The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-05-16

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! CATHOLIC CLERGYl ETC. ETC.
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A tremendous riot lasting three days, has occurred
since our as in the District of Kensngton county OF
Philadelphia The city Of course partakes Of the ex-
citement and while the earlier portions of this article
were in preparation, the sound of military manGuvres
filed the street. and rumor with her thousand tongues
was bruiting every description OF exciting intelligence
from the scene Of the afray. The difficulty commenced
on Friday evening flast week, when Native Ameri-
can Meeting held on the open lot Of Master and
Second Streets was broken up by mob Of the Irish
sidens OF that district Another meeting was called for
Monday last at the same place, and riot most fearful
in its consequences and extent followed.
FIRST DAY.
According to adjournment from Friday, a large NEE
ling of Native Americans assembled at the corner OF
Master and Second street. Kensington and organized
The meeting was addressed by s. R. Kramer and Gen
Smith, and L. c. Lerta, Esq, editor of the Sun had
just commenced speech, whena storm of wind and
rain came mp, and the meeting adjourned to the shelter
OF the Market corner of Master and Cadwaader streets
Previous to this is stated that large number of per-
sons residents of the District had taken sheler in the
Market and that they showed an unwilngness to give
way to the way to the Native Americans. The flag,
however, was planted, and Mr.. Levin RECOMMENDED
his speech.
Hardly had he begun when the riot commenced.-
Precisely and certainly how it originated will never be
known Some of the reporters state that il began in an
alteration between two men named Fields and Nc
Laughn, the former Protestant the latter Catholic,
and both Irishmen. third person inerferred, dhen
another named Babe, a resident Of Kensington. The
third man. whose name is not given drew two pistols,
threatening to shoot any than who moested him. Babe
went into the street, and challenged him TO FIRE. The
young man followed him up, there was rush Of hun
dreds to the spot from the Market and from the Hiber
MIA Hose House the pistols were discharged in the scut
e and in an istant the riot general discharges Of
fire arms became frequent bludgecns bricks aud stones
flew in all directions and the contest became one OF the
most terrific that it is possible 10 conceive. Mr. Pat
rick Fisher late constable in the District was wound
ed in the face but tdangerotsy by the discharge Of
the pistols, as mentioned above.
After furious struggle, the Iishnnen gave way, the
Native Americans pursued them and several of the fu
gives, finding themselves hoy pressed darted into hou
ses and up alleys in order TO escape. Several OF the
houses into whichthey 10 enter attacked
and the doors and windows of two frame houses in Ca
dawalader street. below Master street. and one in the
street, above Master street. were battered in with
stones On Germantown road the dwelling house of !
widow, named Mrs. Brady, vas torcibly broken into,
the windows and shutters shattered and the furniture
broken up The attack upon her house was made be- |
cause one of the tgves had been seen 10 run up The
alley adjoining. The windows in the upper story of
the Hibernia Hose House were also shattered, and
Master street, between Germantown road and Cadwa-
ader street. literally sewed with broken bricks and
stones.
rally was at length made, and the Irishmen return
ed to the charge The Natives gave way after strug
gle and left the other party in possession of the ground
at about six o'clock.
In the evening the attack was resumed, the Natives
demclishing the windows Of the houses from which |
guns had been fred during the afternoon. The crowd
then proceeded up Second street to Master he corner
Of which is Roman Catholic School House. A bon |
fire was nded at the corner Of the street and the fence
ofhe School House set on fire. about this time when the
crowd had faered in front OF the School House. vol
ley of muskery fred from the houses opposite and
when the crowd had parted was discovered that seve
raj were wounded; one young man named W. Wright
was taken up dead bullet having pierced hise breas
just above his heart. Another young man named RAM
sey living on Third street above Brown was mortaly
wounded in the upper part OF the left lung with bull
let
No further violence occurred during the night,
SECOND DAY.
The excitement famed by reports, and strengthened
BY the carefully dgested accounts Of the morning papers
was immense throughout the day. band Of men were
promenadng the streets, bearing tattered American
ensign and placard over it "Ths isthe flag that has
been trampled on by Irish Papis;s"
Preceded by the flag which had been displayed during
the day the crowd marched for Kensngton, gathering
strength at every STEP until their numbers increased to
three or four thousand--perhaps more Many of them
were armed with pistols, but no guns were seen On
arriving at the Market the flag was nailed up again and
the meeting had hardly organized, when shot came
from the Hibernia Hose House. or the house adjoining,
and young man named Charles Rhiendollar was shot
dead, and another named Charles Young, morallv
| wounded.
And now again commenced the fight more deadly
than on the previous day. Instances of daring and eck
less courage were shown on both Sides amounting in
some cases to phrenzy A rush was first made at the
Hibernia Hose House by the Native Americans and
the apparatus and also an old one of the Washington
Hose Company, which the Hibemia Company had
borrowed were dragged out taken 10 Spring Garden St
below Broad, and there burnt 10 ashes The immense