Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-12-02

ID 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 or resistance of any one at that
time. The arrival of the "Abolition
press las it was called) was generally
known in the early part of the day,
which served to re-kindle the excite
ment. Representations were made to
the common council of the threatening
reports which were in circulation. The
common council did not, however,
deem it necessary to take any action on
the subject. Gentlemen directly inter
ested' in protecting the press from mob
violence, deemed it expedient to guard
the warehouse with men and arms, in
readiness to resist violence should any
be offered. Daring the early part Of the
night of Tuesday it was reported
through the city that there were from
30 to 40 mem armed on guard within
the warehouse.
About 10 o'clock at night, 30 OF 80
persons appeared at the south end Of the
warehouse and gave some indications
OF an attack. Mr.. w. S. Gilman from
the third story of the Warehouse, ad-
dressed those from without and urged
them to desist,and at thesame time inform
ed them that persons within the ware
house was prepared and should endeav.
or to defend their property, and that Sc
rious consequences might ensue. Those
outside demanded the press and SAID that
they would not be satisfied until the press
was destroyed said they did not wish
TO injure any person, or other property,
but insisted on having the press. To
which Mr.. G. replied that the press
could not be given up. The persons
outside then repaired to the north end of
the building, and attacked the building
by throwing stones &C., and continued
their violence for fifteen or twenty min
utes, when a gun was fired from one of
the windows of the ware house and a
man named Lyman Bishop was mortal
lv wounded. He was carried to sur
geon's office and the mob withdrew and
dispersed, with the exception of small
number. Upon tie first indications Of
violence called Rpon the civil anlhori-
ties most convenient andrepaired with all
despatch to the scene of action. BY
this time the firing from the warehouse
and the consequent death of one of their
number, Bishop died soon after he was
shot.) bad greatly increased the excite
ment, and added to the numbers
of the mob. Owing to the late
hour of the night but few ofthe citizens
were present at the outset, except those
engaged in the contest. Consequently
the civil authorities could do but little to-
wards dispensing the mob, except by
persuasion. A large number of people
soon collected around me. | was reques-
ted to 60 to the warehouse and state to
those within that those outside had re-
solved to destroy the press, and that
they would not desist until they had
accomplished their object ; that all would
retire until | should return, which re-
quest was made by aclamation, 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
lawless violence, and that they were
determined to do so. The mob began
again to assemble with increased num-
bers, and with guns and weapons of diff.
ferent kinds. | addressed the multitude,
and commanded them to desis. and dis
perse. To which they listened atten
lively and respectfully,but to no purpose
A rush was now made to the ware
house, with cry of fire the house
burn them out" &c. The firing soon
became fearful and dangerous between
the contending parties, so much SO that
further interpositionson the part Of the
civilauthorilies and the citizens was be-
lieved altogether inadequate, and haz-
ardous in the extreme: no means were
at my control, or that Of any officer pres
ent, by which the mob could be disper-
sed, and the loss of life and the shedding
of. blood prevented. Scenes ofthe most
daring recklessness and infuriated mad
ness followed In quick succession. The
building was surrounded, and the. in
mates threatened with determination
in the most frightful form imaginable.
Every means to escape by flight were
cut off. The scene now became one ofthe
most appalling and hearl-rending inter-
estl Fifteen or twenty citizens, among
whom were some Of the most worthy
and enterprising, were apparently DOOM