Newspaper Page Text
THE MORNING NEWS.
Established 1850. - Incorporated ISSB
J. H. ESTILL. President. C
RUSSIA READY
TO APOLOGIZE
NO EXPLANATION ‘OFFERED
bit wile not uphold the
FLEET IN ITS OUTRAGE.
Still Unexplained Is the “Unwar
rantable Action.” as Ring Edward
Terms It, of the Russian Fleet in
Firing Upon the Hull Fishing
Fleet, Killing Two Men, Injuring
Others and Sinking a Vessel—Eng
land Makes Demand.
IN THE FAR EAST.
There has been no resumption of
fighting of a general character on
the Shakhe river.
Both Russians and Japanese are
entrenching their positions. The
outposts are within 700 yards of
each other, and less than four miles
separate the main armies.
A scarcity of fuel is causing the
soldiers to suffer greatly since cold
weather set in.
St. Petersburg has information
that the Japanese army confront
ing Gen. Kuropatkin is receiving
heavy reinforcements from the Port
Arthur army and direct from Ja
pan.
London, Oct. 24. —Great Britain to
day sent a long and urgent note to the
Russian government officially detail
ing the circumstances of the amazing
and unexplained attack by the Rus
sian second Pacific squadron during
the night of Oct. 21 on British fishing
boats in the North sea.
The text of the note has not been
given out. but .it is officially stated
from the Foreign Office that it con
tains the significant announcement
that the “situation is one which, in
the opinion of his majesty's govern
ment, does not admit of delay.”
Meanwhile the conservative public
and press are remarkably undemon
strative. As usual, the jingo element
demands war, and even in official
quarters some go so far as to say that
it may be necessary to stop the Pa
cific fleet, pending settlement of the
whole affair, though this extreme
measure, it is believed, will not pre
vail.
Everywhere there is evidence of very
positive opinion that this is no time
for the usual diplomatic dilly-dally
ing; that there must be no delay and
no limit set 'by Russia to her apol
ogy or the extent of compensation for
sufferers by what King Edward him
self terms "the unwarrantable action”
of the Russian commanders. ,
Unwarrantable, Say* Edward.
Foreign Secretary Lansdowne reach
ed London this afternoon and after
gathering the latest details known at
the foreign office regarding the firing
on the British fishing boats by the
Russian squadron proceeded to Buck
ingham palace, where he had a lengthy
interview with King Edward. The lat
ter later telegraphed a message of
sympathy to the mayor of Hull, the
text of which is as follows:
“Buckingham Palace, Oct. 24, 1904.
“To His Worship, the Mayor of Hull:
The King commands me to say 'that
he has heard with profound sorrow
of the unwarrantable action which has
been committed against the North Sea
fishing fleet, and asks you to express
the deepest sympathy of the Queen and
his majesty with the families of those
who have suffered from this most
lamentable occurrence.
(Signed). “Knollys.”
Resentment la Deep.
The deep resentment of the whole
British public, however, is reflected by
the incident at the Victoria station to
night, on the arrival of Count Benken
dorff from the continent. There is no
attempt anywhere among men of re
sponsibility to magnify the occurrence
into a deliberate act of war; but in
view of the present inability to find an
explanation, there is being poured upon
the heads of the officers of the squad
ron a flood of invective and insinua
tion, though Incompetence first and
thereafter complete panic is the most
generally accepted explanation.
Thus far no word has been received
from St. Petersburg as to the attitude
of the Russian government. The fact
that it had been decided during the
day to prepare a semi-official note ex
pressing the regret of the Russian gov
ernment and its willingness to tnake
full reparation so soon as the responsi
bility is fixed was communicated by
the Associated Press to Lord Lans
downe, and was the first Information
on the subject he had received from
s t. Petersburg. The absence during
the day of Cbunt Benkendorff, the Rus
sian ambassador, caused some difficul
ty, but the Russian charge d'affaires,
who called at the Foreign Office on
request by note from Lord Lansdowne,
unofficially expressed deep regret, and
gave, as far as it was possible for him
to give, assurances of speedy action
by the Russian government.
