Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1899 — MORE RIOTING AT PANA. [ARTICLE]

MORE RIOTING AT PANA.

Deputies, Negroes and White Miner* Mix Up in a Fatal Battle. ’ A riot occurred at Pana, 111., Monday between deputies, negroes and white miners. One white miner and another man were killed and several other persons injured. The trouble, according to a press dispatch, was precipitated by a drunken colored miner, who shot another miner and then ran wildly through the streets discharging his revolver in all directions. Leading up to the day’s outbreak was an intensely exciting night. One hundred deputy sheriffs were called into the Floeham and Penwell mining districts to protect several families of negroes, who were endeavorlng to load their household effects preparatory to leaving for lowa and were being prevented by negro guards armed with rifles. The armed men claimed goods the negroes were moving were company property. The deputies guarded the negroes while they loaded theirffbods in wagons, conveyed them to raiWoad cars, and packed them for- ahyrtffifflL The negroes, their wives and children, were then-marched to Union Miners’ hall, where they were fed and cared for by white union miners and given ample protection by a guard of fifty deputy sheriffs, it being feared that negroes who did not wish them to leave Pana would interfere and attempt forcibly to prevent their departure. During the night, while deputies were guarding the negroes in the Penwell district, they were fired upon by unknown persons, supposed to have been negroes and private guards at the Penwell mine, and fully 200 shots were exchanged. The firing greatly terrorized the residents of that section of the city, who appealed to Chief Deputy Cheeney for protection. Deputy Cheeney thereupon sent a special detail of deputies armed with Springfield rifles, who patrolled all streets and soon succeeded in restoring quiet. Several negroes were arrested, charged with inciting riot. One hundred and fifty negroes left the city Sunday and 100 more on Monday.