Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-05-25
SUMMARY OF THE RIOT AT N. YORK

well received
SUMMARY OF THE RIOT AT N. YORK.
Serious indeed must have been the disturb
ancc created by the icalousies Of the two rival
actors, Forrest and Macready, when it required
the intervention of an armed force to quell the
rioters. Macready having been driven from the
stage cn Monday night, 18th inst, at the earnest
solicitations ofa number of the citizens, announ.
ced his re-appearance on the next Thursday
evening large crowd assembled at the Astor
Place, aud as many of the rioters MS could pro.
cure seats, entered the theatre. The appear
ance of Mac:eady was the signal for the out
break he was greeted by Kisses and groans
The performances were constantly interrupted
by these men of no lava number of them
were arrested by the Police who had been
placed in the house for that purpose. The mob
outside having increased 10 Il very large num-
Der, and hearing the efforts of their comrades
to hiss the actor from the stage, commenced
operations by throwing stones, shouting, and
making great uproar in the street. The en-
tire police were called ~ and their efforts to
suppress the riot Were entirely unayailng. A
considerable number of militia were ordered,
and as they appeared they were hissed and
booted by the mob--it however opened and
allowed them to pass The militia were then
stationed before the theatre to secure an egress
for the audience. The mob became SO violent
that the performances were stopped--they had
broken the windows and doors, and fred sever
al times the theatre. The mob, at length hav-
ing occupied an adjacent marble yard, COM
menced an attack upon the militia--severely
wounding the Captain OF one of the companies
some of the other officers, and several privates
The wounded were removed to the theatre
The mob in possession of the marble yard were
charged by the police and driven back; but as
soon as the officers left it itre-occupied the came
and continued to throw stones at the militia
1t is said that several pistols were fred by the
mob, but OF this there seems to be no certain
ty. The militia informed the Sheriff that ,ln.
less they received orders TO fire, that they
wouldleave. They were ordered to load and fire
The first discharge was fired over the heads
of the mob il had no effect The second was
fred ct them, killing 81 and wounding 33, some
of won have since died. The larger portion Of
the mob dispersed, and left the military and Po-
lice in possession of the field, which they occu-
pied for the remainder of the night,
AS serious disturbances were expected for
the next night, Friday 18th inst,) effective
measures were taken to suppress it. A larger
number OF armed forces were called out, and it
is said that the Governor of New York made n
requisition for some of the United States forces,
which were placed at his disposal. Placards
were posted up, calling meeting Of the citi.
zens at the Park for this evening. large
concourse assembled, and several very inAam.
matory speeches were made, censuring the
authorities and charging them with murder.
The Mayor Issued q. proclamation calling on
the citizens to rally to the standard of peace
and good order. The measures taken by the
authorities checked any serious outbreak,
though large numbers continued to prowl
about the late scene of action until midnight
Up to Tuesday the 10Th inst no other disturb
ance had occurred.
The police had arrested large number of
the rioters and among others the leader
Macready left for Boston, and has since sail
ed for England.
The jury of Inquest held over the bodies of
those killed on the 10th inst, have retur,ed n
verdict justifyng The militia in the use of their
fire arms.
HAVANA.