Litchfield enquirer., 1837-11-30
From de Cincinaafi Journal.
 ALTON, Qll.) Nov. 8, lsS7.

q returned from viewing the lifeless corpse of two of our citizens, and from the bedsides of two others who were wounded. Of the two former, our brother Lovejoy was one. and of the latter, our mutual and worthy friend MT. Rolf. Yes, Loveioy has fallen victim to the violence of band of armed ruffians, fal- len nobly too, in defence of those unaliena- ble rights which were given to him by God, and guaranteed to him by the constitution Rights as precious to you and to me, and to every other American citizen as they were to him. So he felt them to be. grieve and am mortified when say it, but such scenes have been acted over in Alton within the last week, as would disgrace any town on the coast of Algiers. Steamboats have been boarded indiscriminately by armed ruffians. Travellers goods and boxes of furniture, have been seized and broken open, in quest of printing presses, and their persons and lives have been threatened, for remonstra- ting against it-scenes similar to this have been acted over on almost every boat that has touched our shores within the last week or ten days. ~ @
 On Monday night, the obnoxious press, so long looked for, arrived. Its friends had ta- ken the precaution to have it landed late in the night, when it was supposed mob would hardly be raised. They tooltthe further pre- caution to have about 50 armed men secre- ted in the ware-room, ready for the service of the Mayor, at any moment. While the press was landing, the spies of the enemy were seen lurking about, and the sound of their horn was raised, shrill and long. But whether the enemies of peace and order were buried too deep in the arms of Bacchus and sleep, or whether they feared the formida- ble preparations that were made to receive them, I know not There were no further molestations than the throwing of stone or two while the press was removed into the ware-room of Messrs. Godfrey, Gilman & Co. Things remained quiet yesterday, say. ing the threats and imprecations that were heard along the streets, against MT. Lovejoy and the press. Mir. L.'s life was threatened openly and repeatedly. The Attorney Ge- neral of the State was heard to say emphat- ically and significantly that Mir. l.. would
 be killed within two weeks" Soon after dark, there were unwonted gatherings m cer-
 tain Coffee Houses. Here the spirit of ven- geance which had been ranking in their breasts, was excited to desperation by spirit behind the counter. By about 10 o'clock, they were prepared for the work.
 Accordingly they repaired to the ware- house of Godfrey, Gilman & Go. They com- menced the attack by hurling volleys of stones through the windows and doors. Mir. w. s. Gilman appeared in the door of the 2d story, and addressed the mob in his pe- culiarly kind and impressive manner. He earnestly and affectionately advised them to desist from violence; told them the property was left with him on storage; that he was bound to protect it. Assured them that mo- body in the building had any ill will against any of them, and that they should all depre- cate doing any of them any injury. At the mo lime ho accY,rad fhoro fhof thu YHrpcc would not be delivered up, but that he and his associates would defend it at the risk and sacrifice of their lives. He was answered by fresh volley of stones Those inside then disposed of themselves at the different doors and windows, and prepared to defend it to the last. They all agreed that no gun should be fired till the doors were burst open, or till there was some firing from without. Volley after volley of stones were hurled into the windows and against the doors, then gun was fired into the window from the mob.- Presently second gun was fired. The balls were heard to whistle through the window, but neither of them did any injury. At this juncture, one of the party within, with the consentsand by the advice. of the rest, level led his gun upon the mob. One man fell, mortally wounded. His associates took him up and carried him away to physician, and the mob dispersed. The young man died in about half an hour. The mobites have to- day taken great deal of pains to send a. broad the impression that this young man was a stranger, and was present only as a spectator, and took no part in the riot. But l have ascertained that there is no truth in this statement. He was a carpenter by trade; and was at work yesterday for MT.
 Rolf, and was heard repeatedly to boast dur
 ing the day, of the part he intended to act last night. have just been told also, by very respectable citizen, that he saw him just before he was shot, very actively enga- ged in throwing stones into the windows. learn that his name was Bishop, recently from GeneEee county, New York. ...
 In about an hour after the mob had had time to repiue their spirits, and recruit their courage in the aforesaid Cofee Houses, they returned with increased numbers, and armed with gurs and nuskets, &c. &c. and recom- menced the attack with renewed violence.-- They formed on the east side of the store, where there are no doors or windows, and oc- casionally fire was given from each party. Whiskey was brought and distributed pro. fusely among them, and all were exhorted to be " good men and true." Occasionally one of the mob was heard to sing out, eff any more guns and whiskey are wanted, away to the French Coffee House." Baffled in their attempt to gain admittance into the store by the doors and windows, they resolved unani- mously, with shout which cleft the air, to fire the building, and "shoot every damned abolitionist in it, as they should attempt to escape" Accordingly a ladder was made, and combustibles prepared, and man as- cended to the roof. Presently it was in a blaze. Meantime the company within sent out a detachment of or 5 of their number to prevent it. MT. Lovejoy was of the num- Der. The man on the ladder was fired at, and wounded. Just about this time, MT.