Lord Lansdowne in this interview
told M. Sansonoff, the charge, that he
desired to see Ambassador Benken
dorff Tuesday morning. Lord Lans
downe asked M. Bansonoff if he could
offer any explanation of the affair, and
tiie latter replied that he only knew
what had appeared In the papers, and
that he had not received any word up
t<> that time from St. Petersburg.
I*>rd Lansdowne gave no suggestion
a * to what might bo done In the mat
ter.
Obrloaali’ ft Mli(Ak<
At tho Russian embassy It was
Jkbannab JRoftiing ffeosL
M DIRER 17.822.
stated that “the whole affair was so
obviously a mistake, from whatever
cause, that Russia's course was plain
ly dictated, namely, apology and am
ple compensation.”
All eyes are now turned towards St.
Petersburg, awaiting word from the
Russian government.
RuMsia's Poor Gunners.
The actual casualties during the
one-sided bombardment off Dogger
Bank can be correctly stated since
the arrival at London this evening
of the carrying-ship Swift, reporting
the safety of the missing trawlers.
The Swift left the fleet at 10 o’clock
on the morning of Oct. 23. Her cap
tain says:
"The Russians gave not the slight
est warning prior to the commence
ment of the firing. The admiral of
the fishing fleet sent up a rocket warn
ing. and then the firing commenced.
He again sent up four green rockets,
but this only seemed to increase the
ferocity of the bombardment. The
poor marksmanship of the Russian
gunners was the only thing that saved
the entire fleet within range of the
searchlights and guns.”
At the inquest at Hull to-day it
was stated that one vessel, the Crane,
was sunk, and that four or five were
more or less damaged. In the state
ment of the coroner to the jury that
official said it was a question of very
grave and' possibly international im
portance; but it would be their duty
to find who were the murderers of the
dead men. After the identification of
the bodies the inquest adjourned to
Nov. 2.
Naval Force* Ready.
Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, who
is with the Channel fleet at Gibraltar,
almost in the path of the Russian
squadron, may be ordered to detach a
cruiser and communicate with Admiral
Rojestvensky, as was done in the case
of the Russian volunteer fleet steam
ers Smolensk and St. Petersburg.
Unusual activity prevailed at the ad
miralty throughout the morning, but
owing to the absence of Lord Selborne,
First Lord of the admiralty, no ac
tion was taken. A strong squadron of
cruisers lies at Portsmouth ready to
sail at a few hours notice. The Medi
terranean fleet is off Venice and the
home squadron is cruising off Scotland.
Thus in the quite unlikely event of
Great Britain making a naval demon
stration her forces are in peculiarly
good positions.
Sir Henry King, member of Parlia
ment for the central division of Hull,
went to the foreign office to-day to
assist in the representations of his con
stituents, among whom the most bit
ter feeling prevails.
The mate of the trawler Mino, which
arrived at Hull with the Moulmein,
bringing the news of the firing on the
fishing boats, said to-day:
Over 1200 Shot* Fired.
“Between 290 and 300 shots were fir
ed. The first vessel in line did most
of the firing, but I think two others
also fired several shots. Our whole
fleet was under searchlights, which
nearly blinded us. The Russians came
within less than a quarter of a mile
from us., We could see them plainly.”
Capt. Peaker of the trawler Magpie
declared it was impossible for the Rus
sians to mistake the trawlers for tor
pedo boats. He added:
“The whole affair lasted about twen
ty minutes. Not a quarter of their
shots could have taken effect. When
the firing ceased the ships disappeared
as quickly as they came up. Every
sailor knows that this part of the sea
is a fishing ground, and no one could
have mistaken our fleet with its special
lights as signals."
