Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-05-16
GREAT RIOT AT MONTREAL!
The Parliament Mobbcd and Dis
perscd..-The Parliament House
burned.
BurFALo, April 26, 1849.

=
burned.
BurFALo, April 26, 1849.
Last night, whilst the Assembly was
.,oaced on the Judictaure bill,a loud shout
saye evidence that riot was fomenting
out. side.
Refore moment had elapsed number
IF stones were thrown in through the
windows. Immediately there was rush
# members behind the Speaker's-chair.
Stones continuing to be thrown in at the
windows, the benches were promptly de-
serted, as well as the strangers galleries
many members flying up stairs and
seeking refuge in the library.
During this scene Of uproar, the only
member visible in the house was Mr..
Stevenson, who placing himself on one of
tho benches between the windows, there
awaited the issue Of this unexpected de-
monstration, with the spirit Of one deter
mined not to finch.
The stones, which were for some time
thrown into the windows in front of the
buildings, now began to enter through the
,ea, windows, and before FIVE minutes
had elapse, few were left unbroken in the
whole range.
A slight ces sation in this work of des-
,ruction and outrage, having occurred,
several members vepturned to enter the
House from the lobby. This was signal
rarscommencement Of the attack, which
was now directed against all parts of the
building, and the House was again clear
ed. Not solitary member was to be
seen in the deserted hall; and stones con-
,uued to enter through the shattered VIM
dows falling with fearful violence in all
parts Of it.
At last the cry was raised from The IL
brary end CT the building. "They come:
and several who had taken refuge there,
rushed along the centre Of the Hall and
disappeared behind the Speakers chair
TIE lobby at the end being already crowd
ded with members and clerks. Immedi-
ately after, about dozen persons entered
the Assembly Hdl, armed with sticks
One Of them walked up the steps, aad
stationed himself in the Speakers chair.
Another looked around the Hall and NUT
tered something about dissolving Parlia-
ment. Others commenced the work of
destroying all before them. The haights
Of the Getting not being within their reach,
sticks were thrown at them, until the
globes were broken. The other glass
globes and fixtures were also broken
One of them visited the front range Of TIE
members benches on both sides Of the
house, hurling all the papers 10 Ike i nS: !
in his progress. Another, more deter
mined on destruction, tore up the benches,
throwing some of them into the centre Of
the floor, stamping on them and breaking
them 10 pieces. The splendid mace Of
The Assembly that laid under the table, /
caught the eye Of one Of party, who spec
Oily marched off with it on his shoulder.
The Sergeant alarms, whose province
lis to guard the emblem of Majesty, wit
messed the daring act in the doorway lead
Ing to the Library, and as the fellow pass
ed out, descended the crown end, and
nearly succeed i'll rescuing it; but two
or three of the party came to the rescue,
struck the Sergeant with clubs, aud COM
PEELED him to relinguish his hold, and the
4nace was carried of.
Having destroyed as much as they could,
they left the Assembly Hail, although al
few soon returned. But some Of the
members having entered from the rear
Of the Speakers chair, the rioters coi,ten-
ted 'nemseli with overturning few ofthe
benches; and but for The exertion oil
Messrs. Guey and Robinson, (the forne err
Of whom elected fellow in blanket coat
as he was about to demolish the Clerk
table, they would no, have left piece Of
furniture whole.
One fellow had the arms with the rod
Of Office of the Sergeant Arms, and went
about striking at everything within their
reach. At length he retired, and those in
IN the rear Of the Speakers chair were
obliged to escape, as the house had been
FIRED at the NIGH stree: end, and from
Inc light Of the fire, the whole building
seemed in flames.
"A cry went up to "save the Library
and Sir Allen McNab urged exertions
to effect this; but each seemed bent on
making his escape from the fire.
We learn that Sir Allen McNab and
Mr. Batgle went to the Library and at
tempted to save few volumes, but were
unable to get them out; and 10 save their
iVes' were compelled to go through the
canal chamber, and descend by means OF a
ladder from that end Of the building.
Inc Parliament House Library, &C.,
were totally destroyed.
Manv arroe4, L.. Il