Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-06-15
(From the Boston Atlas OF Monday last.
RlOT--COLLTSION OF
THE FIREMEN WITH THE IRISH.

I, sented q scene OF extraordinary Confusion and
excItemeni-growin out of riot of the most
serious character, that has resulted in a la
mentable destruction Of properiy-much per-
sonal inJnry-though we have reason To be.
'ieve without loss OF life.
Il IL commenced during the progress Of the
religious services OF the afternoon, and rs we
learn IN the following manner. The mrm-
bers OF Englne No. 20 were returning from
the hre,ln Roxbnry out with The "a
tlgues to which they have been for the last
fortnight nightly exposed, to an extent hith-
erto without parallel. The engine house
~ situated IN East street. The company had
Just reached II, and were about turning in
the engine, when they came in collision with
an Irish funeral. Several statements have
come to us touching the first provocation; but
as nearly as we can lcurn the particulars we
give them below.
The engine and engncmcn were ON the
sidewalk. The procession also occupied the
sidewalk, and some of them ordered off the
cnginemen. Some of the company uegest-
ed that the procession could conveniently
move in the street without disturbing the en-
ginemen. The lrishmen would not give way,
but persevcred in their determination to pass
knocking down two of the members of No.
~. Tins we understand to have been the
iIrst demonstration OF violence. The melee
soon became general. The enginemen were
driven back: the lrishmen took possession of
the Honse, and upset the engine.
The members of the company then repair
ed to the churches and rang the bells; where
upon the different engines collected on the
spot, and both parties soon received large ac-
crssions of numbers. The lrishmen collect
ed to the number Of more than three hundred,
armed with stones, brickbats and clubs. The
firemen, with the citizens, drove them back
through Purchase street to Broad street,
Meanwhile many thousands had assembled.
Missiles ot every description were flying in
all directions, and many individuals on both
sides were severely injured.
Mr. Charles Sears-recently foreman ofthe
Hook ~ Ladder Company-and the man who
distinguished himself 10y his boldness in as
cending the steeple of the Hollis street
Church the other day-was badly wounded
and thrown into the dock, at some point be-
tween l'ileston and Liverpool wharves. He
was rescued and borne of on a litter. Re-
ports of his death were current throughout
the afternoon. There is no doubt that his
wounds are such as to endanger his life
though we have no certain information of his
decease. Ills wounds were in the head, and
inflicted by an axe.
MIR. Barnes Of engine No. l, was carried
oft in n chaisc severely wounded. We un-
derstand that he is out of danger. Many 9TH
ler members Of different companies were more
or less injured
The Irish maintained their ground, retreat
ing inch by inch through Purchase street,
fercely pursued by the multitude. Mean
while several of the companies retnrned TO
their respective engine houses, and differ
ent kind ofconbatants mingled in the afiray.
An intense excitement prevailed. The
usual recklessness and disregard Of life ex-
libited in all such scenes were displayed in
every direction. When the multitude reach
ed the corner Of Broad and Purchase streets,
they broke The windows Of several houses in
labilrd by Irish residents, entered the hou-
ses, broke up the furniture, and emptied the
contents of the feather beds. The arr for
some distance ABOUT the spot was filed with
feathers. Meanwhile the fight continued
3 or 400 men and boys being actively engag-
ed on both sides.
The Mayor was scnsonably on the spot
Seeing the couise things were taking. he
promptly adopted measures To- call out the
military; and portions of several regular CON-
panies soon collected at Faneul Hall, and
;
this time the force Of the riot was spont-and
comparative order was restored. Still many
thousands were collected in the vicinity, who
were called upon to disperse. and Immediate.
ly retired.
The number of individuals on borR sides at
any time engaged in the sffray did not ex.
cerd six or seven hundred. OF the persons
injured, many were spectators collected from
curiosity. The results Of the riot have been
less serions than might have been expected
from its duration, its excitements, and the
numbers collected. There have been many
battered and broken heads, no doubt, and
many bodily bruises: but we are inclined to
believe that there has been no actual loss OF
life.
Among the citizens on the spot most active
in queling the riot-and protecting the indl-
vidnals arrested from the violence with which
they were threatened, we noticed Mr.. Abbot
Lawrence, our late representative IN Con-
gress, whose exertions deserve a particular
mention. Messrs. Thomas B. Curtis, Robert
G. Winthrop, Joseph NJ. Brown, and Henry
Edwards, with Mr.. Lawrence, attended the
Nlayor by request as his aids, and rendered
valuable assistance. The corps Of cavalry
under Gen. Davis performed very useful
service IN clearing the streets.
The Mayor took the precaution to place
guard at every church in the city, to prevent
any ialse alarm that might arise during the
night, with tendency to renew and Prolong
the excitement.
!! Detachments from the military companies
were posted The night along Broad and Pur.
chase streets, TO preserve the peace of the ci-
.IV.
We Understand that thirty-six Of the riot
I'ers were arrested aud ore now confined in
Jail for examination.
i As far us we can learn, no blame can be
attached to the Fire Department us body,
beyond the excitement growing out Of the