The officials of the admiralty say the
captain of the Magpie did not exag
gerate the situation in the statement
he made yesterday. What is puzzling
them most is that the Russian tor
pedo boats did not board nor approach
within hailing distance of one of the
trawling fleet. At the Russian embas
sy it was suggested that the Russian
squadron steamed away, believing that
no damage had been done, but this,
with many other suggestions, finds lit
tle credence, and falls to lessen the ir
ritated amazement with which all per
sons here regard the affair, which was
aggravated later by an allegation made
by the fishermen at the Foreign Of
fice to the effect that the Russian de
tached a ship from the squadron and
that she remained watching the traw
lers until 6 o'clock on Saturday morn
ing, without lowering a boat or render
ing anv assistance.
GREAT CROWD HOOTED
RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR.
Englishmen Tried to Break Win
dows of His Carriage.
London. Oct. 24.—Count Benkendorff,
the Russian ambassador, returned to
London to-night from celebrating his
silver wedding with his wife's relatives
in Silesia and barely escaped assault
from a crowd at the Victoria station,
which followed him almost into the
embassy. Fortunately for the issue of
peace or war, nothing resulted; yet
throughout the night a force of special
police was compelled to guard the Rus
sian embassy.
Count Benkendorff has been alwtiys
regarded in official circles here as a
friend of peace, and he was as much
opposed as was Count Lamsdorflf to the
Russo-Japanese war. Indeed, he is al
most an Anglophile in sentiment. There
is no doubt that Count Benkendorff
was deeply hurt by to-night's demon
stration.
After escaping from the hostile crowd
that met him at the station, he drove
at a gallop to the embassy. Half a
dosen rowdies followed, but the Am
bassador arrived unharmed. Ills noisy
Continued on Fifth Page.
SAVANNAH. GA.. TUESDAY. OCTOBER 25. 1004.
EPISCOPALIANS
AGREED AT LAST
CANON AS TO REMARRIAGE
AMENDED SO AS TO SUIT BOTH
BISHOrS AND DEPUTIES.
Innocent Pnrtj- to a Divorce for
Adultery May* He Remarried After
One Year If SntlHlnctory- Proof 1*
Furnished—Within the Dlacrction
of a MiniNtcr to Rcfune to Sol
emnise Any Marriage—Other Mut
ter* Considered.
Boston, Oct. 24.—An agreement on
the divorce question was reached to
day by the House of Bishops and the
House of Deputies of the Episcopal
general convention, after many days
of discussion. The section of the canon
bearing directly on the remarriage of
divorced persons, which was amend
ed by the bishops Saturday, assented
to by the deputies to-day and becom
ing effective at once, permits the re
marriage of the innocent party in a di
vorce for adultery one year after the
granting of a divorce upon presenta
tion of satisfactory evidence, and pro
vides that it shall be within the dis
cretion of any minister to decline to
solemnize any marriage.
The bishops adopted an amendment
to a section referring to the adminis
tration of sacraments, providing that
if a clegyman shall have reasonable
cause to doubt whether a person has
been married, “otherwise than as the
word of God and discipline of this
church allow,” such clergyman shall
refer the matter to the bishop before
administering the sacraments.
The deputies had made an exception
in favor of the “innocent party di
vorced on the ground of adultery,”
who had remarried, but the bishops
sruck out the exception. Their action
was accepted by the House of Depu
ties to-day.
Leading churchmen expressed the
opinion that the restrictions placed
upon the remarriage of an innocent
party to a divorce are so stringent
that the remarriage of divorced per
sons will be rare in the church here
after.
The House of Deputies to-day re
jected, after a long debate, a resolu
tion introduced by Rev. B. Talbot
Rogers of Fond Du Lac, Wis., to
strike out the word, “Protestant Epis
copal” from the title page of the Book
of Common Prayer.
Both houses have appointed a Joint
commission to consider the advisabil
ity of electing a presiding bishop of
the church.
Rev. Francis Taitt of Chester, Pa.,
was to-day elected assistant bishop
of South Dakota.
LYNCHED HIM*BECAUSE
HE WAS A NEGRO.
So U. S. Grand Jury Say* and In
dict* Alleged Lyncher*.
