Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1837-12-02
THE ALTON TRAGEDY.

Below will b found an official statement oil n
he proceedings Of the late Alton mob, prepared n
by the Mayor Of that city, who was present, . u
spectator Of the outrayes. II will be seen that a
yet published, and, if possible, renders the vio- /
lence obnoxious than it at first appeared to ii
be. The statement is calm and disPassionate. i
The Alton Spectator Of the 9th instant says r
We have delayed our paper ior the purpose of in
sorting the following statement OF the trlgical |
occurrence that took place in this city the 7th
instant. The Mayor presents a plain statement
Of facts without comment. This statement pre-
Cudes all remarks from US, except as to the coz,
Scctness Of the statement, which we have been
assured from various sources to be correct.
MAYORS OFFICE,
City Of Alton Nor. eth, 1887.
TO THE PUBLIC.
In order that the public mind may be correctly
informed Of the lamcntablc tragedy that was en-
acted in city, the night Of the seventh inst.
and with view Of preventing and correcting
distorted statements Of the proceedings Of the
mob and those persons against whom the attack
was directed, deem it incumbent on me, and pro-
per that should present in my official capacity,
pnin statement Of all tho facts connected with the
unhappy excitement that has so long agitated tho
peace and tranquility Of the citizens Of Alton
Without recurring to causes or results Of prcvi-
Gus excitcments in reference to the "Alfon Obser-
rcro press, and its final destruction, ! shall con-
fine myself TO the last and most melancholy &C.
currenco which has befaen city.
For several days past it had been announced
and generally believed that printing press was
hourly expected to he landed ut our wharf. II
had also been tho current rIn,or that this press
was intended for the establishment Of the ''At
son Obserrcr"-The circulation Of these rumors
produced no small degree Of excitement among
those who had taken a decided stand against the
ab0IiAion sentiments that were understood tn have
been disseminated through the columns Of the
"Obscrrcr.' Various reports Of n threatening
character against the landing Of the press we're
in circulation, which led the friends Of the Obser
and its editor TO mako preparations to defend
tho press, in case any violence should be offered
by those opposed to 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 Of
fetal interference desired. Immediately re-
paired To the wharf, and remained thore until the
press was landed and stored in the warehouse o
Messrs. Godfrey, Gilman e. Co. There nd
indication Of violence or resistance on the par
Of any ono at that time. The arrival Of the Sab
clifton press" (as it was caIIedO was generally
known IN the carly part Of tho day, which served
% Fc-kindlc the acknowledgements was
mado to the Common Council Of the ;hroatnins
reports which were in circulation. The Commos
Council did not, however, deem il necessary I,
take any action on tho subject. Gentlemen di
Tccty interested in protecting the press from mol
violence, doomed il expcdient to guard the ware
house with men and arms, in readiness TO rcss
violence should any be offered. During the ear
Raj Of the night Of Tuesday, it was reporsc'
~ armed men on guard within tho warehouse
About I'D O'Clock at night 20 or 30 persons ap
Peascd at the south end Of tho warehouse an,
gave some indications Of an attack. Mr. w. 8
Gilman, from the third story Of the warehouse nd
dressed those without and urged Thorn to desis,
and at the Same time informed them that tn
persons within the warehouse were prepared
and should cndcavor to defend their property. an
that serious consequences might cnsuc. Tho,
without demanded the press, and said thoy woul
not be satisfied until il was DESTROYED; said the
did not wish to injure any person, other proper
~, but insisted on having the Press. To whic
MIR. Gilman replied, that the Press could not b
given mp. The persons outside then repaired I
the north end Of tho building throwing stone
&C., and continued their violence for fifteen O
twenty minutes, when gun was fired from on
OF the windows Of tho warehouse, and a ma
named Lyman Bishop MORALLY wounded
He was carried to the surgeons office, and tn
mob withdrew and dispersed, with the exccptio
Of small number. Upon the first indication
Of disturbance, called on the civil authorize
most convenient, and repaired with all dispatc
70 tho sccno Of action. BY this time the firin
sfom the ware house, and the consequent death
one OF their number, Bishop died soon after
received the shot) had greatly Increased the c
citomcnt, and added To the numbers Of the mob
Owing to the late hour Of the night, but few ci
izens wcrC present ut the outset, except tho.
engaged IN the contest. Consequently the civ
authorities could do but little iowa r,ls dspersin
the mob. except by persuasion. A large nun
Dor Of people soon collected around me. W,
requested to 60 to tho warehouse and state
those within that those outside had resolved
destroy the press, and that they would not desi
till they had accomplished their object; that q
would retire until should return, which rogue
was made by reclamation, and all soon retired
await my return.
was replied to by those within the warehous
that they had assembled there to protect the
property against lawlcss violence. and that tn.
werc determined TO do 80. Tho mob began
gain to assemble with increased numbers, a,
with guns and weapons Of different kinds. / a
dressed the multitude, and commanded them
des'st and dispcrsc. to which they listened attc
lively and respectfully, but to purpose.
rush was now made to the warehouse with d
cry Of sire tho hOuse--burn them OUT Sc II
firing soon became fearful and dangerous betwe,
the contending parties, 50 much so that fIrth
interpretation on tho part Of civil authorities nj
citizens was beliey ed ALTOGETHER iu,dco,,,o .,