Warning Given to Snelling as Mob Started Trouble.

Warning Given to Snelling as Mob Started Trouble

Unidentified Civilian Calls Adutant General Rhinow on Long
Distance Before Lynching–Duluth Outburst Recalls
Similar Event Here Years Ago.

That some unidentified civilian and not Sheriff Magie of Duluth first warned Adjutant General W. F. Rhinow at Fort Snelling last right that mob rule held sway in Duluth became known early today after the troops had left the fort on the journey to the Head of the lakes.
At about 11:15 p.m. a voice over the long distance wire from Duluth told General Rhinow that the mob had broken “hose” and that police and prisoners were in immediate danger. A plea was made that troops be dispatched to the city at once.
General Rhinow ascertaining that a civilian was on the wire, told him that he could answer pleas of assistance only when made by Duluth public official. The call came to General Rhinow’s headquarters before the lynching occurred.

Ready in 7 Minutes.

Preparing for any riot that might arise by the frenzied mob. General Rhinow at once ordered the call to arms and the entire camp was in readiness in 7 minutes. Artillery trucks were hauled out in readiness for transporting troops to St. Paul as soon as the call to arms had been sounded.
In 10 minutes another long distance call from Duluth proved to be the sheriff. He pleaded that troops be sent to the city at once and described the situation to General Rhinow who at once dispatched two companies from the Sixth Infantry. Minnesota National Guard, to the scene of the disturbance.
Company I of Long Prairie, under command of Captain Wilbur Miller and Company H of Fariabult, under command of Captain W. P. Townsend, were rushed to St. Paul in motortrucks of the First Minnesota Field Artillery. The Northern Pacific passenger train which left Minneapolis at 11:35 p.m. was held at St. Paul until the troops arrived and boarded special cars. The train left at 1:30 a.m. Shortly after the train departed word was received that the three Negroes had been lynched, the mob had dispersed and quiet restored. Attempts to turn back the guardsmen were too late.
Governor J. A. A. Burnquist; who is at Northfield today attending the annual graduating exercises of Carleton college, from which he was graduated in 1902 and today received the honorary degree of doctor of law, said he would begin a complete investigation of the lynching at Duluth as soon as he reached his office at the state capitol.
“I know nothing of what took place in Duluth except what I saw in the papers,” Governor Burnquist said. “I

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WARNING GIVEN OF DULUTH MOB RULE

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cannot say anything in connection with the report until I have been acquainted with and investigated the facts. As soon as the investigation is completed, I shall have a statement to make, which will include what action is to be taken.”
District Judge E. F. Waite, an officer of the Society for the Advancement of the Colored Race, said today that the Duluth lynching was exceedingly disturbing, not only from the standpoint of the colored race but from the stand point of state repuation and respect for constituted authority.
“I feel ashamed and chagrined that such a thing should occur in Minnesota,” said Judge Waite. “I thought Minnesota and the northwest were far above such procedure. We always have thought the northwest was deep roated in law and order and respect for the courts. This goes to show that no part of the country is free from the danger of an outburst. Congress has been considering a federal law against lynching and the need of it was shown in Duluth.”

Guilty to Be Punished.

“The lynching at Duluth is a rank violation of law,” Attorney General Clifford L. Hilton said today. “There is no doubt that every step will be taken to see that the guilty are punished.” The county attorney of St. Louis county is an efficient officer, and of course any request to this office for assistance in bringing the guilty to justice will be granted at once. So far no appeal has been made either to me or to the governor for state assistance in punishing the violation of law.”