The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-11-22
THE RIOT AT ALTON.
Mayors Office. CRY OF ALroS, Nov. 9th, 1887.
TO THE PUBLIC,

~
La order that the public mind may be
correctly informed of the lamen,able and
fatal tragedy that was enacted in our city
on the night of the 9TH inst. and with view
of preventing aud correcting distorted state
ments of the proceedings of the mob and
those persons against whom the attack was
directed, deem il incumbent on me and
proper, that should present, in my official
capacity. plain statement of all the facts
connected with the unhappy excitement,
that has SO long aeitated the peace aud
tranquility of the citizens of Alton. With
out recurring TO the causes or results of
previous exitements in reference to the
" Alton Observer" and its final destruction.
| shall confine my statement to the late and
NEST melancholy occurrence which has be-
fallen our city.
For several days past il had been an-
nounced AND generally believed, that a
printing press was hourly expected TO be
landed at our wharf 1t had also been the
current rumor, that Tins press was intended
| for the re-eslablishment of the +" Alton OBJ
scrver."-The circulation of these rumors
produced no small degree Of excitement, a
nlong those who had taken a decided stand
against the abolition sentiments that we're
understood to have been disseminated
through the columns Of the "Observer."
Various reports of a threstening character
agains, the landing of the press were in cir
culaton, which led the friends of the OBJ
server and its editor to make preparations
to defend the press, in case any violence
should be offered by those opposed to the
publication of that paper. On Tuesday a
bout O'Clock in the morning, was called
from my lodgings and informed that the
press had arrived at the wharf, and that
my official interference was desired. i'm
mediately repaired To the wharf and re-
mained there until the press was landed and
stored in the warehouse of Messrs. Godfrey,
Gilman * Co. There were no indications
! of violence or resistance on the part
of any one at that time. The arrival of
the " abolition press" (as it was called
was generally known in the early part
of that day, which served to re-kindle
the excitement. Representation was made
to the Common Council of the threatening
reports which were in circulation. The
Common Council did not, however, deem
il necessary To take any action on the snb-
ject. Gentlemen directly interested in pro-
ecting the press from mob violence, deem
ed it expedlent to guard the warehouse with
men aud arms, in readiness to resist vio-
Ience, should any be offered. During the
early part of the night of Tuesday, it was
reported through the city that there were
from 80 to 40 armed men on guard within
the warehouse.
About ten scock at night 20 or 80 per-
sons appeared at the south end of the ware
house, and gave some indications of an at
tack. Mr.. w. S. Gilman, from the third
story of the warehouse, addressed those
without, and urged them to dssist, and at
the same time informed them that the per-
sons in the warehouse were prepared, and
should endeavor to protect their property,
and that serious consequences might ensue.
! Those without demanded the press, and
said they would not be satisfied unless 1t
was destroyed said they did not wish to
injure anv person, or other properly, but
insisted upon having the press. To which
Mr.. G. replied that the press could no, be
! given mp. The persons out side then re-
paired to the north end of the building, and
attacked the building by throwing stones,
&c, and continued their violence for l5 or
20 minutes, when gun was fired from one
of the windows of the warehouse, and n
man named Lyman Bishop was mortally
wounded. He was carried 10 surgeons
office, and then the mob Withdrew aud dis
Ipersed, with the exception of n small num-
her. Upon the first indication of distur-
bance called on the civil authorities most
convenient, and repaired will, all dispatch
to the scene of action. BY this time the fir
ing from the warehouse and the consequent
] death of one of their number, Bishop died
.oou after he received the shot, had great
ly increased 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 onset, except those engaged
in the contest. Consequently the civil au-
thorities could do but little toward disper-
sing the mob, except by persuasion. A
large number of people soon collected a.
round me. l was requested tc go to the
warehouse, and state to those within that
those outside had resolved to destroy the
press, and that they would not dcsst until
they had accomplished their object; that
all would retire unu! | should return, which
request was made by acclamation, and all
soon retired TO await my return.
was replied to by those within the
warehouse, that they had assembled there
to protect their property against lswless
violence, and that they were determined to
do so. The mob began again to assemble
with increased numbers and with guns and
weapons of different kinds. ] addressed
the multitude and commanded them to de-
sst aud dsperse, to which they listened at
tentively, and respectfully, but to no purpose
"a rush was now made to the warehouse
with the cry of /" fire the house," burn
them out" &c. The firing soon became
fearful and dangerous between the contend
ing parties-so much so that the farther in