Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 12

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

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The alarm had called out other companies. In responding, one of them sent a hose-wagon south on Main from Mill Street. As they neared the Wilcox Block, a couple of ruffians called upon them to halt and presented guns from behind telephone poles. They paid no attention to the command and both guns were discharged point blank at them. How they ever escaped alive remains a marvel to those who witnessed the scene. They drove on, fol- lowed by bullets and shot, and only desisted in their efforts to quench that fire when borne down by overwhelming numbers.

Shortly after the tower, with its staff and waving flag, had fallen into the flaming pit, the fire broke out in the City Building. Whether it communicated from the conflagra- tion south of it or was set afresh is not known. The more probable view is that the rioters hastened the destruction by setting the build- ing afire directly. In an incredibly short time fire was bursting from every window in the building. The dynamite explosions had wrecked the floors and partitions, doors and windows had been demolished by the battering and storm of shot, and the flames made quick work of the resulting debris. Both buildings were soon enveloped in flames and the con- flagration was at its height. All the splendor of the scene when Columbia Hall first burst into flames was doubled. The street was as light as day. The heat drove all but the fire- men back into the shadows. They stood their ground, beside their useless hose and appara- tus. The mob would not permit a drop of

water to be thrown upon the fire and, like a tremendous furnace, it seethed and rolled and roared-an awful spectacle to the thousands who covered hill-sides and house-tops, at a safe distance from the bullets of the rioters. The gleam from the fire lighted up their faces, still diabolical with hate and blood-lust, as they peered from behind their barriers of defence. The frenzy possessing them had been stilled by the tremendous power shown by the nat- ural element Fire. Even their disordered minds could perceive the magnitude of the in- fluences they had called into operation. Even they stood thrilled by the raging and tumult of elemental power. Occasionally a malignant jeer, a demoniacal howl of delight, or a shot, broke the spell and recalled the thoughtful spectators to the dread reality of the scene.

The minutes passed unheeded, but prob- ably an hour passed, with the great fire hold- ing the center of the stage-the one great spectacle that centered the interest and gaze of all. Then the walls of the City Building fell, and the flames gradually shrunk within the pit of the white heat. In the east, pale streaks along the horizon indicated the coming of another day. The somber gray mellowed into gold and the first gleam of dawn mingled with the reddened glow from the ruins. The outlines of objects became more distinct. It was a signal from the powers of darkness to slink away. As the Sun-God scatters the forces of Night; as Death dwindles into in- significance before the truth of the resurrec- tion; so the slaves of the Demon of Anarchy slunk away into their places of hiding. from their revel of blood and fire, before the mes- senger on the hilltops, who heralded the coming of the source of light-typical of or- der. law and right.

By 4 o'clock all of the thousands who thronged the streets had gone and the scene was almost deserted. It was safe enough now for those policemen who were in hiding to come forth and go to their homes, and they did.

At 7 o'clock the first of the militia arrived. It was Company C of the Eighth regiment, from Canton. It was known as "The Presi-

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

dent's Own." Never were the boys in blue re- ceived with more profound gratitude. The feelings of Akron citizens were too deep for cheers or a demonstration. Nevertheless, deep in their hearts they welcomed the soldier boys. What a relief to see those swinging battalions and to know that they represented the majesty of the law! What a comfort in those grim rifles, those well-filled ammunition boxes and the keen sight of those sworn foes to disorder! For the thoughtful citizen had been much disturbed. He had seen his en- tire city surrendered to the will of a riotous mob. There was absolutely nothing to re- strain that mob from doing anything it pleased with the property and the lives of all the citizens of Akron. Not a dollar, not a life was safe in Akron that night. Had the notion been taken, every store and every home might have been pillaged and looted. The leaders of that mob might have easily per- suaded it to assist in working out revenge for private grievances by murder and arson. They were drunk with power to which they were unaccustomed. and reveled in the use of it. For instance, just as the City Building burst into flames a number broke in the doors of the little building alongside and ran out the electric police patrol automobile. As many as it would hold climbed into it; others clung to the steps and climbed upon the top. Then, it was started amid the cheering of the mob and run about the downtown streets, with its occupants singing and yelling, until they tired of the sport and ended the wild orgy by send- ing it full speed into the canal.

