there would be a scurry
for the side streets with much shout
ing and laughter. The overseas he'll
NETS on many Of the cavalrymen at
tracted much comment.
Near the Federal building there
was a chase which appeared to on
lockers from Office windows like an
amusing game Of tag. Troopers
drove the crowd before them through
Newspaper Row. riding at times on
the sidewalks. There was a wild
hight down Water street and a
stand at the corner Of Devonshire
street, at one corner Of the Federal
building. Down came the troops
and the crowd rushed down Devon
shire street to State and up again
into Newspaper Row. At times 1t
was impossible to tell which was
chasing the other The cavalrymen
finally succeeded in scattering the
crowd through side streets.
The outlying districts for the most
part were comparatively quiet after
the guardsmen appeared. Before they
came boys in the Brighton district
amused themselves throwing toma-
toes and other vegetables at volun-
teer policemen anu there were a few
cases OF window smashing. but moth
ing serious.
The appearance Of the water front
and a large part Of the business Sec
ton was that Of a ciyt cesieged. Inc
heavy gates on most OF the wharves
were closed and watchmen were sta
toned In front. All sorts OF devices
were adopted by shop keepers TO
protect the r property. Many windows
were boarded up, behind others the
shades were pulled down SO that II
was impossible to see what was
within.
Barbados OF various sorts were
piled up in front Of some shops.
Even barbed wire made its appear.
ence. Guards were scattered about
all the larger establishments. Banks
had armed men both within and
where business IL transacted at night
without. Guards at ONCE buildings
maintained careful watch and would
admit no one who was not identified.
Only one door was kept open in the
Federal building.
Patrolman Francis McNabb. said
to be the only unioa member who did
not respond to the strike call, was
assigned to the Park square theater
tonight. but was sent away when
members Of the Actors Euity Asso.
citation who are playing there, in