Huntsville, Ala., Oct. 24.—The Unit
ed States grand Jury has made a re
port to Judge Jones, covering the lynch
ing of Horace Maples, and expressed
the opinion that had Maples not been
a negro, he would not have been tak
en from jail and lynched.
The grand Jury indicted several al
leged members of the mob.
The report rfays thdt something must
be done to put a stop to lynching In
the South and that all good citizens
should welcome anything that may
have that effect, whether from the state
or federal courts.
Judge Jones thanked the Jury and
said he is willing to have 85,000,000
of people pass on the righteousness
of the gfiand Jury’s action.
ALTMANS ANIThARVEY
TO BE TRIED TO MORROW.
i
Will Be Taken from Waycroaa to
Folkaton.
Waycross, Ga., Oct. 24.—The date
set for the trial of Charley and Hil
lary Altman and Ivey Harvey has
been changed from to-morrow to
Wednesday morning.
The Altmans and Harvey will re
main in the Waycross Jail until Wed
nesday, when they will be carried to
Folkston.
M OR M ONS~WIit*GET
AN IMMENSE TRACT.
SKI.OOO Acred of Laml In fttate of
Tnbnm-o, Mrs.
Mexico City, Oct. 24.—Mormon Bishop
Cluff of Balt Lake City has closed a
deal in the state of Tabasco for the
purchase of nearly 340,000 acres of land.
There is ample room for a thousand
families and 500 are ready to take up
homesteads on the property.
KILLED HER HUSBAND;
DIED IN HOSPITAL.
Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 24.—Mrs. Fan
ny E. Sterriberger, who shot and killed
Milton J. Bternberger, her husband,
several weeks ago and who was con
victed of Involuntary manslaughter
and aentenced to two years In the
penitentiary, died to-night In the city
hospital. After the verdict was ren
dered ten days sgo the woman col
lapsed and has not made a coherent
statement since. She was removed to
the hospital under guard and has
grown steadily weaker until death end
ed her sufferings.
BEAT HIS WIFE AND
BLEW HIS HEAD OFF.
The Act of Dr. Hoffman Caused a
Senastion,
Columbia, S. C., Oct. 24.—Dr. Van
Telburg Hofman, 30 years old, a native
of Holland and an attache of the At
lantic Coast Line Hospital, located at
Sumter, this state, after violently at
tacking his wife, blew out his own
brains early to-day.
Hofman and his wife went to church
last evening and disagreed on religious
matters. At the breakfast table this
morning the dispute was continued.
When Mrs. Hofman left the table to
go to a neighbor’s house she was pur
sued by her husband and badly beaten
about the head. She freed herself and
ran out of the house.
In a few minutes the report of a gun
was heard and upon entering the house
Hofman was found with the whole top
of his head blown off. He died in a
few minutes.
Some time ago Hofman laid violent
hands upon his wife and suddenly left
the city on business. During his ab
sence Mrs. Hofman had to call in a
physician to attend her injuries. Upon
his return Hofman was admonished by
the physician and was told that if such
a thing occurred again he would be
exposed, and that the people of Sum
ter would not stand for such treatment
of a lady.
Dr. Hofman married Miss Nora Bus
sell of Newberry, a niece of State
Treasurer R. H. Jennings. Hofman
had been living in Sumter about five
years. He was highly educated, hav
ing graduated at a university in Hol
land and at medical colleges in New
York and Richmond.
LEAD ING COUNSEL OF
M’CUE WAS NOT WELL.
Hi* Trial May Not t onlinue on That
Accou lit.
Charlottesville. Vl „ Oct. 24.—Just
when the Jury had >een secured and
the first witness in '• the trial of ex-
Mayor J. Samuel McCue, charged with
the murder of his wilje, had been called
in Corporation Court to-day, there was
a sudden halt, caused by the an
nouncement that Dan Harmon, chief
counsel for the defendant, would be
unable, on account of his physical con
dition, to proceed further in tlxe case.