It was like a scene from the wildest period of the French Revolution. One must go to the orgies of that carnival of disorder to find a parallel, unless, indeed it shall be found in the conceptions of certain great minds con- cerning the Inferno. It was the very apothe- sis of evil.

In the meantime something was being done in an attempt to stop the tide. There were a few citizens aware of what was hap- pening, who were not spellbound by the aw- ful scenes nor frightened into supine sub- servience by the exhibition of the power of

the mob. Some of them sought the sheriff. For reasons known to himself, and guessed at. by others, he could not be found. Akron had two full companies of militia and some other organizations of a semi-military character who carry rifles and look real brave on parade days. The captains of these companies were appealed to. The reply was, "You must see the Governor." An attempt to asemble the companies resulted in getting only three or four men at the armories; the rest were min- gled with the crowd watching the fire. As be- fore stated, the city authorities, from the high- est to the last-appointed policeman, were com- pletely demoralized. Finally Governor Nash was reached by telephone and he promised to send a regiment of militia, if requested by the sheriff of the county or the mayor of the city. Probate Judge George M. Anderson, accompanied by a few citizens, then took a cab to search for the mayor. They found him at home and persuaded him to ask the Governor for help.

The Fourth regiment of the Ohio National Guard was in camp at Minerva Park, near Columbus. They had arrived there only a day or two before for their anual encamp- ment, as required by law. They were under the command of Colonel J. D. Potter, who is a son of General Potter, of the United States Army. They received their orders at 1:45 o'clock A. M. At 2:45 the entire nine companies were entrained and on their way to Akron. A special train on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railway brought them into Akron at 9 o'clock on the morning of the 23d. They immediately marched down- town and joined Company C of the Eighth Regiment in guarding the city. Colonel Adams of the Governor's staff arrived and took charge of all the military forces in the city, including the local companies, which were never called from their armories dur- ing the disturbed period. The streets near the ruins were roped off. and none was al- lowed to approach them. The downtown street assumed a martial appearance. Armed sentries paced everywhere and compa- nies were marching back and forth to mess

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

and temporary barracks at all hours. At noon, after a consultation of officials and citi- zens, the mayor issued a proclamation closing all the saloons in the city until further no- tice. The revulsion of feeling against the rioters was so strong that the saloon-keepers were very willing to assist, as much as pos- sible, in the general effort to restore law and order. The proclamation was generally re- spected. Closing the saloons undoubtedly was a great factor in the bringing back of peace and quiet to the city.

In the afternoon of the 23d a meeting of all the city officials and a few prominent citizen- was called at the Hotel Buchtel. Chief of Police Harrison could not be found anywhere. It was reported that he was last seen about 4 o'clock in the morning driving out of the city. John Durkin had been appointed by the city commissioners as acting Chief of Police. With the city officials, there assembled at the Hotel Buchtel Judge U. L. Marvin, Prosecu- tor R. M. Wanamaker, Judge G. M. Ander- son, Fire Chief Frank Manderbach, Colonel Potter, Colonel Adams and others. At this meeting the situation was thoroughly dis- cussed and the city government reorganized. It was understood the city was not under mar- tial law. but that the city authorities were in power and the military arm of the govern- ment was there. not to supplant, but to assist them. Barracks were arranged for the mili- tia and they were quartered at the old Mar- ket House Hall, at the Court House and in a North Main Street livery barn. Business was practically suspended in the downtown stores and offices all day of the 23d. The riot was the one theme of conversation every- where. A constant stream of people kept moving all day long about the ruins of Co- Inmbia Hall and the City Building. No crowds were allowed to congregate. The sol- diers kept everyone moving; a good example for the police, don't you think? These latter moved about town in companies of two and three. When night came many people were apprehensive that more trouble would take place. Many rumors had been heard during the day that another attack would be made.

Many persons remained down street rather ex- pecting excitement of some sort, but they were disappointed, and the soldiers had no other duty than the weary work of sentry posting.

