The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-05-10
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

| ION IN the afternoon.
| ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
From the United States Gazette, May 81
Tx RIoTs IN KENsINGToN. riots in Ken
sngton yesterday, although not slgnallzed with the
loss OF life, up 10 seven o'clock in the evening, was
neverhe less marked with violence OF the most out
rageous character. During the night large numbers
| of people remained about the scenes OF violence,
| and the military kept vigant guard until daylight.
a portion of them were relieved by reinfOrcepents
| from the second and third Brigades, and shortly
after, the district appearing 10 be quiet, the rest Of
| the military were drawn of, with the exception of
n detachment of twenty-four men, under the COM
mand of Captain Falrlamb, who was LETT 10 guard
| st. Michael's Church.
| Soon after this three young men walked through
| the detachment of military into the church, the
| front door OF which had been left unlocked. One
| OF them in few minutes afterwards threw out OF
| a window portion OF the drapery OF the altar
They soon came out into the street and walked of
without obstruction. The flames soon burst out
| and spread unchecked until OF the noble edifice no.
| thing renamed but the bare walls During the
conhagration, three distinct explosions heard,
and thus served greatly to exasPeTate the crowd.
| The dwelling house of the Pastor adjoining, was
broken into by the mob, the furniture thrown into
the street. and the building itself fred. In short
| time 1t was reduced to ruins.
| About two o'clock crowd went to Ninth und
| Poplar street, where number Of Irish families h.
| taken refuge in number OF dwellings,. These
were fired and burned TO the ground, the inmates
scattered, and the contents destroyed. Meantime,
an immense crowd had gathered in the vicinity of
ST. Michae's Church, and about two O'Clock, Capt.
Fairlamb demanded the keys of the edIfcc from
gave them up, and with them, the keys OF his own
residence, adjoining the church. Captain Fair
lamb Instituted rigid search through The premises,
and found neither arms nor men concealed, either
| IN the church or IN the house.
DESTRUCTION OF SAINT AUGUsTlNEs CHURCH
During the latter part OF yesterday afternoon,
crowds began TO assemble In the vicinity OF the
Catholic Church of Saint Augustine, on Fourth
between
Scott took early precautionary measures, and long
before dark had large posse ct cltizens daught-
ed, with which he took position al the rear OF The
church, while the City Watch, having their badges
on, formed IN line upon the cuibs'Un~ before the
front on Fourth street Matters r',naiu.d quiet
until abont half past nine o'clock, when every ave-
nue. Whereabouts was filled by dense masses OF pro-
pie. About that time, solitary bnck WIS flung
in the direction Of the City Watchmen, and struck
WITH loud and distinct noise Uor all then was
qnle) against ,he iron railing at their rear. This
was followed by loud cheer from The crowd OPP
posire the church in New street; ana in an in
slant after, tremendous shower Of bricks, stones
and missiles, Of every available description, was
directed against the church, scattering The
watch and other bystandeIs IN every direction
| About The same time, similar attack was made
upon the One OF the stones in the fret voIley
struck and stunned Mayor Scott, and this spread
CONSERVATION among those having protection OF the
rear. Besides, the missiles appeared to.be thrown
not only from every conceivable but from incon-
ceivable quarters. Though no persons were 10 lie
seen upon the adjacent roots, the missiles evidently
0cscended upon the Mayors forces. As Boon as the
watch Ia front had been driven of, the mob went
10 work quite cooy and systematically. One Of
the iron gates was first broken down. and thus the
platform (about five feet high upon which the
building stands having been reached, sort OF bat:
tering-ram was procured, with which steady and
determined blows were inflicted upon the northern
most door, but it resisting all efforts, (Which II did
| to the last with clubs the assaanis begun to de-
mollsh the sashes OF the front windows, which
are low, and in which, by this time, there Was
/ nj ken Of
While the mob were thus engaged, there was an
alarm OF |" the Troop" the Troop'-and above
all the clamor was presently heard the notes OF a
shrlll trumpet, sounding The charge The FirstCny
Troop rode by almost at galop, causing the crowds
, TO fy towards Race street, where the company
wheeled and returned at a similar gait and sever
feet, for the mob followed the horsemen WHITTIER
soever they went, uitrring long and loud derisive
cries while the party Immediately engaged in
breaking into the Church did not tor a momen de-
sst, but seemed 10 redouble their efforts in antici
patton of the arrival OF more Of the military.
In an incredibly briet period, the obstruction Of
fered by the sash was removed-the gas light near
by eytlngulshed-and fire conveyed into the lower
| centre window. The fire was undoubtedly klnded
by lucifer Matches were close spe tators, and
certainly no fire was carried openly within
| AZ soon as the light was seen, Numerous persons
employed themselves in bringing small pieces OF
boards and other light stuff, which were either
thrown upon the fire, or handed to those inside.
the flames appeared to make slow progrrrs, ior tte
Il
| WINS owing, we believe, 10 the windows having
shutters inside } but a sudden they bnrst form
from the roof and almost Immediately enveloped
the base OF The cupola; and was hailed by cheer
The beautiful cupola OF the Church did not burn
with the rapidly which might have been supposed.
This was owing to the cernlce OF the base PROJECT
ing SO far as for time 10 shield the columns which
supported the dome and cross. The flames proba-
Div reached the root az soon NJ they did, by means
of the organ, which stood Immediately over the
| burning materials below. The cupoa burnt for Il
long time before any portion OF II fell. Pillar after
nillsr Sanction after stanchion fell, and still the
structure stood erect mass of flame. Al length
the cross fell into the street. This elected
another cheer "A few moments after, the
falling in OF the root carried with il the
burning but still erect remains Of the cupola.
The heat intense, and this roof doors and window
frames and other woodwork Of every buildng near
either burning, blistcring, sending up wrca,hs OF
stesmy moisture. Many OF the adjscent houses
were early the ground, happy In stating that
none has suffered materially either from fire water
Not so, however, with the houses tho east vide OF
Crown street north Of the church These suffered
TO catch FIRE from the church. and of the engines
threw water upon them, because they were the properly
Of tho church One occupied by the NeV.rsnn
Doctor Morisrty the other was used as semi
nary and as the library Of the cathohd ohu'on.
As II the fire which had devastated. Tue uPPs'
stories of these houses did not descend fas enough
fires we're knded IN the lower stories ny means ot
| the books (some of which were exceedingly valua-
bic \ found in the library. fire was also built on
the pavement in front, which was likewise ted by