Two men from the venire drawn
from Warrenton qualified, completing
the panel of sixteen and the defense
announced the four to be struck off,
thus completing tiij. jury. After a
few preliminaries. Commonwealth's
Attorney Gilmer called the first wit
ness for the prosecution. < Mr. Harmon,
who was present when court conven
ed to-day, was absent at this moment,
and the examination of the witness
was delayed. After some little delay,
Mr. Lee, one of the associate counsel
for the defendant, announced that Mr.
Harmon would be unable to appear
further in the case, because of his
physical condition. This, he said,
placed the balance of counsel and the
defendant in an awkward position, as
Mr. Harmon was the chief counsel.
Continuing, he said they felt that It
would be doing a great injustice to the
defendant “to force him into a trial
in the absence of the man in whom
he has relied,” and whose leadership
they felt absolutely essential to the
proper conduct of the case.
They acceded to a request that coun
sel for the state be permitted to take
the matter under advisement and let
the court pass on it to-morrow. Mr.
Lee explained that Mr. Harmon’s as
sociates had been acquainted with this
state of facts only about five minutes
before the announcement. Capt.
Woods, of counsel for the state, said
it would be better to defer action un
til to-morrow. He added that while
it was the highest duty of the state to
give the accused a fair trial, he hoped
the defense would see its way clear
to go on with the trial.
Mr. Sinclair, for the defense, re
sponded that It would be Impossible
for them to announce in the morn
ing readiness to go to trial. Dr. J. H.
Browning, Mr. Harmon’s family phy
sician. announced that Mr. Harmon
was suffering from anaemia. He had
reluctantly let Mr. Harmon come Into
court this afternoon, but said Mr.
Harmon could not go on with his con
sent under a month.
The court said It was a serious mat
ter and should be gravely considered
and adjourned until to-morrow. The
jury, as completed to-day, is composed
as follows: J. Y. Stockdale, W. B.
Spears, A. J. Saunders, J. B. Prentis,
T. F. Parsons, A. S. Johnson, Sheldon
Chives, J. A. Taylor, S. B. Quinn,
Nelson Decker, W. G. Fewell and L.
E. Holmes, drawn from Petersburg,
Richmond, Fredericksburg and War
renton.
With the calling of the first witness
to-day the gruesome exhibits, consist
ing of a revolver, baseball bat, and
garments worn by the deceased, were
brought Into court.
The court room was filled to Its full
est capacity throughout the hour and
a half court was In session in the aft
ernoon.
COLORADO IS FAST.
Armored Crnlser Showed Up Well
on Her Trial Trip.
Boston, Oct. 24.—The armored cruiser
Colorado, built for the United States
navy by William Cramp & Sons of
Philadelphia, to-day, on her official
trial, covered 88 nautical miles in 3
hours and 57 minutes and 7 seconds,
maintaining an hourly average of 22.06
knots throughout the run, exceeding
the speed of 22 knots called for in the
builders' contract by more than a
quarter of a knot. It is thought that
tide corrections may Increase her aver
age slightly. The highest speed de
veloped was 23.23 knots, and this was
maintained for six and six-tenths miles
during the homeward run.
To-day's performance rates the Colo
rado as the fastest vessel In the arm
ored cruiser class, and one of the fast
est In the navy, the only large Ameri
can ships that have ever exceeded her
speed being the Columbia and Minne
apolis. The engines worked smoothly
and developed an average horse-power
of 28,000, and the ponderous twin
•crews whirled at an average of 128
revolutions a minute and at times
made 130 revolution' The great ship
responded to the ell itest touch on her
helm.
N. Y. Telegram.
GREAT SUMS ARE
GIVEN BY TRUSTS
TO REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN.
PARKER SAYS THEY MEAN TO BUY
THE FLOATERS.
Plan of Hie Republicans t.o Speinl
Money Freely in the Doubtful
Slate* in Order to Sernrc Ihe l*ur
ehnMubie Vote—Democratic Can
didate Koreabe* Imue* for a 1)1*-
caSHion of Evil* of Present Day
Political Cant pa Igalng.
