The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-05-16

THE INQUEST OF THE nr.n


I THE INQUEST OF THE DEAD
Inc Coroner 1 early on Saturday morning summoned
the OF death occasoned in the dsturbances al
Thursday night The jury proceeded the several places
the court of sessions for the purpose of examining
witnesses in the matter The names of the dead. and
oha George
sosss Brown 20; William Butler. ~ Sso1s. "
Grey Mel!is. 81; Asa F: Collins. As; VIM. Homan. IS
Thomas Keomn, 81; Matthew Cohill, 20 Timothy
McGun, -; George W. Gsdney, 81 Besides these;
dead, but were found still living. though with proba
blty OF their long surviving; The examination OF the
witnesses was conducted IN the Of Mr. Recorder
densely thronged by an anxious multitude
THE EVIDENCE BEFORE CORONER
The first witness examined was Caleb S. Woodruff.
mayor of the city, who, being sworn. testified follows
was informed on Thursday last there was likely to be
disturbance al the theatre in As0r Place and, in
quence of which, for the Recorder como to my
Office at o'clock. sent for several gentlemen to be
my Office al II oclockhe Recorder, Sheriff, Chief of
Police, General Sanford, the Police Justices and Mr.
came with Mr. Niblo. inquired Of Mr. Nblo, the pro-
reor OF the theatre whether they intended to play at
the theatre on Thursday night He stated to me they
had put out their bills, and proposed to do then in
qured of the gentlemen present what probability there
OF disturbance that evening. Some of them thought
there would be disturbance The Chief Of Police. in
conversation then passed between those present to the
best method OF suPPressing it inquired Of the Chief i
would not then asked him if the aid of the military
would be required. He said he thought twould. then
put the quesono the gentlemen present, whether under
the circumstances, order should be issued They all
answered in the affirmative, except General Sanford.
General Sanford remarked that il not for him TO
say whether they should be ordered out not; il was
his business to obey the orders The order was then a
forwards given, and handed to General Sandford's
The order general order as to the number to be
conversation respecting the closing the theatre
stated to Mr.. Nlbo, as magistrate, that | thought
had no right to interfere with his establishment but my
that night They seemed TO think they ought not to
close, and that the magsracy ought to protect them;
and to the conclusion, alternative, to do
Instructions were given TO the Chief of Police and
occasion required went to the Opera House about
for the Recorder and Chief of Police. outside
immense multitudes of people made myself known
as hs S OF Police and Sheriff what they
doing; the general was, there large force
outsde they stated that the windows and panels Of the
stated by the Chief Of Police that great difficulty was to
be entertained TO keeping them from breaking into the
house, with the force he had and he was fearful they
would succeed, his doing all they could dos
after had been there about fifteen minutes General Hall
stated to me that unless gave orders for his to
not vet general let us see he said he had been struck
with stones his head and body and the blood at this
time running down the left side Of his face; he
repeated twice three times that his men would not
stand to be stoned to death with arms in their hands;
finally he stated to me, Mayor must give the order
TO fire, or my men will all be killed my answer was
general and myself; he left without the orders did
not give the order to fire there proclamation
proclamation issued BY that day; issued none: be-
not sufficiently informed OF the state OF facts
to deem necessary the means taken through the day
precautionary; about twenty minutes after General
Hall left me, notified Justice Mounfort that going
to the New York Hotel. and should remain there to
ceve any communication they had to make then left,
in company with my brother, and went to the New York
HOTEL this previous to the firing Of the military;
remained at the hotel with Governor Fish until after IL
o'clock and then went to my house, the disturbance then
appeared TO be over.
The next witness was General Sanford, who, being
sworn, testified follows: Between eleven and twelve
O'Clock, on Thursday last ! received a message from
the Mayor, requesting me to attend him in his Of
fce | proceeded there, and found all the magistrates
mentioned BY the Mayor assembled The ne Mayo. IN
After was decided to issue the order for the military to
that the effort should be made by the civil authority to
preserve the and that the military should not be
called out until that effort failed received. in conse
quence the following ORDER after left the Mayors Of
flee:
Mayors OFFICE, City Hall, May 10, ls4e
Having reason to apprehend serious riot this evening,
possessed by the police Major General Sanford request
ed hold sufficient military force in readiness to meet
C. s Woodruff, Mayor
After receiving the above order. ordered one regiment
to assemble at their drill rooms and one troop OF light
artillery with 6pounders to assemble at the arsenal
with small detachment of infantry to protect the pieces
Coroner-What were the names of the companies or
dered
ordered one regiment consisting of eight companies,
numbering three four hundred men, on parade but as
the notice short and late in the day. they numbered
little over two hundred mastering. ordered out also
the seventh regiment, or National Guards, as they are
known to the public | went myself in the evening to
the artillery drill rooms and informed the magistrates
that would be there await their orders understood
there was to be large police force at the theatre, which
many of the magistrates thought would be snfhclent to
preserve order without the military The infantry was
commanded by Col Duryea who was present when EN-
tered the drill rooms. . -,
In answer to the Coroner, he said: There are eight
captains to that regiments but whether they were al
present or not he could not tell. Capt Shumway Capt
ndehill, Capt Pond Capt Price, and do not at pres
emit recollect what others, were there We remained
there until received verbal message from the Sheriff,
who was at the THEATRE the pupoIt Of which was that
the mob had attacked the theatre had driven in the po-
lice force and were assaling the building. He request
ed me up soon possible. This was, as well
as can recoliect, between eight and nine o'clock in
the evening After receiving the message, | immedi