The Minnesota fiery cross. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1924-19??, 1924-02-22
AuthenticaStory Of Bloody
williamson Raids Related

repaired to the hospital upon learn
ing that the Layman gang was forth
fled there. Approaching the entrance
to the two-story brick building, the
officers knocked upon the closed and
locked doors, demanding admittance-
in the name Of the law. The answer
to the demand was a volley of rifle
and revolver shots, fired through the
closed doors into the group Of citi-
zen-officers. Miraculously, no one,
was killed. Unable to froce an en-
trance, and not wishing to endanger-
the lives Of patients and attendants
within the hospital, Young and his
aides withdrew. A they crossed the
street, the desperadoes within the
hospital opened fire upon a party
from second story windows. Under
Young's orders, members Of his party
shot out the street lights that made
them all vivid targets for the snip
ers. They also fred at the men who
exposed themselves at the windows
but could not conduct a general at
tack because Of tho danger to hospi-
tai patients.
With Layman and his gang in the
custody Of the military, Sheriff GAL
ligan under arrest, and the morale
of the lawless element broken, the
captors Of the chief Of police and
his assistant dared not carry out
their plan to murder the officers
but holding them in the Marion JAZZ
incommunicado throughout Saturday
and until Sunday noon, released Them
with a warning.
Investigation Continues
With Sheriff Galligan and his dep
uties under arrest, the county coro-
ner, w. H. MCGOWAN, automatically
succeeds to the position Of ranking
officer of the law in Williamson
county. He Is not looked upon as q.
strong supporter Of the good citi-
zens' cleanup campaign, nor is h0
expected to be of material assist
ance in securing evidence against
those men under arrest charged with
murder, nor in experimenting others
who are believed to have been in
volved.
In view Of these facts Acting Chief
Of Police Young is burdened with the
responsibility Of bringing the guilty
to justice. His Office in the city
hall is the center Of activities and
with his citizen-aides he is system
atically following up every clue that
will be Of value in the prosecution Of
the gsngsters who have terrorize6
this county so long.
Mr.. Young told me that scores OF
men who have been allied in the
crimes that have blackened this
community are voluntarily giving
him information now that the i'm
munity Of their leaders has crumbled-
These men implicate others, who are
Immediately sent for and Questioned
All testimony Is being taken down
by stenogrsphers, and it will make
up a record that is sure to convict
many men who have held positions
of public trust in this city and coun-
ty.
Leaders See Hope
1t is felt here that if the national
guard is withdrawn; the men under
arrest and their confederates who
have not yet been apprehended,
brought to honest trial; and perma-
nent injunctions secured against the
fifty-two places in Herrin and vicin-
ity that were selling liquor in open
defiance of the law; the better ele-
ment can maintain control of the
county and city governments and
conduct. them as inherently American
communities should be conducted.
Among the men who believe this
are:
George H. Harrison, president OF
the First National Bank.
Henry LeMaster, secretary of the
Herrin Building & Loan Assn.
H. d. Muille, leading merchant.
Carl Nelson, manager wholesale
grocery.
Police Magistrate Hicks.
H. A. Bryson, mine official.
H. o. Fowler, leading grocer.
w. H. Smith, garage owner and
auto dealer.
DR.. S. Channess, physician.
church.
Rev. P. R. Glotfelty, pastor First
M. E. church.
1 Charles Cargal, credit manager,
Herrin Supply Co.
Rev. w. G. Storey, pastor First
Christian church.
m City Aldermen c. G; Copeland
Thomas Welty, Chas. E. Durham, Al
vim Misker,. Carl Nall. Give out OF
eight members)
coincidence In Young
The best citizens of the county
have the utmost confidence in 8,
Glenn Young, who was sent here at
the request of a citizens COMMITTEES
that could no longer tolerate the open
defiance of the law that had come to
be Characteristic of Williamson
county. Endorsed by high govern
ment officials, and empowered by u.
S. authorities to act, Young was as
sured by the Khan that he would
have the active cooperation of MEM
bers Of that organization when need
ed, and its moral and financial sup
port at all times.
He is not a stranger in this sec
tion: Young remarked to me, with
a characteristic grin, mo wonder
these fellows that we've locked up
don't like me. and that the bootleg
gers we've raided think that Pm
nuisance, to say the least of it. Four
years ago, when / was federal
agent here, / arrested practically the
same crowd on very similar charges