Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-06-28
nr,Yn rYurr rosTuN.

Alarming Riot-Collision ofdle Firemen
10Th the Irish.-Our city yesterday after.
noon presented scene of extraordinary
confusion and excitemen,--growing out of
riot of the most serious character, that
has resulted in lamentabe destruction of
property-much personal injury--though
we have reason to believe without loss of
life.
1t commenced during the progress Of
the religious services Of the afternoon, and
as we learn in the following manner The
members of Engine No. 30 were returning
from the fire in Roxbury-worn out with
the fatigues to which they have been for
the last fortnight nightly exposed, to an ex-
tent hitherto without parallel. The en-
CINE house is situated in East street. The
company had just reached it, and were a.
bout turning in the engine, when they came
in collision with an Irish funeral. Several
statements have come to US touching the
first provocatlon but as nearly as we can
learn the particulars we give them below
The engine and enginemcn were on the
sidewalk. The procession also occupied
the sidewalk, and some of them ordered
oftho enginemen. Some of the company
suggested that the procession could con-
viently move in the street, without disturbing
the cDgnemen. The Irishmcn would moi
give way, but persevered in their determin-
a.ion to pass-knocking down two of the
members Of No. 20. This we understand
to have been tho first demonstration Of vio-
lence. The melee soon became general.
The enginemen were driven back the
lrishmen took possession ofthe House and
upset the engine.
The members Of the company then re.
paired to the churches and rung The bells !;
whereupon the different engines collected
on the spot, and both parties soon received
large accessions of numbers. The Irish
men collected to the number of more than
three hundred, armed with stones, brickbats
and clubs. The lircmen, with the citizens
drove them back through Purchase street
TO Broad street. Meanwhile many thous-
ands had assembled. Missiles of every de-
scripon were flying in all directions, and
many individuals on both sides were very
severely Injured.
Mr.. Charles Sears--recen!ly foreman of
Hook and Ladder Company--and the man
who distinguished himself by his boldness
in ascending the steeple of the Hollis street
church the other day-was badly wounded
and thrown into the dock, at some point
between Tilston and Liverpool wharves.
He was rescued, and borne off on a litter.
Reports ofh:s death were current through
out The afternoon. There is no doubt that
his wounds are snch as to endanger his
life--though we have no certain informa-
ton Of his dcceasc. His wounds were
in the head, and inflicted with an axe.
Mr.. Barnes Of engine No l,was carried
oirin chaise severely wounded. We I'M
derstand that he is out of danger. Many
other members of different companies were
more or less injured.
The Irish maintained their ground, re-
treating inch by inch through Purchace
street. fiercely pursued by the multitude.
Meanwhile several of the companies re-
turned to their respective engine houses
and different class of combatants mingled
in the afray.
An intense excitement prevailed. The
usual rccklessness and disregard of life ex-
hibited in all such scenes, were displayed in
every direction. When the multitude
reached the corner of Broad and Purchase
streets, they broke the windows of several
houses inhabited by Irish residents, entered
the houses, brobe up the furniture, and emp
tied the contents Of the fethcr beds. The
air for some distance about the spot, was
filed with feathers. Meanwhile the fight
continued-three or four hundred men
and boys being ACTIVITY engaged on both
sides.
The Mayor was seasonably on the spot.
Seeing the cou.sc things were taking he
promptly adopted measures 10 call out the
military; and portions of several regular
companies soon collected at Faneuil Hall,
and were marched to the scene of the riot.
BY this time the force of the riot was spent:
and comparative order was restored. Still
many thousands were collected in the vi.
cinity, who were called upon TO dispense,
and immediately retired.
The number Of individuals on both sides
at any time engaged in the ARRAY, did not
exceed six or seven hundred persons. OF
the persons injured, many were mere spec
taiors collected from curiosity. The re-
suits of the riot have been less serious than
might'have been expected from its duration
its cxciicmen,s, and the numbers col ected.
There have been many battered and broken
heads, no doubt, and many bodily br,s" !;
but we are inclined to believe that thcre has
been no actual loss of life.
AS far as we can learn, no blame can
be attached to the fire department as body,
beyond excitement growing out Of The i'm.
preston that one of their companies had
been unjusty assaied, and the common
error Of the times, disposition to take the