The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-05-24
Riot, Biooslshed mud Murder.

On Monday and Tuesday evenings last,
Philadelphia was the scene Of more
bloody and murderous riot, than was ever
before witnessed in our country. We
gather the following particulars from the
Times:
A mass meeting of the Native Ameri-
can party took place on Monday after
noon, on the lot at the corner OF Second
and Master streets, kensington. This
meeting was held in consequence Of a
previous gathering of the American party,
in Kensington, being attacked and disper-
sed by mob of the Irish citizens of that
district on Friday night last. About four
o'clock, upwards of 500 persons assem-
bled on the lot and organized. The meet.
ing was addressed by Lewis G. Levin,
but was interrupted by the violence of the
gust which sprung up about this time.
The meeting then adjourned to Washing
ton street market, in the centre of which
the American flag was planted, and q
stand erected.
Previous to the meeting adjourning to
the market house, large number of the
citizens of the district, who were specta-
tors of the meeting, had taken shelter in
1t, and did moi seem disposed to give way
10 the Native American party. Upon
the planting of the flag, loud cheers were
given by the latter party, in the midst Of
which Mr.. Levin rose 10 continue his re-
marks. lie had hardly commenced speak
ing when scene of tUmult, riot, and
bloodshed followed, which exceeded any
thing of the sort that ever took place in
Philadelphia.
Two men, named Fields and McLaugh-
I'm, the former an Irish protestant and
unnaturalizcG citizen, and the latter a Ro-
man Catholic, had an exciting argument.
a young man from the city who was
standing by took part in the dispute. A
man named Babe, a resident Of Ken
slngton, put his hand on his shoulder to
pull him away. lie became very much
excited, and drew two pistols, swearing
he would shoot the first man who moIest-
ed HIM. Babe went out into the street
and dared him to fire.
The young man followed him up, when
there was a Simultaneous rush made to-
wards the two, Of persons in the market,
and OF group of men standing around
the house of the lllbernia Hose Company.
on the opposite side of the street In the
melee, the pistols were discharged, wound
ing in the mouth and face, Patrick Fisher,
a late constable Of the district, who was
one of the party that came from the Hose
House. In an instant. the meeting was
dissolved and furious battle ensued.
Report after repor, Of firearms was
heard, brickbats flew in every direction,
clubs and bIudgeons were used, and men
were knocked and shot down like dogs. |
After few minutes hard fighting the Ma
t'ves gave way, under heavy shower of
missiles and musketry from the Irish.
who rushed out of their houses in tie Vi |
entity of the market. They soon rallied
round their flag. which was erected at the |
end of the market, and renewed the fight |
by charge upon their antagonists, whom,
after a hard fought and desperate conles
of nearly an hours duration, they drove
from the street.
During the fight there were al least one
hundred discharges of firearms. Many
houses occupied by the IRISH we're attack
ed and partially demolished.-Sevcral
persons were shos-two Of whom, George
Shiiier, an apprentice, and J. w. Wright,
son of Achibald Wright, salt merchant,
corner of Vine and Water streets, were
killed.
During Tuesday forenoon, many of the
Native Americans assembled at the same
place, appearing very much excited
while the Irish in that vicinity were leav-
ing their homes, moving what they could
OF their property. A large body of Ma
tives joined in procession and marched
through the city, carrying a torn flag and
bearing this inscription
"1his is the Flag that has been
TRAMPLED UPON