The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-06-08
The Tulsa Race Riot
Grand Jury Called to Investigate
Outbreak and Place Respon-
sibiIity

Tulsa, okla. June . - District
Judge Vatican Biddison called q spe-
cial grand jury TO-DAY as the first step
IN an investigation of the Tulsa race
riot, which. breaking out Tuesday
night and extending we'll into We'd
nesday. resulted in many casualties
and rluch property damage. The
grand jury, calling of which follow
ed the receipt by Judge Riddison Of
q letter from Gov. J. B. a. Robert
son, will be convened June 8. In his
letter asking that an investigation
be started, the governor also asked
that the conduct of the police depart
nent and the shc:in's office, which
he condemned. be Investigated.
According TO the latest authentic
report, nine white persons and II
negroes are known to have been kill
ed during the race clash. An estimate
places property damage at $1,500.000.
All this according to Gen. c. r. Bar
rett, commanding the state troops
called here to maintain MARTA! law.
was melted by "an impudent negro,
an hysterical girl and a yellow jour
mai reporter"
Representative citizens Of Tulsa
met today and condemned tbs city
and county law enforcement officials,
holding them responsible for the dis
astrous outbreak IN ADDRESSING this
meeting. General Barrett said that
while he was ordering the with
drawal Of the national guard from
Tulsa. there was no intention to re-
move the martial law edict until such
tine as it was shown the city could
care tor Itself.
A committee on which Mayor T. D.
Evans was denied a place was ap-
pointed TO care fer the helpless ne
groes, estimated to number more than
5000 and 10 expedite the work Of re-
building the burned negro quarter.
Most Of this damage was done by
white criminals. who should have
been shot and killed, E. j. Martin,
former mayor, said after he was Sc
lected chairman Of the emergency
committee.
"As the final outcome We must re-
build these homes, see that these ne !
groes get their insurance and get !
their claims against the city and
county, the chairman said. !
a final check Of the morgues def I
initely established the number Of /
white dead as nine. Among these, /
most Of whom we're residents Of this +
city. is Ernest Austin, 80, formerly .
of Houshton, \. Y. in which city !
an aunt, Mrs. Garry Worden lives, ,
Walter Daggs, manager of the Pierce
Oil corporation of Tulsa was also
among the dead.
Five Of the negro dead have been
identified Among them is DR.. a. G.
Jackson, shot 10 death while run
ming from his burning home. He
was one Of Tulsa's prominent negro |
and surgeons.
Many negroes left Tulsa today The
Red Cros offered to provide trans
portation for any destitute who {
wanted to leave, although no effort
was made to have the negroes leave.
Rain today added to the difficulties i
of the homeless negroes.
The downtown section tonight Will
be patrolled by TIE regular police.
a subscription of 100000 will be
asked, the committee announced to-
night and house: owned by the ne
groes will be reconstructed. No at
tempt will be made to rebuild the
business buildings, many OF which
were owned by white persons or
houses which were rented.
The committee also hopes to en-
ploy Immediately as extra policemen,
so members Of the American Legion.
A sum for their pay for 80 days was
appropriated after which efforts will
be made TO continue their employ /
mcnt with city funds.
Thirteen bodies Of negroes We're !
buried in the city cemetery here to-
day. The act was without ceremony,
it being said that feeling might fare |
up if the burials were attended with .
any ostentation. The bodies were !
Inferred in plain wooden boxes.
Tulsa tonight had regained its nor
mai appearance. the regular police
men patrolling the down town dis !