Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-11-23


house of Messrs. Godfrey, Gilman s. CO.
There were no indications Of violence or re-
sisiance on the part of any one at that time.
The arrival of the Iaboilion press" las it was
called) was generally known IN the early part
Of that day, which served to re-kinde the ex.
citement. Representation was made To the
Common Council of the threatening reports
which were in circulation. The Common
Council did not, however, deem it necessary
to take any action on the subject Gentle
men directly Interested in protecting the
press from mob violence, deemed il expedi-
ent to guard the warehouse with men and
arms, in readiness to resist violence, should
any be offered. During the carly part of the
night OF Tucsday,t was reported through the
city that there were from 80 to 40 armed men
on guard within the warehouse.
About 10 o'clock at night 20 or 80 persons
appeared at the south end of the warehouse.
and gave some indications OF an attack. Mr..
w. ). Gilman, from the third story of the
warehouse, addressed those wilhout,nnd urg.
ed them TO desst, and at the same time in
formed them that the persons in the ware
house were prepared, and should endeavor,to to
protect their property, and that serions con-
sequences might ensue. Those without de-
manded the press, and said they would not
0e satisfied until it was destroyed; said they
did not wish to injnre any person, or other
property, but insisted on having the press
10 which Mr.. G. replied that the press could
not be given up. The persons outside then
repaird to the north end Of the building, and
attacked the bu lding by throwing stones, &c.
and continued their violence for Is or 20 min
utes, when gun was fired from one Of the
windows Of the warehouse, and a man named
Lyman Bishop was mortally wounded. He
was carried to n surgeons Office, and then
the mob withdrew and dispersed, with the
exception of a small number. Upon the first
indication of disturbance | called on The civil
authorities most convenient, aud repaired
with all despatch to the scehe Of action. BY
this time the firing from the warehouse and
the consequent death Of one Of their number
Bishop died soon after he received the shot,
had greatly increased the excitement, and
added 10 the numbers of the mob. Owing to
the late hour of the night, but few citizens
were present at the onset, except those en-
gagged IN the contest. Consequently the civ
II authorities could do but little toward dis
persing the mob, except by persuasion. A
large number of people soon collected around
me. ] was requested 10 60 to the warehouse,
and state to those within that those outside
had resolved to destroy the press, and that
they would not desist until they had accom-
plished their object that all would retire un-
I'll should return, which request was made
by ucclanIaton, und all soon retired to await
my return.
was replied to by those within the ware
house, that they had assembled there to pro-
tcct their property against lawess violence,
and that they were determined to do go. The
Ia,
numbers aud with guns and weapons of dif-
fere Mt kinds. ] addressed the multitude and
Commanded them TO desst and disperse, to
which they listened attentively and respect
fully, but 10 no pnrpose-a rush was now
made to the warehouse, with the cry Of" fire
the house, -" burn them out" &c. The fir.
ing soon became fearful and dangerous be-
tween the contcnding partes-so much so
that the farther lnterpositlon on the part Of
the civil authorities and citizens was altogcth-
er inadequate and hazardous in the extreme
no means were at my control, or that Of
any other officer present, by which the mob
could be dispersed and the loss of life and the
shedding of blood prevented. Scenes of the
most daring recklcssness and inturated mad.
ness followed in quick succession. The build
Ing was surrounded and the inmates were
threatened with determination and death in
the most frightfnl form imaginable. Every
means of escape by flight was cut of. The
scene now became one Of most appalling and
heart rendDg interest! Fifteen or twenty
citizens, among whom were some of our most
worthy and eDterp-ising, were apparently
doomed TO an unen,i bic and inevitable death
If the flames continued.
About the time the fire was communica n ted
to the building, Rev. f. P. Lovejoy Qatc edi-
tor of the ObsGrver,) received four balls in his
breast, near the door of the ware house, and
fell corpse in few seconds two others
from the warehouse were wounded. Seve-
raj persons engaged in the attack were Sc
verely wounded the wounds. however, arc
not considered dangerous. The contest had
been raging for an hour or more, when the
persons in the warehouse, by some means
the exact manner it was done have not been
able to ascertain, minated that they would
abandon the house and the press, provided
that they were permitted TO depart unmolest-
ed. The doors were then thrown open and
those within rctreated down Front st. Sc
veral guns were fred upon them while re.
treating, and one individual had narrow es-
cape-a ball passed through his coat near his
shoulder.
A large number Of persons now rushed in.
TO the warehouse, threw the press upon the
wharf, where it was broken in pieces and
thrown into the river. The fire in the ROOT
Of the warehouse was cxtinguishcd by spec
tator, who deserves great praise for his cour-
ageous interference, and but little damage
was done by 4, to The building. No dsposi.
tion seemed to be manifested to- destroy any
other property in the warehouse. Without
further attempts at violence the mob now DIS
persed,and no farther open indications of dis
order or violence have been manifested.