The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-27
DREADFUL RIOT AND LOSS OF LIFE
AT HOBOKEN.
THE MAY FESTIVAL OF THE GERMANS.
SEVERAL MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED.
A Justice Of the Peace Badly Wounded
4 Large Number Of Prisoners Captured,
&c., &C., &c.

Yesterday the Germans of this city held their
annual May festival at Hoboken, accompanied by
their wives and children. The numbers va
riously estimated. Some say they numbered 20 900;
Others 10000; but, at all events, the numbers were
very considerable They had two bands of music,
and seven glee clubs, with banners and badges.
Some of the latter were red, and bore the inscrp-
ton " Maifest, New York, lssl.'
They passed over the ferries at eleven O'clock, to
the spot where the festival was held which is called
Fox HILL in the vicinity Of the Elysiaa Fields In
the afternoon, while the Germans were partaking
of picnic on the grass, a disturbance took place
between them and some young men Of Hoboken
and New York, whom the Germans describe as
Rock Boys and Short Boys, and allege that they
seized their sausages and drank their bccr. The
Germans repulsed them, beating them severely.
The two parties subsequently met al McCarty's
saloon, about three o'clock in the AFTERNOON, and
there was the first serious outbreak of riot. The
party of Germans who were engaged'here all wore
white shert coats, and white hats, ard may be de-
sgnated the Short Boys, or fghtirg men, of the
Germans. Several cf them had knives and
arms. There are those who say that there
was no disturbance whatever al it commenced
here, and that it originated in the Germans
refusing, when blows followed, and the Hobokcn
boys took part vita him, and melee began, which
resulted in the demolition of McCarty's house, and
the serious injury Of lame child Of himself and
his wife, McCarty fred two shots into the crowd,
one Of which took effect in the groin of a German.
The combatants tore up a fence, and dealt dreadful
blows to each other; they also welded the legs of
broken tables and chairs and the branches Of trees
freely. The tide of battle advanced and receded,
the scale Of victory at time inclning in favor
of the Germans, and at another for their opponents
The Germans exceeding their antagonists in num-
bers, drove them of the field, killing and
wounding others This battle lasted about three
hours.
The Short Boys, or Rock Boys, or by whatever
name they may be designated fastened 30 the
village, and meeting large number of Irish labor
ers, who had just stopped work at o'clock,
enlisted them in their service by telling them that
the Germans were cutting the threats of American
citizens. Many Of the citizens of Hoboken, too,
collected to give the Germans battle, while most
persons shut up their houses and barricaded their
windows and doors. Meantime, the Germans hav-
ing carried McCarty's house by storm, and smashed
doors, windows, bar, fixtures and furniture, they
and various skirmishes took place, in which the
Germans were still successful. All this time the
women and children we're screaming with terror and
running in all directions from the showers ofsones
that were flying Many ofthem lie n their husbands
and sweethearts behind, and made their way in the
best manner they could TO the Jersey Ferry. In one
ofthese onslaughts, the Germans beat young man
dreadfully that he lay on the field for dead. The
Germans with the white coats acted in concert by
the sound Of a horn.
At this period of the hostilities Mr.. Burning.
Justice Of the Peace, in addressing the rioters and
endeavoring to quell the fight, knocked down
and badly injured His head is severely wounded
The Germans, supposing that their victory was
complete, relaxed in their pursuit, and beg tired
Of fighting they scattered, many Of them look for
their wives and children, and female friends. Some
Of the prettiest Of the women might be seen with
clubs in their hands
Meantime, the "boys," reinforced by the Irish
laborers and by citizens Of boken, waited at Otto
Cottage for the scattered and Struggling parties of
Germans they came to the ferry. Those who |
were protected by women, escaped with some
Kisses, taunts and curses; but every German who
had not petticoat to defend him. particularly if he
had white coat, was knocked down, made prisoner
Of and in many instances well beaten after he was
rested. Several wagons and omnibus loads of prison
sent TO Berg jail The Germans in the rear
finding what was going on ahead Of them, fastened
forward 10 the rescue when q terrible battle com
menecd opposite TO the Office Of the magistrate, Mr.
Burning, corner Of Washington and Newark streets
the doors and wndowssha pieces, and stones
were thrown into the store of at least ten pounds
weight. Almost every house down 70 the ferry was
rriddled, particularly Popes and corbe,ts, Mr.
to Gilmore's. They got up on the roof Mr.
Lewis house and proceeded 10 demolish it. The
Germans were now again victorious. Thus
riot regned uncontrolled, with but one magistrate
and two constables TO oppose the torrents. One Of
the cor stables, named Francis, had revolver but
Of what avail was Il to subduc such riot that
A darkness fell the scene became more horrible, l
and individual stragglers were dealt numerically ,
with. The theatre Of battle now shifted "a the 4
ferry, and outside and in, and on the adjoining 4
green, the fight ragged furious'y. Mr.. Barker, I
shut Up the building Meantime, the Justice /
swore in special constablcs, and the citizens, |
incensed by having their houses attacked, fockcd 1
to the standard Of the Justice, who stationed him
self at the ferry, and rad the Germans arrested a.
they passed through the gate. In this way some
forty Efty were made prisoners, while sisrmish
attended almost every capture; and thus the hOst-
hties were kept up tl nm advanced hour.
Assistance was sent for 70 the New York police, I
and refused. Then Jersey City was applied TO-
when two military companies and few fremen
turned out-n all about seventy or one hundred
men-and marched for the Geld Of battle,
where they arrived after nine o'clock and when
the worst Of the affair was over. They beat
their drum, however, and cheered mos. vigorously;
but there was not an enemy 20 be seer, except
q men. women and children. fke main body lad
either passed over the ferry, gone round to Ier
sey City ferry, kept out in the woods, afraid 10
come forward 10 encounter the foe and no doubt (
of them remained there all night. II was
said that large party cFthe boys intended TO at
tack Beckers house during the night. and that the
putchmen we're well prepared TO- them, with fire. /
arms IL the course Of the fight, the houses Of the
Dutch residing in Hoboken, were attacked by the /
boys nod one ofthcm, residing in Bloom field street.
collected a number Of Dutch friends 70 defend bis 4
domcile with guns, and pistols, and blunderbusses;
and they came outside and sworc vengeance against
the Short Boys. They we're, however, persuaded 10 I
70 in and not provoke a rencontre While all this 4
goirg on az Hoboken, there was great excite
ment at The two Hobokcn ferries this side, both az
Barclay and Canal street, and some fighting took I
place. A man, nicknamed Dick the Blower, /
charged with shooting one of the Germans, was ar
rested by officer Johnson, Of the Fifth ward on this
SIDE the water