On Friday business was resumed and the marching of the soldiers was the only inci- dent different from the ordinary routine of Akron affairs. In the middle of the after- noon those in charge of things startled the whole community by an act of exceeding dar- ing. It was successful and can be called dar- ing; if it had failed, it would have been termed foolhardy . This coup de'etat was no less a feat than bringing the rapist Peck back to Akron for trial. It happened in this way :

A meeting of the officials was held Friday morning to determine the course to pursue in regard to Peck. The crime was committed in Summit County and he would have to be brought back here for arraignment. Why was it not better to bring him back while the militia were here to protect him and prevent additional rioting? The stay of the soldiers must, of necessity, be brief, hence, the sooner

action was taken, the better. The very au- dacity of the thing, too, would aid in its suc- cessful prosecution. The people would be far from expecting any move of this kind and the rioters would not be prepared to take advantage of their opportunity. John E. Washer, the prison-keeper, was still weak from the effect of the blow on his head. but it was decided that he was the best man to go to Cleveland for Peck, who was still confined in the Cuyahoga County jail. Dr. A. K. Fouser was engaged to accompany Mr. Washer and give him such medical attention as he might. require. Driving to a Valley train in a cab. they succeeded in getting out of town unob- served.

In Cleveland they were not so fortunate. They had been in the jail but a few moments when the news spread fast that they had come for Peck and, when they were ready to de- part, a large crowd surrounded the carriage in front of the jail and filled the street. It was a crowd disposed to make trouble, too.

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

What was to be done? The afternoon was passing and whatever was to be done must be decided upon quickly. A special train on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad had been engaged by the Summit County authorities and was waiting at the station to take the party to Howard Street, without any stops. Colonel Potter had detailed a company of soldiers to meet the train upon its arrival. Sheriff Barry was to telephone from Cleveland as soon as the party started. Judge David J. Nye had been called over from Elyria to hold a special session of Common Pleas Court. special Grand Jury had been empaneled at 2 o'clock that afternoon. One witness had been heard and a true bill found against Lewis Peck. It was understood that he would plead guilty to the indictment. He would then be taken to Columbus on the afternoon train and the cause of the riot would be safely out of the jurisdiction. These were the plans and they were carefully laid. But in the crowd outside the Cleveland jail, and constantly growing larger and more restless, was an oh- stacle not considered by the plotters. What was to be done? So much time had been lost that it was nearly time for the Columbus train to start-the one upon which it was planned to carry Peck to the penitentiary. Washer and Barry got their heads together and planned a neat trick upon the crowd. They telephoned for another closed carriage to be driven to the rear door of the jail. Washer, Fouser and the prisoner, the latter manacled to Washer, were all ready to enter so soon as it drove up. As it appeared in sight, Sheriff Barry went to the front door and thus engaged the attention of the crowd, whichi pressed for- ward, expecting the prisoner next. Giving his party time to enter their carriage. he re- entered the jail, as if he had forgotten some- thing. and joined them. The horses were whipped up and a wild race started for the Union depot to catch the Columbus train. The Baltimore & Ohio special was left stand- ing at the Water street depot.

.A few who had observed the ruse gave an alarm and the crowd started after the carriage. Most gave up the chase after running a block,

but a few newspaper reporters reached the station nearly as quick as the officials, one or two hanging onto the carriage, which they h d overtaken. They rushed by the ticket in- spector at the gates and the party was soon safe within the railway car. The newspaper men followed and the whole party were scarce- ly seated when the train pulled out. Sheriff Barry ordered the conductor to lock the doors of the car and this was done. AAs the train neared Euclid Avenue, the reporters prepared notes to be thrown out and carried to their papers. The windows were all put down and, upon Washer's threat to shoot the man who touched a window, no effort was made to throw out notes at Euclid station. Sheriff Barry left the train there and Mr. Washer and Dr. Fouser proceeded alone, with the cringing negro on his knees, on the floor between them, imploring Washer to shoot him. The news- paper men were carried along, although some of them had no money to pay their fares.

