Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-06-16

by the mob in the station and
and three others also held IN {
acquitted and turned back to the police.
Shortly after midnight the mob shll
surrounded the police station but there
was no indication of further trouble
The police believe the mob would dis
perse in a few hoyrs without other dis
order
The first negro lynched was taken
about two blocks from the police station
to the corner of First Street and Second
Avenue, East, where rope was thrown
over telephone pole. As the negro was
yanked into the air the rope broke and
he tumbled to the ground. lie was held
until another rope was procured and
the execution proceeded without further
interruption.
The attack on the girl is alleged to
have occurred last night at the circus
grounds here. The negroes, employed
with circus, were rounded up by the
police after the girls story had been
were arrested several miles from here.
Start After Others.
1t was reported that three or four
trucks and automobiles loaded with mem
bers of the mob had started at midnight
toward Virginia. where it was SAID
other negroes had been arrested in con-
nection with the same case.
The circus with which the negroes
were roustabouts was in Virginia Tues
day and il was said eight negroes were
taken into custody there, but only four
held.
One report was that the Virginia
authorities and John Murphy. Duluth's $
chief of police, had started back to
Duluth with these four suspects before
the mob trouble broke out here. but it
was understood that the party had been
diverted to another city.
All Protest Innocence.
The negroes hanged were Isaac Nc
Chic. Elmer Jackson and Nate Green. all
about 90 years old They were lynched
in the order named at IL 80 p. m. / 80
u. m and 11:45 p. m, respectively.
All professed their innocence.
First indications the downtown dis
trict received of the trouble brewing
CAME at Z O'Clock, when trucks loaded
with men dashed up and down the prln-
cipal streets, the men calling for volun-
teers to avenge the wrong done the
white girl.
There was ready response and it was
estimated that the mob numbered o,o0O
Sn0ftlN AIleT . - tEpIh- L hfh tiAN N'NHhA-
ing of the Jail began On both streets
the mob gathered. surging toward both
front and rear entrances simultaneously.
Word of its coming had reached the po-
lice and preparations had been made 10
put up n fight with streams of wafer
from fire hose.
Attack From Rear.
The first concerted attack was made
ha h1fglI
was pile of bricks, used on con
structiou job, and of this the mob took
onick advantage. Bricks were sent fly
ing through windows and against the
rear door. which finally gave IN.
This let the mob into the basement,
and as il started up the stairs to the
first floor. strong streams OF water
washed its members back.
Bricks again were brought into play
and as the battle waged at the rear or
the building other members OF the mop
obtained section of fire hose, mace
connection at hydrant and started an
assault on the front entrance.
Mob Cuts Hose.
Here TOO. the police were prepared
to fight back the mob with water ana
in the water duel that ensued, neither
side had a marked advantage until the
oh managed to cut the police nose.
This caused a momentary retreat by the
,olice and the mob began battering down
the front door.
After entrance had been forced from
he front the police offered no further
resistance. realizing, they said. that at
-empts to use firearms would turn the
disturbance into riot of even more
serious proportions, and probably cause
extensive loss of life.
Batter Down Doors.
Within the police station the mob
faced two heavy steel doors, barring
the way to the prisoners cells. With
large timber the steel doors were bat
tered down after an hours attack. 1t
took only few minutes to force open
the cages and gain possession of the
negro suspects.
On the second floor of the station
mock trial was held. The three blacks
declared guilty were taken from the
building to Second avenue east and First
street about one and half blocks from
he police station.
McGhie was the first to feel the
loose. He cried for mercy, declaring
le was innocent. Two Catholic priests
,alled upon the crowd to let the law
AXE its course, but their pleas were un-
needed.
Priest Pleads With Mob.
One priest, Father +. j. Howard.
climbed Is feet up an electric light pole
md again pleaded with the mob to turn
he negroes over to courts Of lava des