New Britain herald., 1924-02-09
Herrin Scene Of Riot ing After Series Of Dry Raids Conducted Under Leadership Of Young Of KIan.
Constable Shot Dead Sheriff Injured-Mayor Hides in Hospital Under Guard, Which Place Is Fired Upon by Crazed Crowd.
By The Associated Press.


 Herrln, Ill.,, Feb. 9.--Herrin, scene Of the miners riot of 1922, was taken over by state troops today as a re- suit of near riot last night between
 vets and "drys," in which a con- stable was killed and deputy sheriff wounded seriously.
 The trouble is result of the whole- sale dry raids which have been con- ducted in this (Williamson) county recently by reputed members of the ku Klux Klan, led by $. Glen Young, paid employe of the klan. A meet- ing of the Knights of the Flaming Circle, an anti-klan organization, was Tn session when a crowd stormed the hall. The shooting followed.
 Five companies of troops had arr rived this forenoon. The crowd which visited the meeting hall of the anti klansmen were headed by three of the four policemen Of Herrin, and when shouts of lynch theml" String Elm Up!" were heard, Sheriff Galligan communicated an automobile and rushed the trio to Murphysboro to protect them. The three are: Chief of Police John Ford and Policemen Harold Grain and Sim Stephens.
 Raiders Patrol Streets
 Before the arrival of the troops, the raiders, armed with revolyers and shotguns. patroued the streets of Her rim denying anyone they considered suspicious" to pass. All unable to give the klan password were search- cd for weapons.
 Before attacking the hospital. the mob shot out the street lights so those within the institution could not see where tosaim.
 Constable Killed.
 Caesar Cagle, a constable, who had been issuing the warrants on which the drys conducted the raids, was shot dead. John Jayman, deputy sheriff, who with Sheriff George Galligan, went to the anti-kan meeting to urge the conferees to disperse and go to their homes in the interest Of peace, was shot He was taken to a local hospital by Mayor c. F.. Anderson and ora Thomas, an anti-klansman, and the trio is being guarded at the hospital by National gusrdsmen.
 Immediately a crowd gathered out- side the hospital and began firing into the institution. Persons inside the hospital responded to the fire and a battle waged for a short while.
 The first guardsmen arrived from Carbondale at 1 a. m., and the "drys" then established headquarters at the city hall. several blocks from the. hos- pital. The guardsmen are patrolling the hospital 10 protect the mayor, Layman and Thomas.
 Crowd swears Vengeance.
 At an undertaking establishment where Cagle's body lay. a crowd to- fay took a solemn oath to avenge the leath. Cagle was shot in the back and side.
 Sheriff Galligan explained he had been tipped that the flaming circle Eas to meet in Herrin. and fearing rouble. attended the meeting with -ayman to eShort the members Co De peaceful.
 shortly after the meeting got un- fer way someone shouted the 'Kiansmen arc coming" and he and Ayman went Co the door and were net by the mob. the shcrif stated.
 The sheriff said he grabbed Grain md Laimon got hold Of Ford. Several .hots were fired. and L8yman cried: They got me"
 The sheriff then placed Ford and rain under arrest. and just outside he hall took Stephens in custody.
 faF ID. and The sheriff rommandeered a iassing automobile. drove 10 Marion. there he taIcph0nrd the adjutant .eHaHaI Tor troops and then took ihe hrae prisoners to Murphvsboro fs acks0n county.
 4 noon there were no apparent in- ications Of a renewal Of the trouble. Sherin Galiigan en route from Nur- hyslsoro to Hsrrin- was arrested at arHondaie in connection with CaEies cath.
 Patients Panic Strigken
 i uu1nber Of tf,e patieuts in ihe ospitaI became panic stricken and -ere reported as highly nervous to- ay.
 < number Of windows in the hos ital aere shot out. and the building bowed other battle scars" such as ullet puncturs5 drain pipes and 
 Jnst as the trouble in 1ferrin vas [ fts height. Leonard Sterns. deputy ircuit clerk and son of Cyclops Sam terms. uas fired on as Fe was riding ] an automobile In Marion. the ounfy seat-
 bullet rrazed his back hu' he was of injured seriously. He fs the kian