Washington telegraph., 1849-10-31
From the N. O. Bulletin.


ready announced that great riot occurred
at Philadelphia, on the night OF the 9th,
which resulted in the death OF several
nersons, and the destruction OF MucR
nroperty. We take the following notice
Of the matter from the Inquirer, OF the
10th:
II appears that gang ofmen and boys,
amounting it is said to several hundreds.
and mostly armed with guns pistols or
Ln;ves hovered about St. Mary's street,
which is chiefly inhabited by colored peo-
ple, and those not OF decent and oroeriy
Class, generally speaking. At the same
time. there were several knots or crowds
of colored men hanging about, and two or
three collisions occurred.
This was the state Of things shortly
.fter nine o'clock. Before ten, an attack
mas made upon tavern at the corner OF
S;.th and ST. Mary streets, calld the Cal
;sornia House. This place was kept by
y colored man, who was reported to be
married, or at any rate, living with q
,yh;te woman. Whether such was re-
.lv the case, or merely rumor, circulated
80 exc;te popular indignation, 1t is not IN
INV nower to state At any rate the
hopse was soon in flames, the inmates
driven out and fired upon, with many
other colored persons-men, women ana
children-who were seen lying from
their houses in extreme terror-chaseo
nv gangs who pelted them with brlck-
hats auI fred after them with guns ana
n;s,ols Several were said to be wound
sd-and it was stated that more than one
sv,s killed But this report we could not
perlfy. The assailants are described as
be;uo composed of the "Klllers' and
other and similar associations OF disturb
ers Of the public peace. Meanwhile the
fire made rapid progress-but severa'
Engine and Hose companies were soon
upon the ground. And here truly
fr.rhtfui scene occurred. The flrcmen
who went to the oonflagratlon tor the
purpose of saving property, were hfea
mon. not in solitary cases-bnt actually
in running fire and by volleys OF seVe-
ral guns and pistols at once-the rlOtels
being out in very strong force. lhey
were also assailed with showers OF BRICK
bats and their hose cut in every direction.
In Ia word, the first companies that arrived
were compelled. as the only mode OF
avoiding wounds or death, to leave the
neighborhood. Still the firing continued.
1t is impossible to tell the number OF Kill
ed and wounded; but we saw either hve
or SIX carried to druggists shops or 10 the
Uospital. on chairs or settlers. We heard
that two were shot while standing on the
engine, and one was reported to he Killed.
The most moderate statements that
were made at l2 o'clock, admitted that
at least twenty were wounded, and about
four killed. Shortly before midnight,
body OF police forced their way to the
scene of action, fire and hloodshed, and
while standing in Sixth street, below l4om-
bard we heard at least dozen shots
fired between ST. Marys and South
streets. while bricks were showered 10y
the rioters; but as the body of men, which
We were told were police, was not repuls-
ed, it was fair to presume that the rioters
had given way. Still the dangerous mis-
siles flew in showers; and at the same
time, one or two Engines and Hose Car
riages-the Moyamensing and Hope, as
We were Informed, were exerting them
selves TO extinguish the tiames Ihe
whole scene was fearful and mOurnful-a
source of sorrow to every Philadelphia.
AT the corners of all the streets for many
squares, were groups of citizens assembled
anxious for the latest intelligence, and
mourning over the insecurity OF lite and
property in that portion of the metropolis
Barney HlmmelwrIght, member OF
the Good Will Hose, reported TO have
bee shot through the heart.
Two other firemen dangerously wound
ed-one in the head and one in the side.
A third wounded in the leg.
The military were called out at mid
night, aud several companies made their
appearance OH the ground atone O'Clock
this morning. AS late as two o'clock this
morning. there was still an immense
crowd of people The military remained
OIL the ground.
The Baltimore Sun of the llth, has
the following additional particulars:
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10-A. M.
The rioters were quelled and dispersed
by the military at 2 o'clock this morning,
and the buildings which had been fired
extinguished
This morning., however, after the mill
tary had left the ground, the riots were rer
newed and other buildings Destroyed
Fire arms and other missiles were freely
used, and several persons were badly hurt.
At half past 10 o'clock, six or eight
Military Companies. headed by the Sher-
if and the Mayor, marched to the scene
of action, took possession Of the disturbed
district, and planted cannon in the streets
to prevent the encroachment OF the
crowd
A number of fire companies are now III
service round the ruins. Several other
buildings have been burnt.