Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-03-01
Riot and MOI in st. Louis.

Of the steamer Gen. Brooke, fer Daily Mis-
souri, Republican. Of Monday morning last
giving an account Of mob and riot which
took place in that city on the day before, (Sun-
day.) We submit brief statemen. OF 1t. to-
perher with The cause which produced II.
The persons having charge Of the dissect-
Ing room Of the Medical Department Of the
ST. Louis University had been exceedingly re-
miss in their duty. 1t arpears bodies for dis
section are slowed away in small vault once
enclosed the board fence around which had
been broken down, and the boards which
covered the vault were, by some means, mis-
placed. Persons passing by observed part OF
human body. laying upon an open lot adjoin-
ing, which led to an examination Of the vault,
which presen,ed-one Of the most revolving asd
disgusting sights ever beheid. Limbs, such
as arms aud legs, bearing tho appearance Of
recent death, were there exposed to view. In
short time considerable crowd gathered
around it. The police were early upon the
ground, and tiled by every means to suppress
the excitement, but with liule effect. Com
plants having previously been made by those
living in the vicinity. Of the exposure Of parts
Of bodies, the excitement spread with great
rapidly. The vault was closed up by the po-
lice, and again opened by the crowd. About
one o'clock, an attack was made upon the
house, with stones aud other missiles. The
Mayor was present, and caused one person 10
be arrested. An unsuccessful attempt was
made to rescue the prisoner. and four or five OF
those attempting it. were arrested and sen! TO
the calaboose. The Mayor then called three
companies of volunteers. This for time, ST.
fenced action, but upon The appearance Of two
companies, armed with muskcts loaded with
ed. A Mr.. M'Kown addressed the assembly,
processing grea, regard for the law, but calcu-
lated 10 increase the excitement. The Mayor
epdeayored 10 be heard, bu, was compelled to
desis.. Judge Mullanphy and Mr.. Kayser
then addressed the crowd, producing calm.
when it was proposed to adjourn 10 the court
house, which was agreed to. Thi.her most Of
the crowd repaired, and organized, by appoint
ing r. S. Blenerhasset, Chairman, who urged
the meeting to strict obedience to the law,
coupled with rigid investigation into the al.
legged nuisa Committees were appointed
10 attend 10 that matter, ard TO request Of tie
Mayor the re;ease Of the persons confined in
the callaboose, and the Withdrawal Of the mi-
litia, upon promise that nc further violence
should be used, to which the Mayor consent
ed, and acted accordingly. After the crowd
had dispersed, the editor Of the Republican,
together with few others, penetrated the
house, and took survey Of The premises, and
"such survey" says he, as the sickening ef-
fnvia permitted. We found inside, two bar.
rels, in which were The purid remains Of sub
jccts, and several chests in state Of prepare.
ton for anatomical illustration. The whole
interior was the mos. disagreeable place we
ever entered. and beggars all description"
After the adjournment Of the meeting, the
crowd again assembled on the square around
The building. and the cry Of "down with it,"
sire it," ''sack it," sounded from an hundred
voices. The Mayor and Sheriff. stood their
ground and kept the mass a, bay. Ever aud
auon, stone was hurled into window and
finally, about 10 o'clock at night, the whole
was abandoned, and the crowd vented their
feelings by demolishing the sky.!igh,s, win
dows, and whatever else could he DESTROYED.
meeting was to be held at the State To-
bacco Warehouse, on Monday evening, when
committee appointed to investigate the allie.
ged nuisances were to report, with view of
insli!u,ing legal proceedings against The ins,i.
tuition.
While We cannot justify the unlawful pro-.
ceedings Of the crowd, we cannot find it in
our heart to heap odium upon the paylcipaiors
In the riot. Who that has lost bosom com.
panion, a relative, or friend, would not feel
justly indignant at the shameful exposure of
limbs, as stated above. which might be those
Of their deceased friend! 1t is full time. in
our opinion, that if the laws are no. admins.
tered with a wa,chfulness Sufficient 10 prevent
the robbery of g.ave-yards, ,ha. the people
should show the thieves that it cannot be lon.
ger prac'iced with impun,y.
We shall give the further particulars as soon
as received, and hope that those there impli.
Gated will reap reward, in infamy, ii not in
penal suffering. sufficient, to teach students.
tho se'"nce Of robbing. that ge,ritu,iou NAV
sometimes cver,aks them,
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