Esopus, N. Y„ Oct. 24.—Judge Park
er to-day laid aside the issues usually
discussed in national political contests
and addressed a crowd of several hun
dred persons on the general topic of
campaign practices and abuses. He
said In part:
“Many years have passed since my
active participation In politics. In the
meantime a startling change has
taking place in the method of con- 1
ducting campaigns, a change not for
the better, but for the worse, a change
that has introduced debasing and cor
rupt methods, which threaten the In
tegrity of our government, leaving It
perhaps a republic In form, but not
a republic In substance, no longer a
government of the people, by the peo
ple, for the people, but a government
whose officers are practically chosen
by a handful of corporation managers
who levy upon the assets of the stock
holders whom they represent, such
sums of money as they deem requisite
to place the conduct of the govern
ment In such hands as they consider
best for their private interests.
"I make no complaint, nor should
complaint be made, of any individual
who contributes toward the many le
gitimate expenses of a great cam
paign. The capitalist, asap individual,
has as much right to contribute to
such purposes, and In proportion to
his means, as has his less wealthy
fellow citizen. Whatever he may
do, based on a patriotic desire to help
elect the candidates of that party
which it seems to him- will best serve
the interests of the country should be
encouraged.
Ourc All Contributed.
"It Is but a little while since tho
body of the people at large provided
the legitimate expenses of a campaign.
When farmer and lawyer, doctor and
mechanic, day laborer and banker each
contributed something toward the erec
tion of banners, the circulation of liter
ature and the expenses of public meet
ings each contributor was a better cit
izen for It. It stimulated his patriot
ism and the contributions were de
voted to the legitimate advancement of
the cause not made for deliberate cor
ruption of masses of electors.
"Gradually, and, alas, effectively, but
surely not permanently, has ail this
been changed. Some of the enterprises
which have unduly thrived through
favoritism, and which have been per
mitted by statute to Indirectly levy
tribute upon the people, have, In the
eouree of time, become so rich and
strong that they can and do contrib
ute vast sums when It Is made clear
that It will be of advantage to them,
and they contribute upon the prom
ise. direct or Implied, that they shall
be permitted to continue to tax the
people for their own be_neltt. Upon such
•“Vmtlnued on Sixth page.
IS IT LOADED?
GREAT DEMONSTRATION
FOR JUDGE PARKER.
A mile Pre at n Theater Went Wild
Over tiie <'aml I (lute.
New York, Oct. 24.—Judge Parker
was the center to-night of the wild
est und most enthusiastic demonstra
tion that has greeted him In his cam
paign for the presidency. As the
guests of the Tammany leaders of the
East Side, the Democratic candidate
for President and William Travers Je
rome. the district attorney, attended
the performance at the Grand Street
Theater, and later a dinner at tan
East Side restaurant near by.
At the theater Adler, the Hebrew
actor, played the Yiddish version of
King Lear, and a Hebrew drama en
titled, "Truth.” The theater was
crowded from the ground floor to the
top balcony, and the afreets for blocks
around were so congested that a re
serve force of police wan required to
open a passage way from the theater
to the restaurant. In the theater tho
applause was so grft.it that the per
formanee was stopped for twenty min
utes with the cast of the play unable
to proceed or leave the stage.
Judge Parker arose and bowed right
and left. Mr. Adler stepped toward the
box occupied by the candidate’s party
' and bowed. The audience applauded
this action, and Judge Parker Joined In
the handclupplng. Many persons called
for a speech from the candidate, but
he paid no attention beyond bowing
and smiling. The demonstration con
tinued until the audience, tiring, was
got under control by the police, who
before hhd difficulty In restraining a
tendency to rush the box.
Many Democratic leaders made their
way to the box and met Judge Par
ker. After half an hour of bedlam In
the theater, Judge Parker decided the
players had been sufficiently lenient.
He took his seat and motioned Adler
to proceed, and the Interrupted act
was allowed to go on.
At one period in the demonstration
someone shouted for Roosevelt, but it
was at once manifested that this was
not a Republican gathering. The shout
er was hissed lone and loud.
