Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-11-30

AZ "hiCn Mr. In 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, Sc,
and continued their violence for Is O,
10 minutes. when a gun was fred
from one OF the windows of the ware.
house, and a man named Lyman Sish.
op was MORALLY wounded. He wa.
carried to surgeons office, and the
mob withdrew and dispersed, with the
exception Of a small number. Upon
The hrst indication Of disturbance I call.
ed on the civil authorities most conye.
nien', and repaired with all despatch 20
the scene OF action. By this time the
hnng from the warehouse and the con.
sequent death OF one of their number
Bishop died soon after he received the
shoD had greatly increased the excite.
ment, and added to the numbers OF the
mob. Owing to the late hour OF the
night, but few citizens were present NJ
the onset, except those engaged in the
contest. Consequently the civil au-
'horities could do but little towards dis
persIDg the mob, except by persuasion
A large number Of persons soon col
lected around me. I was requested 70
go 10 the warehouse and state 10 those
within that those outside had resolved
TO destroy the press, and that the
would not desist until they had accom-.
'Piished their object; that ali would re.
tire until should return. which reques,
was made by reclamation, and 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 10 do so. The mob began
again to assemble with increased num-
bers, and with guns and weapons of
different kinds. / addressed the mul.
tItude and commanded them 20 desist
and disPerse, TO which they listened
very aitentively and respectfully but 10
no purpose rush was now made 10
the warehouse. with the cry of fire
the house" "burn them out"
The firing soon became fearful and
dangerous between the contending par
ties-so much. SO that the further inter
position on the part Of the civil author
tiles and citizens was believed altoee
Their inadequate and hazardous in the
extreme-no means were at my con-
troll, or that Of any other officer pre-
sent. by which me mob could be dis
Persed and the loss Of life and the shed.
ding Of blood prevented. Scenes OF
the most daring recklessuess and infu-
rated madness followed in quick sue.
cession. The building was surround
ed and the inmates were threatened
with exlirpation and death in the most
fnghtful form imaginable. Every
means OF escape by flight were cut off.
The scene nov became one Of the most
appalling and heart srending interest :
Fifteen OF twenty citizens, among whom
were some of our most worthy and en-.
terPrising, were apparently doomed 10
an unenviabie and inevitable death II
the flames continued. About the time
the ire was communicated TO the build
ing, Rev. E. p. Lovejoy, ute editor OF
the O6serrer) received four balls in his
breast, near the door OF the warehouse.
and fell corpse in few seconds; two
others IN :he warehouse were wound.
&c. Several persons engaged in the
attack, were severely wounded; the
wounded however, are not considered
dangerous. The contest haG been rag.
ing for an hour or more. when the per.
sons IN the warehouse, by some means
(the exact manner have not been able
to ascertain) intimated that they would
abandon the house and the press, pro.
vided thatthey were permitted 10 depart
unmolested. The doors were soon
thrown open and those within retreated
down Front street. Several guns were
fired upon them while reireating. and
one individual had a narrow escape
a ball passed through his coat near his
shoulder. A large number Of persons
now rushed into the warehouse, threw
the press upon the wharf, where II was
broken IN pieces and thrown into the
river. The FIRE IN the roof Of the ware.
house was extinguished BY a spectator.
Who deserves great praise for his cour-
ageous interference, and but little da.
mage was done by Il 10 the building
No disposition seemed TO be manifest.
ed TO destroy any other property in the
warehouse. Without further attempts
at violence the mob now dispersed and
no further open indications Of disorder
or violence have been manifested.
The foregoing is stated on what /
CONSIDER undoubted authority. and
mostly from my own personal know
ledge. JOHN VI. KRUM
Mayor.
- e2onfes