Putnam patriot., 1927-08-12

James Ryan. voluntarily helping members of the Putnam fire depart ment. was roughly handled and had his clothing torn. his brother, Alder man Charles Ryan. member Of the Hook < Ladder Company. had tho muzzle of T revolver pressed against his ribs when ordered 10 get back. Il piece ef hose belonging Co the city of Putnam was cut. and general free for all fight was narrowly avert- ed, in clash between members or the Putnam fire department and mem hors of the ku klax klan, at Il o. clock. Wednesday night The near riot happened when someone pulled in an alarm 0f fire from Box 32 en the west end uf Woodstock avenue at f0.55 D. m.. when they saw burning cross where klansmen were holding n meeting
 All af fhe apparatus in the city answered tho general alarm. When tbe trucks arrived. hooded and masked men were found standing iu line alens he side Of the highway. According tS fhc fire chief the klansmen were Hrmed with shovels. axes, pitehfefks and clubs. and at least one member, Louis Bradford of Dapieison. appear Iep to he the leader, Was wearing n revolver strapped ta his side n q hel- #sfer Ii WIS this array of armed menf aone hooded others not, that greeted thp 6remen upon their afrival near the hane of John speneer Out in va- cant lot the burning ennas nc the scene and an American far aoated rom polo.
 Orders Fire Put Out
 Chief Thnreton says that when hs saw what ihe fire WIS he gave orders to nut il out. The alarm had been runr for the fire, the department res- bonded for the purpose of extinguish- ing 1t, and che o1aeE to do so Mas given hv the chief.
 Realizing that there was no danger. the chief. after ordering the fire ex- tfnguishca. went to the nearby nrs alarm box to ring the all out signal. This was to let the citizens know thaa there was nothing to fear and also to prevent fiat driving through ths streets of the city by those hurrying to the scene thinking there was a SC rious fire.
 In the ineautime an attempt was made to carry out the chiefs order. The chemical hose was unwouud and James Ryan. while not a fireman, took the nozzle and started Co go into tho field where the cross was blazing. He was stopped by aeperal men and was roughly handled. l. is alleged that he was struck with some sort of weapon and his clothing was torn. lmmedia- tely back of him came his brother, Alderman Ryan. Following the as- sault upon Ryrn someone unknown cut the hose vith m axe.
 At this time f.ouls Bradford or Dnnielson. who af ae red Co be q lead ar and most ar iR member Of the Klan, ordered N'd -Ten kYan back. Bs he did SD. ae-a#iisz tC tlH alder~ man, Bradford rfs tna HiHk kzie ot hfe revolver nanr al t alder mans stomach. han Raan cal- led for inc arrest Fard, but there was no rcero request Bradford showed a eermt from tha State police to carry 2 Talver.
 Situation Acute
 By this time the situation was get ting acute The klausn were be- ing ordered Co keep Che f' men out The large crowd that had Ileeted be- gan Co haat and iees A was =s:ss- gestod that the hose be turned on the klansmen To this the cool headed fire chief said "No " and probably there- by ayerted serious trouble.
 John Spencer, on whose property the meeting was being held, told the fire chief that he would assume fun responsibility for the fire, stating that
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