Sheriff Barry telephoned the change of plans from Cleveland and a carriage was wait- ing at the Union depot in Akron. There was no crowd at the station and no guard but two soldiers and one policeman, who were on duty there. Arrangements had been made to ho'd the train for thirty minutes at the station. It arrived at 3:20. The employees of the Tap- lin Rice & Co. saw Peck taken into the Court House and swarmed out into the street. In the court room the judge was waiting and all the other requisites of a criminal action at law were ready. The judge cleared the room of soldiers, ordered Washer to put up his pis- tol and remove the manacles from the pris- oner. Peck waived the reading of the indict- ment. Upon being asked whether he wished to plead guilty or not guilty to the charge of rape he replied, "Guilty." Thereupon the court inquired if he had anything to say be- fore sentence should be pronounced upon him. Ilis answer was no. The court then imposed a sentence of life imprisonment in the peni- tentiary at Columbus, the first thirty days of which were to be passed in solitary confine- ment. Peck was visibly frightened through-

LAKESIDE-SUMMIT LAKE

POSTOFFICE, AKRON

PUBLIC LIBRARY, AKRON

ADOLPII AVENUE, AKRON, LOOKING SOUTH

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

out the whole proceedings. He was again manacled, trembling like a leaf. A guard of twenty militiamen surrounded him and Sher- iff Kelley as they started for the train. In the meantime the conductor of the train had been ordered by telephone to bring his train up to Center Street. As the little party moved out into Broadway toward Center the crowd of workingmen surged about and tried to seize Peck. The soldiers fixed hayonets and met the new rioters with sharp steel. They de- sisted their attempts only when the prisoner was safely within the train. The sheriff was waiting for it as it drew up. It did not come to a full stop, but the prisoner was hustled aboard, the sheriff followed, and Peck was on his way to the only spot that will again know him on earth. He was arraigned, pleaded guilty, was sentenced, and on his way to prison all within twenty minutes. Just four days after his crime was committed he had commenced to serve his sentence. Justice can move quickly when it has to.

These things happened on Friday, August 24, 1900. Justice in this case was fully done. It was not overdone as some very interested parties would have you believe. Peck richly deserved his sentence. No more heinons crime was ever committed in Summit County. It was revolting and repulsive in the extreme. The public has never learned the details and it never will, for they are too loathsome to publish. Unspeakable cruelty was practiced by that black ravisher upon that innocent lit- tle baby. Not only that, but Peck's record was a bad one before coming to Akron. The New York Tribune printed a list of the crimes for which he was wanted at Patterson, New Jersey. It is far better for him and for so- ciety that he be denied his liberty until Death shall free him, and his shrivelled soul shall pass on for the sentence of the Great Judge. No maudlin sentimentality should be allowed to interfere with the complete execution of this just sentence. The pleas of lawyers en- gaged by his friends to obtain his release are mercenary and should fall upon deaf ears.

THE AFTERMATH OF THE RIOT.

With Louis Peck safely in the penitentiary, the members of the military forces began to think of discharge from the irksome duties which had been unexpectedly imposed upon them. The Fourth Regiment had lost a large part of the benefit of their annual encamp- ment and they longed to return to Minerva Park. Colonels Adams and Potter desired to leave Akron with their commands on Friday night. The city authorities were apprehensive of trouble to come on Saturday night. The mayor urged the colonels to remain until Monday morning. Saturday brought with it a half-holiday and most of the shops and fac- tories paid their men on that day. Hence, it was thought that if new trouble were to arise it was most probable that it would come Sat- urday night. The militia officers reluctantly complied with the wishes of the mayor. Sat- urday and Sunday passed without extraordi- nary incident. If anything, the city wa- more orderly than usual.

On Saturday afternoon the mayor held the first session of Police Court since Wednesday morning. By consent of the county officials, it was held in the Court House. The city government was without a home of any kind. On Monday, August 27, at an early hour in the morning. the military companies took their departure and the city was left to take care of itself. The city commissioners had leased for one year the substantial stone of- fice building of the American Cereal Com- pany, on the corner of Mill and Broadway. This had been abandoned by the company when its principal offices had been moved to Chicago. The postoffice department of the federal government had occupied it for a while as the site of the Akron postoffice while the government building was being com- pleted. It had been vacant several years and was the only available location for the pur- poses of the city. The Board of City Commis- sioners met here on Monday morning and transacted their first real business subsequent to the riot. Their first business was to act upon the request of Chief of Police H. H.

