The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-28
orFIcIAL ACCOUNT OF THE ALTON
AFFAIR.
Mayors OvvIcE, CRY ov ALTON. /
Nov. 9Th, 1887. !
TO THE PUBLIC.

NOV. oths 1901.
TO THE PUBLIC.
Tn order that the public mind may be correctly in
formed Of the lamentable and fatal tragedy that was
enacted in our city the night OF the 7th instant and
with view Of preventing and correcting distorted
statements Of the proceedings Of the mob and those
persons against whom the attack directed, deem
II incumbent on and proper, that should present
in my official capacity, plain statement OF oil the
facts connected with tho unhappy excitement that has
30 long sgtated the peace and tranquility Of the CHI
zens OF Alton. Without recurring to the causes or
results OF previous excitements in reference TO the
ALTON Observer press and its final destruction shall
confne my statement to the last and most melancholy
occurrence which has bcfallen our city.
For several days past il had been announced, ana
generally believed, that printing press was hourly
expected 10 be landed at our wharf Il had also been
the current rumor, that this press was intended for
the re-establishment Of the Alton Observer" The
circulation Of these rumors produced small degree
Of excitement among those who had taken decided
stand against the abolition sentiments that We're un-
destood to have been disseminated through the columns
of the Observer" Various reports Of a threatening
character against the landing Of the press in crcu
laton, which led the friends Of the Observer and its
editor make preparations defend the press In case
any violence should be offered by those opposed 70 the
publication Of that paper. On Tuesday, about three
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 desired imme-
diately repaired to the wharf, and remained there until
the press landed and stored in the warehouse oil
Messrs. Godfrey, Gilman * Go. There was no indi-
cations Of violence resistance the part Of any one
at that time.
The arrival Of the abolition press Gas it was called
generally known in the early part of that day. which
served to reknde the excitement Representation was
made to tho Common Council Of the threatening reports
which were in circulation The Common Council did
not however, deem Il necessary to take any action on
49, tod in
ing the press from mob violence deemed expedien 10
guard the warehouse with and arms readiness to
resist violence should any be offered. During the early
part Of the night Of Tuesday reported through
the city that there from 80 to 40 armed men on
guard within the warehouse,
About 10 o'clock at night 90 or 80 persons appeared
at the south end Of the warehouse and gave some ndi
cations Of attack Mr.. w. s. Gilman, from the
third story of the warehouse addressed those without,
and urged them desst and at the time informed
them that the persons within the warehouse were pre-
pared and should endeavor defend their property, and
that serious consequences might Those without
demanded the Press, and said they would not be salts
fed until it destroyed and they did not wish to
nure any person other property but insisted on hay
ing the Press. To which Mr. G. replied that tho press
could not be given up. The persons outside then re-
paired to the north of the building, and attacked the
building by throwing stones, &c and continued their
violence for Is or 20 minutes, when gun fired
from Of the windows Of the warehouse, and man
named Lyman Bishop, was MORALLY wounded He was
carried 10 surgeon office, and the mob withdrew and
dispersed with the exception of small number.
Upon the first indication Of disturbance, | called
upon the civil authorities most convenient and repaired
with all despatch to the Of action BY this time
the firing from the warehouse and the consequent death
Of one Of their number, Bishop died after he re-
ceiyed the shot, had greatly increased the excitement
and added to the numbers Of the mob. Owing TO the
late hour Of the night but few citizens present at
the onset except those engaged in the contest Con-
sequently, the civil authorities could do but little to-
wards dispensing the mob, except by persuasion
large number Of people collected around me-
requested go the warehouse and those
within that those outside had resolved to destroy the
press, and that they would desst until they had
complished their object that all would retire until
should return, which request made by acclamaton
and all soon retired to await my return. II.
| was replied TO by those within the warehouse that
they had assembled there to protect their property against
lawlcss violence and that they determined 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-
sis and dsperse which they listened aentvely and
respectfully, but to no purpose rush was now made
to the warehouse. with the cry Of fire the house.,
"burn them out" SC. The firing soon became fearful
and dangerous between the contendng partesso much
that the further interposon the part Of the civil
authorities and citizens was believed altogether made
quate and hazardous in the extremeno at
my control that any other officer present. by which
the mob could be dispersed and the loss Of life and she'd
ding OF blood prevented. Scenes Of the most daring
reckessness and Infatuated madness followed in quick
succession. The building surrounded and the in
mates were threatened with determination and death in
the most frightful form imaginable, Every means Of
escape by flight we're cut of. The became
one Of the most appalling and heart rendng interest =!
Fifteen or twenty citizens, among whom were some Of
our most worthy and enterprising, apparently
doomed to unenvable and inevitable death if the
flames continued.
About the time the FIRE first communicated to the
building, Rev. E. P. I.ovejoy Qate editor Of the Oh
seyer received four balls in his breast the door
of the house, and fell corpse in few seconds,
two others from the ware house were wounded. Sc
veral persons engaged in the attack severely
wounded, the wounded however are not considered
dangerous The contest had been raging for an hour
more, when the persons in the house, by
means (he exact manner it was done have not been
able TO ascertan) intlmated that they would abandon
the house and the press, provided that they per-
United to depart unmolested
The doors were soon thrown open and those within
retreaed down Front street Several guns were fired
upon them while retreating, and one individual had
cscape-a ball passed through his near his
shoulder. large number Of persons now rushed into
the house. threw the press upon the wharf, where
it broken in pieces and thrown into the river The
fire in the roof Of the house exlngushed by
who deserves great praise for his courageous
interference, and but little damage doue by it
the building No disposition seemed to be manifested
to destroy any other property in the house. With
out further attempts at violence the mob dispersed
snd no further open indications Of disorder violence
has been manifested.
The foregoing is stated on what consider undoubt-
ed authority, and mostly from my personal know
ledge.
JOHN NJ KRUM, Mayor.
IMPORTANT FROM CANADA. a.n