The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-11-28

Inc following account of the Alton Riot Is from
the Cincinnati Journal.
ALTON, ILL.,, Nov. 8, 1887,
take up my pen to address you under peculiarly
solemn circumstances. have Just returned from
visiting the liieess corpse of two Of our citizens
and from the bed-sides of two others who were
wounded or the former, our brother Loveloy was
one, and of tho latter, our mutual friend Mr. Rolf
Yes, Lovejoy has fallen victim to the violence of
d band Of armed rufians-falen nobly too, in de-
fence of those nalienable rights which were given
to HIM by God, and guaranteed TO HIM by the Con-
stitution Rights as precious 10 you and to me, and
TO every other citizen, as they were to him. So he
felt them TO be. Had it been merely a question of
his own private rights, he would willingly, gladly
retired from the field of too much strife and turmoil
and enjoyed quiet repose in tho midst of his aflec-
Tomato but now deeply distressed family. But he
felt that God, in his Providence, had placed HIM in
the gap, and he dare not leave his post, whatever
might be the consequence. grevo and am morti-
fed when say it, but scenes have been acted over
in Alton within the last week would disgrace
any town on the coast of Algiers. Steamboats, have
been boarded indiscriminatcy by armed ruilians.
Travelers 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 demonstrating against itscenes like this
acted over on almost every boat that has touched
our shores within the last week ten days.
On Monday night the obnoxious press so long
looked for arrived. Its friends had taken the pre-.
caution 10 have it landed late in the night when it
was supposed that II mob would hardly be raised.
LheY took further precauton TO have about fifty
armed men sCcretcd 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
raised, shrill and long. But whether the enemies
OF peace and good order were buried too deep in the
arms of Bacchus aud sleep, whether they feared
the formidable preparations that were made TO see
them, L know not. There was no further molesta-
ton than the throwing of stone or two while the
press was removed into the room of Messrs.
Godfrey, Gilman 81 Co. Things remained quiet
yesterday, saving the threats and imprccations that
were heard along the street, against Loveloy and
the press. Mr. LIS life was threatened openIv and
repeatedly. The Attorney General Of the state was
heard to say emplatically and significantly that
Hr LOOcjoy ao0uid be KILLED 1ciihin tac0 acccIs."
Soon after dar there were unwonted gatherings in
certain coffee houses Here the spirit of vengeance
which had been ranking in their breasts was OK
cited to desperation by spirit behind The counter
About ten o'clock they were prepared for the
work.
Accordingly they repaired to the warc.house Of
Godircy, Gilman & Co. They commenced the at
tack by hurting volleys of stones, through the win
dows and doors. MrW. S. Gilman appeared in the
door of the second story, and addressed the mob in
his KIND and impressive manner. lie earnestly and
aliectionately advised them to dcsist from violence
told them the property was left with HIM storage;
that lie was bound to protect it, Assured them
That nobody in the building had any ill-wll against
any OF them, and that they should all deprecate do.
ing them any injury. At the time he.assured
them That the press would not be delivered up, but
mat 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 dis
posed of themselves mt the different doors and win
dows and prepared to defend it to the last. They
all agreed that no gun should be fired until the doors
were burst open, ill there was some firing from
without Noley after voIey of stones were hurled
mo the windows and against the doors, then gun
was fired into the window from the mob Pres
emily second gun was fired. The balls were heard
10 whistle through the window, but neither of them
did any injury.
At this juntture, one fthe party within, with the
consent and by the advice of the Ies. leveled his
gun upon tho mob One man fell MORALLY wound
ed. His associates took him up and carried him
away TO a physician, and the mob dispersed. The
young man died in about half hour. Tie
mobiles have taken great pains to send abroad the
impression that this young man was stranger, and
was present only as spectator, and took part in
the riot. l have ascertaued that there is truth
in this statement. He was carpenter by trade,
and was at work yesterday for MIR Rolf, and was
heard repeatedly to boast during the day, OF the
part he intended to act last night. have Just been
told also by very respectful citizen, that he saw
him before he was shot, very actively engaged
throwing stones into the windows [ learned his
name was Bishop, recently from Gencsee county,
New York.
In about an hour, after the mob had time TO re-
we their spirits, and recruit their courage in the
aforesaid Coffee House, they returned with increas
ed numbers and armed with guns and muskets, &c
Nc, and recommended the attack with renewed
violence. They formed the east side Of the store
where there are no doors and windows, and occas-
ion"ly fire was given from each party. Whskey
brought and distributed profiIsely among them
ana all were eXhorted TO be good men and true -
Occasionally Of the mob was heard to sing out
elf any more guns and whiskey is wanted, away to
the French Coffee Houses" Bafllcd in their at
tempt to gain admtance into tho by the doors
and windows, they resolved unanimously, with a
shout which cleft the air, to fire the building
"aned shoot crcry damned aJolitionst in IL rs MSv
Should attempt to escape" Accordingly ladder
was made, and comhustblcs prepared, and man
assembled to the roof Presently it was in a blaze.
Meantime tho company within sent out detach.
mont of four or five of their number to prevent it.
Mr. Lovcjoy was of the number. Tho man on
inc ladder was fired at and wounded Just about
TINS time, Mr. Lovejoy, who standing near the
ladder, was deliberately aimed at by man who
$1,000 lew yards from him, and shot down. He
jumped up after he was shot, went into the count
ing room, exclaming, L" I am shot am dead
man, and fell down and expired in few moments.
Those within perceiving the building fire, and
that it, together with its valuable contents must in
evitably tbo destroyed, and the press which they
were defending with it, proposed to capitunte.
They were assured by those without, that if they
Il tLoL ,,,I.