The New York herald., 1849-05-14
THE ASTOR PLACE TRAGEDY.
THE CoRoNERs INQUEST.
The Testimony of the Chief of Police, Recorder
Tallmadge, General Hall, &c., &f.
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF RIOT.
State of Affairs Yesterday,
&c. &c. SC.
AsroR PLACE DURING THE DAY.

SCaJe OF kAud1rS x eSLecu0y,
&c. &c. &c.
AsroR PLACE DURING THE DAY.
There large body of police In attendance yes
terday in Astor place, lafayette place and Eighth
street The rain, which down in hard showers
at short intervals did not prevent the from VI
sitting the of the late disturbances, and
menting freely upon the transac lions of Thursday
night. Ne one, however, except the policemen,
allowed to larry long in one spot IT, perchanoe,
couple of friends did stop to remark upon the appear
ance of the theatre, upon the small shanty where
the negro woman wounded to point out to each
other the impression of the bullets the oppo-
site to the main entrance in short if they fingered
for any purpose they were immediately addressed by
policemen who insisted upon their moving on. The off
| Gers, with brass stars their breasts very
polite but at the same time, imperative aud vigant
in the performance Of their duty They wanted pre-
crowd from tsembling and said they to persons
wh' they addressed IF two stop to talk two
or three more will join them and then several more will
presently up. and shall have crowd arou nd
the place and this ordered to PREVENT No one
could object to the argument thus addressed and
stopped though it curious to observe the various
manner in which different persons received this request
| or order and the accompanying explanation Some
bowed with reverential awe, and set forward with
left others looked quizzically into the very
eyes of the polite guardian of the and after ask
still thrust both hands down deep into their panta-
looms pockets and passed over the ground slowly
| possible softly whlstlng Hail Columbia" dead
march; others, when requested to move on, looked
daggers at the police the theatre the street. the houses
and whatever else they could manage to get eyes on
While things were progressing in this at the
Olsa House, the by-streets presented quite mill
tary appearance Men in uniform were marching
in all directions to their different places of
in blue clothes in r~ clothes, some in grey
aud others in all the colors went to make up
military uniforms The militia did not seem to like the
idea of turning out in the rain but the order had been
| promulgated, and turn out they must There
back out and they marched like boud soldier boys'
| pnV VAIr In fba
| old Arsenal, in Centre street, near the Tombs.
CHURCHES.
1t was supposed that the ccrgymen of the city would
refer to the affair in their sermons and reporters
therefore, visited several churches to report them 1t
thought that DR. Spring would have made the pro-
minent events Of the past week the topic of his prnci
pal sermon for the day but the Rev. Doctor did
He delivered two able addresses from the pull
pit but in neither OF them did he aiuls to the occur
which have agitated all minds hcreabouts since
Thursday night last Ho did make mention Of the sub
iect in his prayers but only in general terms
rcgetng the prevalence of disorder and praynv for
speedy restoration to. and continuance Of quiet
throughout IT, the city , There S was not large attsn
many stay away who would have been present if the
weather had been more proptious. Tho riot not
referred to In Of the churches visited by
porttrs t2. ka
ASPECT IN THE AFTERNooNssf4a
part of the city and move towards the Arsenal and
continued until the evening The whole police
about ten O'Clock, the crowd having again gathered
until ii numbered probably two hundred They were
men oil respectable nppt arance, and the
neral impression that there would be no further
demonstration by the riotously disposed
THE EXPECTED FUNERALS - t--
During the afternoon several funeral professions
caused considerable excitement, many supposng that
they the Funerals Of those who fell in the conflict
would be the topic Of the pulpit yesterday we sent
corps of reporters especially to those churches in the
however was not touched though in Of the more
remote request was made that prayer be offered up
for the restoration Of the and tranquility Of the
city.
CONTINUATION OF THE CoRoNER's INQUEST ON THE
DEAD BODIES.
Yesterday, at 10 o'clock, the Coroners jury met
cordng to appointment at the Court of Sessions, for
the purpose Of continuing the investigation respecting
the cause Of death occasioned at the disturbance on
Thursday evening last, at the Astor Place Opera
Theatre Some time before the opening of the Court,
large number Of persons had collected at the DOORS
eager to obtain admittance in order to procure
able seat to hear the testimony. As the doors
were opened, rush made by the people outside for
soon as order restored in Court the Coroner pro-
ceeded with the testimony An officer was then des-
patched for the Chief of Police. The Sheriff. John j.
v. Westervelt, was the first witness
TESTIMONY.
JOHN J. v WEsrERvELr, Sheriff of the city and
county Of New York. being sworn, says IL was sent
for by the Mayor Thursday last the Mayor inform
ed me that he apprchended disturbance at the Astor
Place Theatres VIC consulted together and concluded
to call upon the police and swear in special de-
puties; cannot say how many special deputies
made as ordered the under Sheriff to fill up the pa
7,
day evening went to the Opera House, the purpose
of operating nkeeping the peace arriving there
large number of people were congregated they
not using any violence at that time; went into the
house SO that could what going on outside;
raipg and making disturbance in the par6uette the
disturbance outside took place, think, about two
hours after they were pelting stones at the windows
and doors! 1t accrtaned that the civil force
not strong enough to quell them; the military were
called on my order; on the military arriving had an
interview with Generals SANFORD Hall before we
started on the Eighth side General Hall inform.
ed me it would be impossible to keep the military
allowed to fire to protect themseyea he informed ms
that several had been badly wounded and requested
me to visit them doing so, found lying the
sofa wounded the head and several others in the
house; after this the company ordered to march
around into Astor Place; was with them until the
stones were thrown at the military and at tho Opera
House; was informed by General Sandford that un.
be taken from them; notice was then given to the
crowd that If they did not fall back the military would
fire. they did not fall back; gave the order to fire
their heads; ! did not suppose in much confusion
that the people could hear, ordered them to fire
their heads General Hall gave the order after the
first fire. they fell back littc and Immediately rushed
on again, and exclaimed it was all blank cartridges;
but previous to the second fire. the Recorder and Gene
raj Sanford again informed the mob, distinctly, that
unless they dispersed they would again be fred upon
they were answered by shower Of paving stones aud
all sorts of bad language when the order was given for
the second fire, the military directed Are low;
after this firing they fell little back they continued
to throw stones; another fire was made and then the
mob dispersed considerably and the military continued
on the ground.
JuRoR-Was there sufficient time for those disposed
to get out OF the way between the first and second
frings?
ANswrR-lt was impossible to give much time; did
not think IL prudent to give much time the mob
were rushing upon the military, and sczing their
kets.
Gro w. MATsEIL, Chief Of Police, sworn says:-I am
Chief of Police sent for Thursday last by the
Mayor and informed by him that he fearful that
riot would take place at the Astor Place Opera House
ter talking little time learned that he had sent for
number Of gentlemen TO consult with him; the result
Of that consultation that the public peace should
maintained; was directed to take all tho police
that could be spared visited the Opera House
about four o'clock that afternoon TO make arrange
monts at six O'Clock occupied the house, with 200
poccmen In different parts for the purpose of keeping
order also posted something like 75 policemen Mrs
Langdon stable and house opposite; also covered the
rear Of the theatre with two patoons of policemen
consisting ofabout 50men thore very largo crowd