Washington telegraph., 1849-08-29
DISTURBANCES IN ILLINOIS.

There appears to have lately been some
very serious disturbances of the peace IN
the neighborhood of Metropolis city, lii
nois. One account says:
There is a band of men back OF Me-
tropolis, composed as we learn OF the
worst characters, who set at defiance law
and order, and are known by the name OF
Flatheads. A body of citizens, composed
of good men, but of course having IN their
midst evil characters, are called Regula-
tors, and have been formed to carry out
the law. Some of the Flatheads stole
horses, and one Of the Regulators who IN
formed on them, was caught, lynched' ana
tied naked to a tree during night, ex-
posed to the mosquitoes and weather.
He died several days thereafter, but be-
fore his death he gave the names OF sew
eral persons he had recognized. Ihe
Sheriff found them, but they refused to
deliver themselves up unless they couio
be tried by Magistrates of their own selec-
tions, who of course would screen them.
The Sheriff could not to do this, and they
mere not arrested at the time. The Fiat
heads gathered to the number OF about
two hundred. The Regulators assembled.
and there was pleasant prospect OF
battle last week. The FIatheads finally
secured and fortified themselves in large
log house, about twelve miles back OF
Metropolis, to the number of about one
hundred and sixty, with two cannons and
ammunition. The Regulators were raj
lying last Friday (27th ult.,) and had sent
to Paducah and Smithland for cannon,
with the determine ton to arrest the three
men. A grand fight was expected to
come off last Saturday (2Sth ult)
Another story given by DR.. Young to
the editor of the Cairo Delta, is as fol-
lows:
Two or three weeks ago.a barn belong
ing 10 Mr.. Tolson, was set on fire and
| burned down. MIR. Tolson and Mr.. Shell
bo, who are brothers -in-law, stand in the
position of leaders-the first of the Flat
heads, and the second Of the Regulators
and both are men of influence. The
incendiary was traced to the house OF
Regulator named Douglass, who, with
young man of bad character named Bruce,
confessed to setting fire TO the barn, but
turned States evidence, and said they
had been employed by certain Regulators
to murder prominent citizens OF Metropo.
lis. Things now began to grow exciting.
Backus was whipped by "the Lynns," a
family of very bad reputation belonging
to the Flathead side, who Were once
driven from Kentucky for misconduct,
and who were prominent in these diff
culties. Arrests were made on both sides
bv constables, and affairs were approach
ing a bloody crisis, when DR.. Young.
who says he had been occupying neu-
trail position, was chosen as peace-maker
bv the tlatheads, and in this capacity
went to the opposite party.
He made speech to the Regulators,
and gave them such assurance of peace
| from the other party, and of their limited
force and preparations, that the constable
dismissed the band, numbering about one
hundred and fifty. A guard of six Regula-
tors started out with DIR. Y. to escort him
back. This was on Saturday morning
last the 2Sth ult. When about seven
miles from Metropolis, they arrived in
| sight of the Elatheads, who numbered
sixty Here doctor took our informant
aside, and urged him to fly. as there were
hundred Regulators in ambush close by.
While they were talking, the Regulators
rushed out and attacked the other party.
DR.. Y. ran up 10 make peace, but fell
stunned by ball, which passed through
his hat and grazed his head. The Flat
heads fed, the Lynn family having been
the first to set the example. Two of the
Flatkead band. Samuel Taylor and Robt.
Canada were killed, and another wound
ed, Daniel Enlow, son of Col. Enlow,
formerly Representative from Massac
county. On the side of the Regulators,
man named Clinton King. who had
been the cause of much Of the strife, was
killed, and two others wounded, one
dangerously The sheriff, Read, had
gone home when he thought peace for
the time was established. Both parties
were all armed.
DR.. Young went to Metropolis, but
was warned to fly as the Regulators
wished to take his life, and was provided
with means. He was here on Tuesday,
and says he is going to see the Governor,
and lay the state of things before him.
He describes affairs III Massic county as
ruinous and growing worse daily. He
says there are good men in both parties,
but the mass are ruffians and loafers.
OCEAN NAVIGATION THROUGH THE ST..
| LAWRENCE RIVER STILL INTER DICTED.-
| Several annunciatiops have been made