Section 71. Liability for damages by mobs and riots

A city or county shall
  be liable to a person whose property is destroyed or injured therein  by
  a  mob  or  riot,  for  the damages sustained thereby, if the consent or
  negligence of such person did not  contribute  to  such  destruction  or
  injury,  and  such  person  shall  have used all reasonable diligence to
  prevent such damage, shall have notified  the  mayor  of  the  city,  or
  sheriff  of  the county, of a threat or attempt to destroy or injure his
  property by a mob or riot, immediately upon  acquiring  such  knowledge,
  and  shall  bring  an  action  therefor  within  three months after such
  damages were sustained. A mayor or sheriff receiving notification  of  a
  threat  or  attempt to destroy or injure property by a mob or riot shall
  take all lawful means to protect such property; and if he shall  neglect
  or  refuse, the person whose property shall be destroyed or injured, may
  elect to bring his action for damages against such  officer  instead  of
  the city or county.