The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-03-12
SPRINGFIELD
GATHERINGS
PROHIBITED
Sheriff Jones, Clark County,
Placed in Charge of Situa-
ton Growing Out Of Race
Riots.
CITY IS QUIET TODAY
(By Associated Press)

CBy Associated Press)
SPRINGFIELD, O., March 12-Sher-
III David Jones of Clark county, was
placed in complete charge of the sit
uatlon here growing out of racial dis
orders, which eliminated in the shoot
ing OF patrolman and a negro last
nlght, at a conference of military and
civil officials here today. An order
was Immediately issued forbidding all
pubic gatherings after 6 o'clock this
evening, and ordering stoppage of
street car service and automobile traf-
fic after p. m
Inc order means cessation Of all
traffic on the streets and closing of
all moving picture houses, theaters,
and all places for public gatherings
Mayor B. j. Westcott announced that
1t was the opinion of the conference
that the situation could be handled
by the sheriff and he was placed in
charge in preference to putting the
city under military or martial law
Troops Expected.
Three additional national guard
companies were due to arrive here
about noon swelling the number of
troops to $50, sufficient officials be
lieve, to cope with any eventuality.
Col. Robert Haubrich of the fourth
Ohio regiment took formal command
of the guardsmen today.
Chief of Police O'Brien did not at
tend the conference. The chief ex-
pressed the opinion that the situation
was under control and said he did not
look for any more trouble.
James White, young negro, cap
tured shortly before noon by a posse
of farmers several miles north of
Srr n of nt off hott t1@
fessed to police that he was guilty of
the shooting of Patrolman Joseph
Ryan in last nights racial disorder.
, they announced this afternoon. White
was brought to this city and lodged in
the county Jail which is strongly
guarded by Gordon of national
guardsmen. Ryan was reported i'm
proved.
City is Quiet.
Springfield was quiet this morning
following a night of disorder in which
! Patrolman Joseph Ryan and a negro
were wounded in an interchange of
shots between police and negroes.
| Three companies of Ohio National
Guardsmen, consisting of $50 officers
! and men under command of Lieuten-
ant Col. II. d. Horner. were on duty
with headquarters at the city hall.
/ Military law has not been declared.
it having been announced that the
! troops would merely aid the local au-
thoritieS in maintaining order.
The entire fourth Ohio infantry was
modified today in anticipation of fur
ther rioting here. but Colonel Horner
said he did not think it necessary to
call for the other units at this time
Strict Vigilance
Although the situation was quiet
and no further trouble seemed immi-
nent. both military and civil authori-
ties said they would not relax their
vigilance and are taking all precau-
tions TO avoid a recurrence tonight of
! the racial trouble.
! Machine guns are mounted at the
county Jail, and although the militia
men are not patroling the streets.
| they are under arms and ready to
answer riot calls. A truck with a ma
! chine gun mounted on ii is available to
make hurried trips.
The trouble. which started shortly
before midnight last night with the
shooting of Patrolman Ryan after he
had ordered a group of negroes to dis
perse, was the outgrowth of an as
sault last Monday night on eleven year
old Marge Ferneau, by an unknown
negro who escaped. Rumors that he
had been arrested caused a crowd to
gather Wednesday night and Thursday
night but these crowds were dispersed
when it was proven the negro had
not been caught. Crowds gathered
again last night but had been dispers
ed when the shooting began.
Racial Feeling Strong
Among the $4,000 population Of the
ntf 1~r,
negroes. racial feeling is strong and
although no further trouble is anti
cipated, authorities point out thai
conditions are such that anything may
occur.
The national guard companies or
duty here are Company c., fourth
Ohio. from London and two separate
machine gun companies with head
quarters in this city. The Marysvillt
infantry company is en- route here.
Last nights rioting apparentl,
came in three phases. The openins
conflict between officers and negroe;
came when Patrolman Ryan was sho
three times after he had attempted Il
break up a crowd of negroes at CenteI
, and Jefferson streets within blocl
and a half of the police station. Ryar
, is expected to recover.
Pitched Battle.
Later there was another brush IL
I which Shirley Shaffer, negro re
ceived a slight scalp wound and late
general pitched battle in which 2,
or more shots were fired between ne
, groes and officers, the negroes dodg
ing behind trees and buildings and tn,
officers barricading themselves be
, hind curbing. ..s,
While attempting to pursuade ne
groes to return to their homes ant
o desist from violence, City Manage
n Edgar Parsons. Mayor B. j. Westcot
and Police Prosecutor Robert Flacl
, were fired upon but none of them wa
= wounded.
Between 20 and 80 arrests wer,
made during the night includi, on,
, negro said to be the assailant of van
!, Police, however. would not confirm hi
, identity nor say where. he had beel
!, taken Most of the remaining prison
ers were held on charges of disorder
ly conduct and investigation. Amon
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