Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1910 — JOHNSON GETS A CHEAT WELCOME [ARTICLE]

JOHNSON GETS A CHEAT WELCOME

Sixty Officers Use Clubs Freely to Hold Mob In Control. ■ * FLOWERS IN. PUGILIST'S PATH Rioting and Disorder Prevailc at Station When Train Bearing Black Champion Arrives at Northwestern Terminal.

Chicago, July 8. Rioting and disorder broke out at the Northwestern station when 3,000 negroes and white people fought and struggled around the train which brought Champion Jack Johnson into Chicago Sixty policemen, with drawn clubs, were unable to hold the howling, shouting mob in control, and they rushed the station platform and virtually captured the depot and train sheds Many men arid boys were sent sprawling onto the tracks near the platform when the crowd back of them pushed and kicked in an effort to reach the coach from which :l:e negro pugilist v. as stepping. Sixty police under command of Capt. Rehm, and a lieutenant tried to protect the station piaiefrms but they were powerless to stem the rush of the thousands of fight mad enthusiasts. The policemen were thrown back against the cars and every man would have been entirely swept off his feet if he had not laid about him in lively fashion with his club. When Johnson, with hiri famous “golden smile” emerged from the car, the mob made a mad rush for him. It was not an unfriendly demonstration, but the police had to fight hard to keep the rush of admirers > back as even the giant black could not have stood before their rushed. Finally Johnson, surrounded by police, was dragged and pushed through the big crowd and shoved into a cab. It was Impossible to get him into his automobile. He was taken to his home on the south side. Leading citizens of the race turned out in silk hats and frock coats, many of them in autos hired for the occasion with money won on the fight, w’hile hundreds of the South Side’s darkey belt strewed their hero’s path with flowers. Inhabitants of the “black belt” were deeply indignant and resentful over the action of the mayor and police . They said because of their color they were discriminated against. The plan was to have two bands at the station and an automobile parade In which thirty-five machines would be in line. This was vetoed by Chief Steward afjer Assistant Chief Schuettler had given a permit. Twenty-four cities, according to the latest dispatches, have put the ban on the Jeffries-Johnson flgbt pictures, five other cities have adopted a waiting attitude to see what effect the pictures will have on those seeing them, and three cities have come out openly and said they wanted to see the pictures.