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

Harrison for a leave of absence for ten days. It was granted and he left for Chicago to at- tend the annual reunion of the Grand Armny of the Republic, of which he is a member. The coroner, E. O. Leberman announced that he would hold his inquest over the victims of the shooting during the latter part of the week, as evidence was rapidly being secured. The public authorities, both city and county, had already taken steps to bring about the arrest of all parties who had been active in the law- less proceedings of Wednesday night. De- tectives from Cleveland and Pittsburg were on the scene by Thursday and were fast securing evidence against the guilty ones. By Tues- day, the 28th, the authorities began to suffer from a perfect deluge of anonymous letters, threatening them all with death if any ar- rests were made. They paid no attention to these threats, but persevered in the task of run- ning down the criminals. Many of the riot- ers were strangers in the city and many others had left upon learning that they were likely to be brought to justice. Hence, the work was very difficult. Finally a special grand jury was impaneled and J. Park Alexander was made foreman of it. The county prosecutor. who had been indefatigable in the work, laid before it the evidence he had secured. True bills were returned against forty-one men and boys who had been the leaders of the mob. Soon the county jail was filled with the ac- cused persons. Officer John E. Washer ar- rested one man, Vernand Kempf, down in Tennessee, and brought him safely back to Akron. Upon his trial for shooting with in- tent to kill, he was found guilty and sen- tenced to imprisonment in the penitentiary for eighteen months. The other cases were disposed of as follows:

State of Ohio vs. William Hunt, George Brodt and James McNaughton-Charge, riot- ing. Hunt retraets his plea of not guilty and enters plea of guilty, and is sentenced to pay a fine of $25 and costs. Defendant McNaugh- ton plead guilty ; sentence, $20 and costs.

State of Ohio vs. Harry Earle, Jr .. Claude Bender, Andrew Morgan, Andrew Wilburn- Charge, rioting. Defendant Bender pleads

guilty, sentenced to workhouse for thirty days and pay $10 fine and costs. Nolle entered as to all the defendants except Bender.

State of Ohio vs. Walter Wingerter, Ar- thur Sprague, Frank Sickles, William Henry -Charge, burglary and larceny. Wingerter sentenced to the reformatory. Same as to de- fendants Sickles and Henry:

State of Ohio vs. Frank Bisson-Shooting with intent to kill or wound. Sentenced to Boys' Industrial School.

State of Ohio vs. Howard McClelland. Shooting with intent to kill or wound. Sen- tenced to penitentiary for one year.

State of Ohio vs. John Rhoden. Shooting with intent to kill or wound. Sentenced to penitentiary for one year.

State of Ohio vs. Charles Timmerman, David Spellman, Frank Wheeler, Joseph Higy-Charge, rioting. Defendant Wheeler plead guilty ; sentence, thirty days in jail and pay the costs. Defendant Spellman, $25 and costs. Dismissed as to Higy.

State of Ohio vs. Walter Wingerter, Frank Sickles and William Crile-Charge, rioting. Defendant Crile sentenced to pay $20 and costs

State of Ohio vs. Arthur Sprague, Norman Breckenridge and Edward Eppley-Charge, rioting. Brockenridge, thirty days in jail and $25 fine and costs. Sprague the same. Ep- pley, no trial.

State of Ohio vs. Sandy Coppard, William Henry and Edward Henry-Charge, rioting. All senteneed to thirty days in jail and $25 fine and costs.

State of Ohio vs. William Averill, Andrew B. Halter and Frank Bisson-Charge, rioting. Ilalter and Averill fined $50 and costs. Bis- son dropped from the docket.

State of Ohio vs. Charles Timmerman- Charge, breaking into prison and attacking officer for the purpose of lynching. Sen- tenced to penitentiary for one year.

State of Ohio vs. Edward Eppley, Harry Earle, Jr., and Oliver Morgan-Charge, un- lawful possession and use of dynamite. All sentenced to reformatory and to pay costs.

State of Ohio vs. William Averill-Charge.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

shooting, with intent to kill or wound. Sen- tenced to reformatory.

State of Ohio vs. Vernando Kempf-Charge, shooting with intent to kill or wound. Sen- tenced to penitentiary for eighteen months.

State of Ohio vs. Charles Fink and David Snyder-Charge, rioting. Defendant Fink pleads guilty; sentence, thirty days in jail, $25 and costs. Defendant Snyder plead guilty ; sentenced to pay $20 and costs.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 12

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150