New Britain herald., 1922-09-06
WHITE WOMAN AIDS
 NEGRO TO ESCAPE
Polls Rinsdale Mob, Bent on Lynchin6 Him


 With sticks and stones, 70 woodchop. pers employed by the Turner's Falls Power and Electric company, many of them southerners, pursued William Taul, q 1s year old negro. through the streets of the town. and besieged the house in which he took refuge, loudly declAripg that they would not no away until he was surrendered to them. Taul was rescued by the State Const.1s,.layy called from Lee.
 Taul has been employed by the Turner's Falls company on the high tension power line that is being con. structed through this town. The men alleged that he recently made insult. Ing remarks about the foreman, and that this evening. when charged with the onense in the center of the town, drew knife on | white man. Citi. zens of the town who saw the meet ing say that the Negro displayed no knife.
 Woman Hides Negro
 So infuriated was the mob which pursued TAul, that he probably owes his life to Dr. w. L. Tucker, who held back the angry men while he made his escape and to Mrs. Alfred N. War ren Of Church street, who hid him In her pantry while some of the men were attempting to force their way into the house and other were searching the outbuildings.
 A few days ago Taul had a misun- derstanding with the foreman of the crew, who told his men that the Negro had called him vile names. Last night at 7:30 members of the crew met Taul in front of McAsland barber shop and charged him with insulting their foreman. The young man denied the charge and hot argument was started. Some of the men in the party raised cry that "the nigger" had drawn a knife.
 At once a tall. rangy man who came to the Turner's Falls Company job short time ago from the South, de- clared that mo rigger ought to live if he draws knife on a white man." &C., cording to bystanders.
 Taul took refuge in the barber shop, the men following him. The proprie- tor. fearing that the shop would be the scene of a brawl, ordered every one out including the Negro.
 Holds on Mob
 At this time. Dr. Tucker appeared on the scene and as the men were about to seize Taul, ordered them to let him alone. For a few minutes his command was respected, while Taul crossed Main street and started tocross the railroad bridge. Then the mob be- gan to follow him, picking up stones and sticks as they went along The Negro increased his speed and the woodchoppers began to run. Then several citizens of the town, determin- ed to prevent Taul bodily injury, took up the pursuit.
 Gasping for breath after hurryins through back lots, Taul entered the home of Mrs. A. N. Warren in Church street, while Mrs. Warren was wash ing dishes. He asked her to hide him, saying that his life was in danger. Without hesitating she led him to the pantry, and closed the door on him.
 Demand the "Nigger' Then the advance guard of the mob arrived. pounded on the door and demanded the "nigger." She told | them that he had left through back door. The woodchoppers rushed out | of the house and began search in | the outbuildings, then thinking that Mrs. Warren might have been deceiv- i ing them. returned and declared that they would not leave the grounds un- til Taul was delivered to them.
 Alarmed by the menacing attitudes of the men, Mrs. Warren telephoned to selectman Thomas Kelley, who at once notified the State consta bulary 1 in Lee of the disturbance. The en- tire detachment of troopers stationed there came to the town at once and ordered the men to disperse.
 Few of the men in the mob are known here by name and consequent ly no complaints were made last night to the local authorities. It is ex- pected that several arrests will be made tomorrow.