The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-11
DREADFUL RIOT AND Bl00DSHED
AT THE
ASTOR PLACE THEATRE!
THE MILITARY CALLED OUT.
FIRING ON THE OPLE!
AWFUL SACRIFICE OF LIFE.

known that Mr.. Macready was driven from the
stage of that theatre on Monday evening last, by
persons who had attended that es tabshnient for
the purpose. On Wednesday, several gentlemen
of this city united In writing note to Mr.. Macrca-
dy, regretting the occurrence, and requesting him
TO appear again and conclude his engage cement,
which to be his last IN this country. To this
note Mr.. Macready replied that he would again
perform. Accordingly, bills were issued, and other
arrangements made, for his appearance. In the
meantime rumors prevailed throughout the city,
that the opposition to Mr.. Macready's appearance
would be persisted IN, and that arrangements had
been made to carry this determination into eff
feet The municipal authorities made their
arrangements likewise, and it became evident
throughout the day that there would be serious
collision between the rioters and the authorities,
in the event of the former attempting to carry
their threat into execution. During the day. the
probability of such collision was much discussed
by all classes of the community, and great and
anxious interest felt in the result.
AS early as half-past six o'clock, persons began
to assemble around the theatre; and, at about
seven, crowds were seen vending their way to
the theatre from all parts of the city. BY half
past seven, there were several hundreds in the
street, IN front of the Opera House, and the rush to
get admitance was tremendous. Tickets for
sufficient number to fill the house, were sold,
and the announcement was made on a placard
that no more would be sold. Meantime, the
crowd outside was increasing every minute.
Every avenue to the theatre soon became dense
ly crowded Astor Place occupied by an
immense assemblage, almost all Of whom had APP
parently been attracted by curiosity. The por-
ton of the Bowery adjoining the theatre was also
crowded, and, in Broadway, which had at that
poinIbeen opened for the purpose of constructing
a sewer, hundreds of persons were seen crowded
together on the top of the mound Of earth thrown
up from the centre of the street.
The house itself was filled to the dome. A great
portion of the assemblage in the theatre consisted
of policemen, who had been distributed all over
the house in detached parties There was not any
appearance Of an organized party of rioters in the
house. When the curtain rose, there was an out
burst of hisses groans, cheers, and miscellaneous
sounds, similar to those which interrupted the per-
Torrance on Monday might. The opening scenes,
however, were got through with after fashion,
several persons who Kissed and hooted having been
seized by the police, and Immediately conveyed to
an apartment underneath the boxes, where they
Were placed in confinement, under the charge of
a posse of the police officers. Macreadys APP
pearance was the signal for great expo-
sion of feeling. Kisses, groans, shouts of deri-
| sion assailed him, intermingled with loud cries
| of Out with him - Out with him ~ Large num-
bers of the auditory started to their feet and called
the police to eject the individuals who had expressed
their dsapprobation and several arrests made in
the have described each arrest being fol-
lowed by loud cheers and applause all the house
Macready were in the minority.
Thus the play proceeded through the first two acts.
There had been great deal of trepidaton behind the
scenes but the hcroism with which the actors and
tresses sustained themselves the stage, Is worthy
of all praise. Tho manner of Mrs. Pope the Lady
Macbeth Of this melancholy night deserves the most
honorable mention. 1t was, indeed, trying scene
Mir Macready repeatedly expressed to Mr Iacket his
wish desist his desire to avoid any further col
lson with those who opposed to his appearance
but amid the shouts goans hsses and arrests by the
police, the play have said, went on, much Of it
in dumb show but portions Of it without much inter
rupton. 1t supposed at this moment, that the tu
multi would be eectually quelled for the disturbance
in the house became less and less and pas
sagcs Of Mr. Macready's part heard, with tole
rable degree Of order
The first persons arrested in parquctte four
young men, who locked up in the temporary pri-
under the boxes which have already described.
In this a. artment was gas-light burning aud the
prisoners, pulling up some shavngs and pieces ofwood,
set fire to them When the policemen opened the door,
the place full Of smoke but the officers speedily
tinguished the fire. The prisoners who had attempted
this atrocous crime Immediately put in irons.
At this moment shower of stones assaed the win
dows of the theatre. News then in from the
street through Captain Tiey, of the 18th ward that
mob outside, and calling upon them to the build
ing The Chief Of Police Immediately ordered his
rest which promptly effected. In the meantime
the assault upon the doors and windows continued.
Voney after voley Of large paving stones dis
charged against the windows The glass of course
in few moments all smashed to atoms but been
barricaded, the windows resisted tho attack
minutes at last yielding, however, the fragments Of
glass and blinds and barrcades being driven with vio-
lence into the body Of the house, great alarm began
to peryade the audience. Rumors Of all kinds-that
the house to be fredthat il 20 be blown up,
and so circulated The ladies, seven in num-
Der, who present, and who, with heroism that
did infinite credit to their sex had till this moment
preserved their equanimity, now became alarmed,
we'll they might and shifted their seats to the part of
the house not in the range OF any Of the windows
through which the stones and fragments Of glass and
wood were now flying.
At this time, the scene within the house was indeed
most exciting In front and the fierce assaults Of
the mob they Numbered at the doors resounded all
the theatre whilst the shouts and yclls Of the
sailans terrific. Inside, however, all was compa
rativcy quiet The admirable arrangements Of the
Chief of Police and the Recorder and the fidelity and
intelligence with which their orders carried out
by the force under their command secured the peace
and safety Of the interior Of the building We cannot
award too much praise to the police for the
in which they arrested the leading rioters in the
house, and making sorties among the crowd outside
secured many Of the ringleaders Of the mob,
As the mob increased in magnitude and in the fero
city with which they assailod the building, the cry
arose inside and also outside, among the peaccable
citzens attracted by curiosity which in such case,
was most culpabe" Where are the military g Can
nothing be done TO dispense the riotors?n Where's
the Mayor" Several dispatches were sent to the