The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-10-19
RI0Ts AT PmILADELPmIA.

RIOTS Al PHILADELPHIA.
We append the following briefaccount
of 4 late riot, which took place, 10 the a
bovs city on the evening Of the 9th inst.
It is taken from the BNiletia:
1t is with sincere regret that we record
the occurrence of one of the most dread
full aud sanguinary riots that has taken
place for many years in our city. So far
as we have been able TO collect the par
ticulars, il appears that gang ofmen and
boys, amounting is said to several hun
dred, and mostly armed with guns. pistols
or knives, hovered about st Mary's street,
which is chiefly inhabited oy colored peo-
pie. aud those not of decent and order.
Iy class, generally speaking. Al the same
time, there were several knots or crowds
of colored people hanging about, and two
or three collisions occurred
This was the state Of things shortly at
ter nine O'Clock. Before ten, an attack
was made upon tavern at the corner o
Sixth aud St. Mary's streets, called the
California House. This place was KEEP
by colored man, who was reported t
be married, or at any rate, living with I
white woman Whethersuch were reall.
the case, or merely rumor, circulated
to excite popular iudignation.is not in ou
power To state. At any rate, the house
was soon in flames, the inmates driver
out and fred upon, with many other col
ored persOns-men, women aud chlIdreI
who were seen flying from their house
in extreme terror, chased by gangs, VIII
pelted them with brick bats aud fred a!
ter them with guns and pistols. Severa
were said to be wounded-and it is state
that more than one was killed. But thi
report We could not verify. The assa
ants are described as being composed {
the "Killers" and other and similar a:
socialions of disturbers of the publ
peace Meanwhile the fire made rapi
progress-but several Engine and Hos
companies were soon upon the grount
And here a truly irightful scene occurred
The firemen who went to the contlagrf
lion for the purpose of saving propert!
were fired upon, not in solitary cases.
but actually in running fire and by vo
leys ofseveral guns and pistols at once
the rioters being out in very strong iorc'
f They were also assailed with shower
of brickbat aud their hose cut in evel
direction. In a word, the first compt
nies that arrived were compelled, as til
only mode Of avoiding wounds or dealt
TO leave the neighborhood. Still the Rrin
continued. 1t is impossible TO tell tn
number of killed aud wounded; but W
: saw either FIVE or six carried 20 druggist
] shops OF 10 the Hospital. on chairs or Sc
tees. We heard that two were sh'
while standing on an engine, and one WI
reported to be killed.
The whole scene was fearful and monr
:, ful-a source ofreal sorrow to every Phi
- adelphian. At the corners Of all Il
= streets for many squares, were groups
citizens assembled, anxious for the late
', intelligence, and mourning over iusec
4 rlty Of HE ana property IN lhat Pollloh
g our metropolis. ...
Berney Himmelwright, member
= the Good Will Hose, reported to ha'
been shot through the heart.
Two other fremen dangerously wou
ded-one in the head and one in the sid
, A third wounded in the leg. .l.
d After the departure Of the military,
= the morning, the riot was renewed; b
II they were again called out and the rio
>, ers were dispersed.
Fourpersons were killed OF have sin
IS died, and seve raj houses destroyed, Sc
!, eral arrests have been made.