In the meantime the rioters were planning for desperate acts. The President of the United States having been notified of the situation ordered General Gibbon, who was stationed at Vancouver, to move his troops to our aid. On the morning of Feb. 10th Col. deRussy came with the 14th Infantry. General Gibbon immediately issued his order to all disorderly persons to disperse, which had its effect. Their coming was a great relief to the Guards and militia, who had been on constant duty three days and nights without sleep or rest.
As soon as relieved by the Regular Troops, the local force assembled at the Court House, their Headquarters. It was apparent to us now that our difficulties were about at an end. Speeches were called for from the following named officers and men: Capt. George Kinnear of the Home Guards, Rev. L. A. Banks, Judge R. S. Greene, Judge Thomas Burke, Capt. J. C. Haines of Company D, Capt. Joseph Greene, Lieut. L. R. Dawson and Sergt. James Hamilton Lewis of Company B, Sheriff John H. McGraw, Lieut. Hatfield of the Home Guards, Capt. Chas. A. Kinnear of the University Cadets, Mayor H. L. Yesler, Alfred Holman and Gov. Squire, who responded, congratulating all on our success in maintaining the law against the greatest effort made anywhere on the Coast.
During all this time the Fire Department performed valuable service under command of Chief Gardner Kellogg. He kept his force continually on duty, guarding the engine house equipment and patroling the part of the city in most danger, ready at any moment to put out a fire if one should be started.
A few days later steps were taken to increase the local force to better protect the city when the regular troops should leave. Recruiting began and in a few days the Company of Home Guards, Seattle Rifles and Company D were filled to 100 men each. Then another Company was raised of 100 men and E. M. Carr made Captain. The entire force was armed, mainly with army rifles. These men came from every walk and business in life,—lawyers, bankers, doctors, business men and mechanics, old and young. We secured the site of the old skating rink on Second Ave., where we drilled this force day and night until they were all quite skillful and efficient in their movements.
The Regular troops remained in the City about a month. We soon saw after the troops left we had made no mistake in perfecting our military force and making it stronger. During all the time the troops were here the mob kept its mutterings
10
