The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-08
MOST DREADFUL RIOT-LIVES LOST
AND TREMENDOUS EXCITEMENT.

MID DREADFUL RlOI--l4lVE S LIJS
AND TREMENDOUS EXCITEMENT.
meeting of the Native American Party was
held yesterday afternoon at the corner Of Master
and Second streets. The meeting was organized,
and addressed by S. r. Kramer, who concluded
his speech, having commenced it on Friday after
noon at the same place. He was followed by
Gen. Smith and Lewis C. Levin. While the
latter was speaking the storm came on and the
meeting adjourned to the market house in the
immediate vicinity. The American flag was
unfurled, which gave rise to cheering. Mr. L.
again took the stand and while going on with
his discourse, young man who stood outside of
the market house, became excited and pulled out
a pair of pistols.
friend advised him angrly to put them up
but this incensed him still more, and he cried
out that if any one nterfered with him he
would shoot him down. A rush was then made
from the western side of the market, and the
next moment gun was fred. 1t was now that
the riot commenced in earnest
Volley after volley was fired, and rush was
made over lot in the direction of the Hibernia
rushing to the scene of action, armed men, some
with muskets, others wirh bludgeons and sticks,
many OF these were accompanied by women,
who urged them on and directed them where to
fire. Those in possession of the market house
maintained their ground and held aloft the flag
while the square between Cadwalader street
and the Germantown road, in Master street, was
filled with the combatants. Some Of them here
ran into houses, but they were watched, and the
infuriated mass fell to work and partially de-
stroyed the houses in which they had taken
refuge
In CadWalader street similar frightful scene
was presented The house OF widow woman,
into which man ran, was attacked its doors
were broken open and the rioters rushed in and
broke the furniture into fragments.
The scene was one Of SO dreadful descrp-
ton that it would be difficult to convey any cor
rect idea of it. In fact its like was never before
witnessed in this country. The riot lasted about
an hour, during which time the report Of fire
arms numbered hundreds, and at least SO persons
fell, from being wounded. Several persons were
reported to have been killed A young man re-
siding in ST. John street near Beaver named
George Shirley was killed on the spot, certainly.
A young man named Temper was shot in the hip,
and was wounded in so shocking manner that
he cannot possibly survive.
Among the buildings attacked was the Hiber-
mia Hose House; the lights of this were all
knocked out, and the premises otherwise damag-
ed. We believe that the flag was protected by
those who had undertaken the venturesome task
of protecting it, but what became of it we know
not. The Native American party gradually dis
| persed, and up TO late hour in the evening COM
parative order prevailed.
| In reference to the manner in which the above
affair commenced, there are many contradictory
| statements among those who were on the ground !;
many assert that the first shot was fired
from the Hibernia Hose House, but be that as it
may, the rush was first made from the west side
of the Market.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
After dark, last evening, large body of Ma
tive Americans collected in ID street, above
| Franklin they numbered several thousands. On
the west side of ID street considerable nu mber
of the Irish had taken possession of several
houses and other places where they could operate
with advantage upon their antagonists. Attempts
| were repeatedly made to drive them from their
strong holds, but without success-each time
| they received sharp fire. Efforts were also
| made to set lire to the Catholic School House
which stands on lot on the opposite side of the
way but were prevented by the firing from the
houses A large bon fire had been made in order
to enable the belgerents to know each OF her, and
for time the most frightful state of things pre-.
vailed !; but finally the crowd partially dispersed
in consequence, as we believe, of those in the
street not beng able to contend, the most of them
having no arms, with those belonging to the party
within doors.
The Sheriff. with considerable force, was on
the ground, and did all that he could to quell the
riot. He displayed much bravery and determine
- Tbor k,,,, L.
sons seriously wounded. We learn that three of
them have died from their injuries We have OBJ
| tanned only the names of two of them. w.
Wright, and - Ramsey A man named Pat