Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-06-28
WOMEN Shout
AS MEN RUSH
JAIL DOORS
Tear Bombs Hurled
In Crowd When
Cops Attack

BEAUMONT, June Z6.-R1-A
mob which included several women,
early today failed in an attempt 70
storm the jefferson county Jail and
seize Rainey williams. 80. negro who
has c0nfssed eight attacks on Port
Arthur white women In the past
SO days.
williams was brought To Beau
mont from Port Arthur for safe
keeping after an attempt to lynch
him yesterday had been thwarted
by peace officers and firemen.
Arriving from Port Arthur by
motor after l a. m, today. the mob.
100 strong, served notice 10 intended
TO storm the jail. Surging forward.
leaders grappled with the sheriff
who stood outside the building fac
ing the mob.
Deputies stationed I'm windows
warned the attackers they were
prepared 10 open fire and the men
~retreated. Fire equipment was sum-
m0nd and four policemen joined the
sherIff's force.
Tear gas bombs were hurled into
the ranks OF the mob % stem n
second attempt 10 enter the jail. A
heavy stream OF water was poured
on the attackers. but firemen were
quickly overpowered and the hose
cut TO bits.
WtTen in the crowd for the most
part remained in automobiles ard
shouted announcement to the men.
Go in there men," one girl
shouted. Go on in the Jail. Where
are your Funs?"
Two hours after their first as
sault on the fail the mob admitted
It's efforts futile and withdrew. IA
rope trailing from one or the auto
mobiles.
Threaten 20 Burn Jan
When the mob first appeared be-
fore the county jail. Sheriff w. w.
COvingtOn attempted to reason with
its members. telling them that the
grand jury already had begun to in
vestigate the case and that indict-
ments were expected soon. He also
said Judge r. L. Murray Of criminal
district court planned 70 set the
case for early hearing.
The mob paid little attention To
the sheriffS speech. however. max
ing few comments Or replies. Several
members of the mob began working
with AZ acetylene torch.
Occasionally there were cries that
we're after that Port Arthur
negro" and again. this jail has to
be- burned down. anyway" The fail
soon will be RACED for "A new $1,000
600 courthouse on the present court
house grounds.
Later. the mob. growing bold.
rushed forward toward Sheriff Cow
CLINTON. graphing with him. The
sheriff discharged his pistol. and
the men who held him loosed their
hold and ran back toward the main
body Of the attackers
Tear Bombs Fail
On a second forward movement.
the sheriff and his deputies dis
charged tear bombs into the mob.
but the wind was blowing from the
mob toward the officers. and the
gas apparently was ineffective. The
deputies. holding their posts III the
TAIL windows. shouted for the mob
members TO fall back. crying, We've
got you covered.
Captain Fl. A. DoUney Of the
Beaumont police department, ar
rived with three policemen. ard
these lined up with the sheriff. The
mob apparently was augmented BY
about so other men. but In was not
learned whence they came. They
called to the officers that they were
expecting achievements from Port
Arthur.
Meantime. williams was confined
on the second floor NY the fail in
the death cell.
The mOb's fury apparently cooled
before the firm stand ~ the officer 4.
and the members climbed into
automobiles and left the scene.
The mob seemed TO lack ar out
standin gleader, although a Young
man did most OF the talking and
urged the mob forward.
Reign OF Terror Ends
A%N ANE-g a-AE1A 4AA4 1AdE 0lMaI
climaEed a reign OF terror in the
vicinity OF Port Arthur. during
which young couples, parked or rid
ing tn automobiles, were attacked
by a negro, In some instances the
male escorts being dubbed and the
girls assaulted The most recent &C.
tack was on Wednesday night.
After his arrest. the negro was
confined In a fire station az Port
arthur. but when a mob OF about
200 formed about the building. ne
was allowed 20 slide down a pole.
thrust into the rumble seat Of the
fire chiefs automobile and rushed
away TO Beaumont. His escape AZ
that time was narrow, however, Tor
the mob managed TO raise the cover
Of the rumble seat and almost Jerk
the negro from his place or refuge.
Tear gas bombs we're discharged
into the crowd. which gave way.
and In the confusion the fire chief
drove hts automobile forward at top
speed and made the 20 miles to