Sworn to before me this 24th day of August, 1900.
HERBERT PARSONS, Notary Public, N. Y. County.
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Mr. Sherman states in addition that his chief in the newspaper office
directed him to report the matter to the police authorities, and that
he spoke to Chief Devery, who said to him substantially, "A negro
killed a policeman up there, and they can't be controlled."
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_City and County of New York, ss._:
My name is W. H. Cooper. I reside at 340 West 41st Street. On the
morning of August 15th, about half past nine, I went from the house
to the post office station at the southwest corner of 41st Street and
8th Avenue. When I reached that corner I saw a group of white men and
boys standing at the corner. When I passed this group at this corner I
overheard one of them saying, "We are going to get back at the niggers
to-night." One of the others said, "Is that true? Is there going to
be a riot to-night?" and the reply was "Yes." When I heard this I
went around the corner. There was a bicycle pump there. I went behind
the bicycle pump like I was looking in the window. I could overhear
everything that was said. One of the fellows said, "Have they buried
Thorpe, yet?" "No, we expect to bury Thorpe to-day;" and he says, "We
expect to have a hot time to-day when the funeral starts." It was
rumored around that he was to be buried on the day of the riot, but he
was not buried, however, until the next day. One of the fellows said,
"Have they got the nigger Harris, yet?" "Yes," he said, "they caught
him down at Washington, and if we can get our hands on him we will tar
and feather the bastard;" and I went into the drug store and came out
again after mailing my letter. When I came out I stood on the corner
and filled my pipe, and I overheard them say, "Have they got the woman
yet?" and they said, "Yes, she is locked up;" and the other fellow
said, "Well, that is all to-night." I did not move on until one of
the fellows said, "There is a coon standing there now; you had better
hush." Then I went down home and told the boys at the shop about it.