When the party left the theater a
squad of police took the lead and push
ed through a wild, surging mob that
was shouting Itself hoarse, dlseharglng
fireworks and otherwise contributing
to a scene of enthusiasm.
Judge Parker seemed to enjoy the
experience, and though Jostled and
pushed from side to side, he ’laughed
and Joked with the crowd.
MISSIONARY TAFT WILL
SAIL FROM PENSACOLA.
The Columbia Will Leave That
Place Instead of Tampa.
Washington, Oct. 24.—The Navy De
partment has determined that Secre
tary Tuft's visit to Panama will start
from Pensacola, Instead of Tampa, as
was originally projected, the reason be
ing that the Columbia, which Is to
carry the party, cannot safely enter
Turn pa harbor because of her great
draft.
The party expects to start from Pen
sacola on Nov. 14.
Wireless for Ihr Navy.
Washington, Oct. 24.—One of the
principal recommendations of Rear
Admiral Henry N. Manney, chief of
the Bureau of Equipment, in his an
nual report approved by Secretary
Morton to-day Is that Congress bs
naked for an appropriation of $150,000
for the further equipment of the navy
with wireless telegraphy. For ths
construction of a coal storage plant
at the naval station, Charleston, $200,*
000 is asked, and for the navy yard,
Penaacola, a modern coaling plant.
5 CENTS A COPY
DAILY. Pi A YEAR.
WEEKLY 2-TIMEB-A-WEKK.fi A YEAR
VIRGINIA MOB
KILLS A NEGRO
WITH A BURNING LAMP
ih.ount had struck a polios.
MAN OP lIUKKXKY.
Mob Alndr on Attack on tho Pollen
Station When bat One Oflloer Wn
There—At Point of a Platol He Wat
Made to tilve Up the Prisoner.
Mob 'look Him to a Field and
There Heat and Shot 111 m to Death.
Story of a Wltneaa.
Norfolk, Va., Oct. 24.—George W.
Blount, a negro proprietor of a fish
and oyster shop In the suburbs of
Berkley, "was taken early this morn
ing from the police stivtlon, where he
was confined, by four marked men, and
shot to death, while two other masked
men kept the policeman in charge of
the station and a member of the town
Are department who was in the station
office, covered with revolvers.
Ulount had been arrested Saturday
night for striking T. D. Holloman, a
Berkley policeman, in the face with
a lighted lamp, burning him. The of
ficer had gone to Blount's place to ar
rest another negro, but Blount refused
the officer permission to enter.
The attack on the station was made
when but one officer wae op duty, and
he was compelled to give up the keys
at the point of a pistol. The mob
seized Blount and carried him into
Hardy's field, a short distance away,
where he was beaten to death with
some blunt instrument and then ehot.
The mob dispersed and the authori
ties declare they know none of the
participants.
Blount had been for many years a
negro Republican leader, and at one
time held a position in the Norfolk
navy yard.
W. W. Robertson, a lumber dealer
and a resident of Berkley, told Mayor
Allen of that place to-day that he
witnessed the killing from his bed
room window and that Blount's
screams awakened him. Four masked
men, he said, had Blount In the mid
dle of the street and were clubbing
his head. Three of the men became
frightened at their victim's cries and
fled, but the other, whom Robertson
believes was white, drew a pistol and
shot Blount through the back of hla
head.
Rear Admiral Harrington, oorr.'Band
ing the Norfolk navy yard, to-day di
rected the marines and sailors at St.
Helens naval reservation near Berkley
to be In readiness for action in case
of a negro uprising.
Col. A. M. Higgins, commanding the
Seventy-first Virginia Regiment. Na
tional Guard. after a conference wnh
Mayor Allen to-dey, ordered the Nor
folk companies of the Seventy-first
Iteglment to Berkley. The negro pop
ulation of the town Is excited over
the lynching of Blount, and serious
trouble is feared after nightfall.
Mayor Allen of Berkley hse_dectared
Continued on Fifth Page.