The Washington times., 1923-10-02
BDTHSI[)ES
READY To.
BAT TIE
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sixth State in the Union, or, fol
that matter, any other State.
In Oklahoma county, wherein
Oklahoma City is located, 5,OOe
''vigflanees," armed and determines
to prevent the slightest interference
or any overt act on the part of tht
minute men," were policing INT
polls. AT Norman, 500 deputies
were on duty; at Tulsa, close tc
1900; at Muskogee, 1000; in CreeR
county, 1000, and 30 on, depending
upon the tenseness in the particular
counties.
Cowboys in remote parts Of Okla
horna were riding the trails many
miles to cast their ballots.
Ballot Boxes Seized.
Early reports were that the anti
election forces were cowed and that
balloting was proceeding peacefully
In most communities, although a
strong element OF danger remained.
At Waurika, Stephens county, a
gang of seven men seized the ballot
boxes. At Durant, Bryan county,
District Judge Porter Newman re-
fused to grant a restraining order
against Sheriff John Conn from In
terfering with the election.
Progress in Voting.
state election officials here as
serted, however, that while at an
early hour it was impossible to say
how many counties were voting,
they were confident the people
would vote in at least seventy-two
Of Olxlahoma's seventy-seven coun-
ties.
The doubtful counties were Bryan,
Jefferson, Murray. and Harper.
Flying sQ,ladrons of armed men
in automobiles patroled Oklahoma
City, one of the danger points, .
where disorders were feared.
Mayor o. A. Cargilli q giant l.,
stature and fearless to the point of
recklessness. himself an ex-police-
man, headed an army of polling
place defenders. This army, COM
missioned to carry arms and act as
officers of the peace comprised
practically every business man in
the city.
Police Are Ready.
I'VE are ready for them," said
the mayor.
The full strength of the police de-
partment, all three shifts. were
placed at strategic points.
Teams, Of live men each were
assigned to each of the seventy-six
precincts in Oklahoma City, They
were supported by the eleven lying
equadrons OF ten men each and by
q reserve of 500 deputies held at the
Sheriff's office for instant service
as reinforcement troops.
Thirty high-poWered automobiles
were placed at the service Of the
reserve force by citizens.
John H. Shirk, an attorney, di-
rected the movements Of the flying
eQuadrons. Captains of the squad
rone include Baptist minister.
Not q shot had been fired or an
arrest made in Oklahoma City an
hour and q half after the polls had
opened. Capt. d. J. Ryan, OF the
police. department, told international
News Service.
Guardsmen Are Removed. .
The national guardsmen. who
Governor Walton had said would
prevent the polling places from
opening. were removed from duty
IN Oklahoma City at O'Clock this
morning.
This unexpected action followed
Q warning from Mayor Cargfl that
the city would brook no interference
from the military; that the civil po-
lice were equal to the occasion.
A few hours before, from mid
night until a. m, there had been
unusual activity on the part Of tho
military. Motor transports, contain
ing scores Of soldiers in khaki, APP
peared on the scene.
A tenseness prevailed during that
period that was not In evidence
when the civil authorities and tina
''vigilantes'' later took charge OF the
situation.
Newspapermen traversing the
streets on foot or in taxicabs were
repeatedly halted. This correspond
emit uas stopped nine times after
midnight in riding from the office
Of the Oklahoma Leader to THE
county courthouse, distance Of
nine blocks.
Militia I'm Tin Hats.
Each time the guardsmen de-
manded to see the special military
pass given newspapermen and
searched the car for firearms.
Tin hats and chin straps were
worn by the guardsmen. They car
ried their revoIvers in holsters ard
nobody went unchallenged.
Vigilantes on Guard.
A report at 1 o'clock this morn
ing that the military IN motor
: transports had started for the
county house for the purpose o1
selling the election boxes created a
stir In newspaper offices and caused
q rush Of reporters TO the scene.
Arriving in the darkness at the
court house, the reporters, as their
cars drew up the roadway leading
to the court house, found them
selves confronted with the wig
ilantes" who were operating indie
pendently of the guardsmen.
SHOW your passes" the wig
ilantes" ordered
Governor Walton's military pass
was examined in the light OF
pocket searchlights and promptly re
3ected.
I'VE don't recognize anything
Walton ORDERS" they said.
Sawed off shot guns were II
evidence There were perhaoi