Warning Given to Snelling as Mob Started Trouble.
Type of event: Lynchings
Location: Minneapolis; Hennepin County; Minnesota
Document date:
Document type: Newspaper(s)
Documents: Warning Given to Snelling as Mob Started Trouble.
Citation:
Minneapolis Journal, June 16, 1920, page 1, 2.
“Warning Given to Snelling as Mob Started Trouble”
Image text
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
Continued on Page 2.
WARNING GIVEN OF DULUTH MOB RULE
Continued from Page
1.
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.”