Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-11-18
MAYORS OFFICER
CRY or ALToS, Nav. 8, 1887. !
TO WE PUBLIC.

!. c.ae. that the nnhlic mind may be correct
~ Informed Of the Iamen,abie and fatal TRACE
dy that was enacted in our city on the night o
the 9TH instant. and with a REV Of preventing
and correcting distorted statements of the pro
ceedinos Of the mob and those persons agains
whom the attack was directed, deem it in
cumbent on me and proper, that should pre-
sent in my official capacity, - plain Statement
of all the facts connected with the unhappy
excitement that has so long agitated the peace
and tranquility ofthe citizens Of Alton. With
out recurring to the causes or results of preyi
Gus excitements in reference to the "ALTos
OBsgsyEa'' press and its final destruction,
shall confne my statement to the last and most
melancholy occurrence which has befallea gu,
For several days pastit had been announced
and generally believed that a printing press
was hourly expected TO be landed at our wharf.
II had also been the current rnrnor, that this
press was intended for the Te-essablishmeni Of
the .sALTos OBSERVER" The circulation Of
these rumoEs produced no small degree Of e1-
element among those who had taken decided
stand against the ABOLITION sentiments that
were understood to have been disseminated
through the columns Of tie "OssEgrEE." Va
rious reports of threatening character against
the landing Of the press were in circulation.
which led the friends Of the Obserrs and lis
editor 70 make preparations 10 defend the press.
in case any yioIences should be Offered By those
opposed TO the publication of that paper. On
Tuesday about o'clock in the moruing. was
called from my lodgings and informed that the
press had arrived at the wharf. and that my
official interference was desired. l immediate
" repaired to the wharf, and remained there
until the press was landed and stored in the
warehouse of Messrs. Godfrey. Gilman & Co.
There were no indications OF violence q pesis-;
lance on the par; Of any one a. tha' ilSs. Ate
arrival of the abolition press" Gas twas cali !
ed was generally known La The carly Psrs d /
that day, which served 20 rs-kinSIs ths excih- /
ment. Representation WIS made 10 the Con- ]
mon Council Of the threatening reports xaiei /
were 10 circulation. The Common Council i
did not, however, deem ii necessary 70 take
any action On tie subject. Gentlemen direct /
1y interested IN protecting the press from mob
violence, deemed it erpedieai 10 guard TAI !
warehouse with men and aras. IN readiness u /.
Yesis: violence, should any be offered. Durjn. !!
the early pan of the Eight 81 Tuesday, Ii wa
reported through the city that there were from /
30 70 ~ armed men On guard within The wsH-
house.
About 10 o'clock al nigh. 20 Of 30 psrseis !
appeared a, the south end Of The warsheuse
and gave some indications Of IN attack. Nh. I
w. 5. Gilman, from The third s.cry Of iis |
warehouse. addressed those with 18i- and usg-i
ed them TO desist, and a, the same time inioF-
med them that the persons within the ware
house were prepared and should endezrOr 70
defend their property, and that serious conse-
quences might enyae. Those without demand
ed the PRESS. and said ihey would moi be sa-
tis6ed until it was destroyed; said they did
not wish 70 iBlure any person Or other proper
y, but insisted on having the PRESS. To which
Dir. G. replied, that the press could not be CIV
en- up. The persons outside then repaired 70
the north end Of the building, and attacked the
building by throwing stones, &c. and contin-
ued their violence fer Is o, 20 minutes, when
gun was fired from one Of the windows Of
the warehouse, and man named LYMAN BIsH-
or was MORALLY wounded. He was carried
10 surgeons office, and the mob Withdrew
and dispersed, with the exception Of a small
number. Upon the first indication Of distur-
bsncs l called on the civil authorities most
convenient, and repaired with all dispatch 10
the scene Of action. By this time the firing
from the warehouse and the consequent death
Of one Of their number, Bishop died soon af-
Ter he received the shot, had greatly inefeas-
ed the excitement, and added TO the numbers
Of the mob. Owing to the late hour Of the
night, but few citizens were present at the on
ret, except those engaged in the contest. Con-
sequeDtly this civil authorities could do but lit
tle towards dispensing the mob, except by per-
suasion. A large number Of people soon col
leeted around me. was requested TO go to
the warehouse and state to those within that
those outside had resolved to destroy the press,
and that they would not desist until they had
accomplished their object; that all would re-
lire until should return, which request was
made by reclamation, and all soon retired to
await my return.
j was replied to by those within the ware
house, that they had assembled there to pro-
Get their property against lawless violence,
nd that they were determined to do so. The
mob began again to assemble with increased
numbers, and with guns and weapons Of differ
mt kinds. addressed the multitude and COM
handed them to desist and dispense, to which
hey listened attentively and respectfully, but
D no purpose rush was now made to the /
,srehouse, with the cry of fire the house,
Burn them out" &c. The firing soon became
Dasfal and dangerous between the contending
asties--so much 80 that the further interposi.
lon on tho part Of the civil authorizes and citi-
ems was believed altogether Inadequate and
azaSdous in the extFeme---no means were at
u control, or that Of any other officer present
! which the mob could be dispersed and the
10 Of life and the shedding Of blood prevent
!. Scenes Of tho most daring recklessness,
u infatuated madness followed in quick sue
,ssion. The building was surrounded and
. inmates wore threatened with extirmina-
- and death in the most frightful form ina
psbia Every means Of escape by fight
ere SuE ri. The scene now became one Of
: most appalling and heart-rending interest!