Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-29

amp Va ant AAA~g sept gu
riot duty IN Omaha, left here at
and of Major f. r. Stone. Five
ers we're Sent
Omaha, Neb., Sept. 29.-Immed-
late investigation into yesterdays
rioting here with a view of start
ing prosecution of those RESPONSE
ole. is to be made. it was announced
at the county attorneys office to-
day. The investigation is to start
at once in conjunction with the po
lice department. it was said.
Fear New Trouble.
Although Omaha was apparently
quiet today. authorities feared
there might be a repetition of the
disorders tonight, and every pre-
caution was to be taken to prevent
d fresh outbreak of rioting. Addi-
tional troops from Camp Dodge ar
rived today to augment the forces
already here, and more soldiers
were scheduled to come later from
Camp Grant, Ill. General Leonard
A. Wood of the Central department
of the army is expected here this
evening.
Half Hundred Hurt.
Latest reports of the rioting esti-
mate the number injured all the
way from As to 60. Only two per-
sons were killed, however. These
were William Brown, negro, who
was taken from the county Jail and
lynched, and a white man beiiev-
ed to be Clarence Clancy, aged %,
of Omaha.
There were conflicting reports
last night as to how the mob got
Brown from the county Jail where
he was held for an alleged assault
upon a white girl but today it was
stated that the negro prisoners in
the jail turned Brown over to the
members of the mob after inmates
of the prison had been taken to
the roof of the building 10 prevent
them from being burned by the
fire which was started by the riot
ers.
Sheriff's Force Helpless.
The sheriff and his deputies, in
charge of the prisoners were chok-
ed with smoke from the burning
structure and were unable to pre-
vent delivery of the negro to mob
leaders, some of whom had gone
to the top of the building to get
him.
The condition shortly before
noon today of Mayor Ed P. Smith,
whom members of the mob at
tempted to lynch, was reported by
his physician. DR.. E. c. Henry, to
be somewhat improved. Mayor
Smith. who suffered a bad wound
over his right eye, fractured
nose, and a wound about the neck,
when members of the mob placed
a rope about his neck and hanged
him to a traffic signal tower, re-
gained consciousness ea-ly today
at the hospital to which he had
been taken. He was saved by po-
licemen who cut him down.
Mayor Smiths physician said
that while his condition was seri-
ous, he believed he would recover.
An X-ray picture of the mayors
would be taken later in
the day. the physician. said, at
which time it would be possible to
make a more definite statement as
10 his cOdnition.
Keep People Moving.
Soldiers from Forts Crook and
Omaha wer patrolling the streets
Of the city today giving orders to
persons to keep moving" No
were permitted to Congre-
gate on the streets.
Hunt for Leaders.
At police headquarters it was |
stated that they had not yet arrest |
ed any OF the leaders of the riot, !
but were making every effort to /
them.
The county's court house build /
ng, one of the finest structures in /
he city, was badly damaged both I
ly the fire and by attacks upon it |
1y the mob. Practically every win /
low in the place was smashed by |
bullets or stones during the at |
acks by the rioters before the !
ynching of the negro occurred |
Pistols and other firearms were /
Ised freely during the fight by OIL |
icers and rioters. /
Call on Legion.
City commissioner today order /
ID the police commissioner to en-
oil not less than 500 special po-
ice officers. A meeting Of the
,ounty's organization of the Amer
can Legion was to meet late this
afternoon when volunteers for spe-
.ial police duty will be asked. Ar