Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-05-25
Riots at Phflnaeiphia.


We refer our readers to The FIRST page
Of this days paper for IN account Of the,
hate dreadful riot in Philadelphia. The'
particulars, as therein set forth, were pub
lished by us on Monday last in an EXTRA
Later intelligence states the account to have
been exaggerated, both as.regards the nura-
Der Of deaths and the amount of property
destroyed. The mob seems tohave ceased
on Wednesday night, though the military
were still out, and were hourly receiving
accessions from the country. The loss Of
property will fall upon the city and county.
We subjoin few particulars Of interest.
The St. Louis Republican Of the 10th says:
sWe have Philadelphia papers Of Fri
day morning, the 10th. We are happy to
find that the riots ceased on Wednesday
night, 9Th. The Inquirer says that four
teen persons were killed and thirty nine
wounded. The number Of buildings burned
and destroyed is thirty-eight, besides a
church, female seminary, and market house.
By law, the county must sustain the loss. "
There seems to be mistake as TO the
burning of but one churh. Two were de-
stroyed-St. Michael's and st. Augustine.
The Ledger Substituting the heat Of
the fight, well dressed young man, in a
white hat, Mr.. Saul Vickers, we believe,
armed witha musket, stood in the market
in front Of the houses, perfectly exposed to
1.-THE fire Of the inmates, and loaded and fired
ed in rapid succession for nearly an hour.
i Sometimes, like a regular tirailleur, he
i would lie on the ground and let the fire Of
his enemy pass over him---then rise TO hii
i knees, load, take aim, and fire; at other
times he would fire STOPPING or lying or
his face. Upwards of twenty shots were
fired at him, but moi one took effect. HI
escaped unhurt-without scratch
The Sentinel thus describes the burning
of St. Augustine church:
! BURNING OF ST.. AuGusTfNE's CHuRcH
The splendid Roman Catholic Church il
4th street below Vine, over which the Rev
DR.. Moliarty dictates as pastor, was Sc
fire to and destroyed by the mob last night
Throughout the day rumors were rife tina
: the building was to be fired, and at an ear
e ly hour in the evening hundreds Of per
a sons were seen vending their way towar
. the contemplated scene of destruction
During the evening compaliy of cavalr,
!, rived On the spot and posted themselve
no.. r the building. All the streets an
bo,,se. in, the neighborhood were crowde
r;th snoc. !, .,rs. About 10 o'clock tire
hoys loades y II. combustihles were intro
duced into the cn,l.'ah through one Of Il
) windows, and soon a,,.c.- the !, alarm sproa
THAT the edifce was on fire. The annourct
| ment was hailed with shouts .al''d huzza
some of thsslookers on seeming to we
. Ito who should be the londcst in the,~ =
ioicings. Tie alarm was given from II,
E state house and other bells, and the fir
E companies from every quarter hurried I
5 the spot. No effort as we learn was mad
to save the building, the fremen contentin
i themselves with attempting to protect d.
surrounding property. The flames bus
y tOut Oh Tic WliilOWS dHQA SUUit GTePt tEGl
way up TO the cupola, which was surmouni
ed with gilded cross. Then was pre-
scented one Of the most awftlly sublim
spectacles that we have ever Witnessed
The building and capola were one mass I
flames and smoke, which rose in tempt
beauty towards the heavens amidst tn
cheers Of the populace. Never shall W
It forget the sight; the immense mass Of di
ferent colored fires, the heavy and magni
icent volumes of curling smoke, the shout
II of the Natives and the Civilizations depicte
: on their countcnances, formed indeed pie
II ture calculated to make deep impressio
r upon the mind.
About half-past ten o'clock, the bell ar
, clock-works fell TO the ground, crushil
e their way through the burning timber
II and floor. Shortly afterward, the GRO
/. tcttered amid the cheers and shouts Of Il
Natives. But a few minutes after this Il
remaining timbcrs of the eupola sunk in
the mass OF flames. ~