The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-07-21
THE in QUIRERa
ThaFsday Id.ly II, 1854.


a 1t1ots
The lower part Of our city was, on Sunday
night last, the scene of a serious disturbance.
The fact seems to Be. that gang Of intoxi-
GATED Irishmen, q large number Of whom
have congregated about here in consequence
Of The construction of the. railroad and re-
building Of the locks, had become strongly
combatiys, and were seeking some occasion
for the exercise Of their excited propensitles.
About dark several individuals were attacked
IN passing along down Front street and one
man was seriously hurt in the leg About
9 o'clock things seemed to beapproaching q
crisis. Some Is or 20 lrishmen came in
front Of Mr.. Heckingers residence and COM
menced an attack by throwing brickbats at
the house. The determined stand taken by
MIR. ii. and one or two of his friends, how
ever, caused them to desist, Soon after they
became engaged with-a party Of young men,
near the corner Of Front and Massie streets.
Brickbats and stones passed freely between
the belligeen.s. rattling like hail against the
adjacent houses. For while it seemed to
be supposed that the fight was to be one be-
tween the Germans and Irish alone. About
this time however, the citizens generally, who
happened 10 be stirring collected in conside-
rable numbers near the scene of the conflict,
r
and awaited the arrival Of the Mayor and
Marshall before making any demonstrations
upon the aggressors. 558i
The city anthoritieswere not long in reach
ing the place, and then commenced scene
that beggars all description. The lrishmen
fed and endeavored to secrete themselves in
and around the houses occupied by them,
comprising considerable number near the
lower end Of town. The crowd commenced
an assautiupon the upper one of a long
range Of old one-story buildings, The win
dows and doors of this were soon demolished
and the house was instantly filled, Every
building in the range soon shared the same
fate, as the excitement was too high for the
exercise Of much discrimination. A number
Of poor devils were dragged from their con-
cealmert and hurried off to the watch house
bya willing escort who deemed the duty a
labor of love. Several of the Irish were
badly hurt, and we regret to say that. in. some
cases, they were struck and injured after be-
ing taken and in custody, For this there is
no excuse. No man, whatever the excite
ment, should be guilty Of striking prisoner.
The crowd then rushed to the large Ma
tional house, now filed with families, most.
" Irish. Several were found here und Ia
ken off. 1t was evident that many were
yet concealed somewhere when more Wig
orous and closer search was Instituted and 9
number were found in various hiding places
One fellow was dragged from chimney ant
several from the weeds and privies. W.
have seen many rabbit and rat hunts in ou
day, out we never saw pursuers keener OF
the scent, or more active on the track, thai
were the Irish hunters of Sunday night
The provocation had been great and our cit
liens were justly indignant at the Outrage;
committed and attempted but as in all
cases Of high excitement, especially when
such excitements are rare, many things were
j.
done which it would have been better tc
leave undone.
In the search, barrel nearly full of whis.
key and keg Of brandy were found and soor
rolled down the grade and destroyed. AL
the difficulty might doubtless be traced tc
these as its source. But yet, it was fitting
that the combative propensities of these
men should receive a check. and we trus
the events of Sunday night, together will
the fact that some ten OF The rioters wer
committed TO Jail on Monday morning, will
prove to be such. Rows Of this kind shoull
be promptly put down, as nothing short o
this will secure peace, order and safety t
the city.
Tha nAicara NJ tho " Ta VIM