Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-06-13
The Rtot at Montreal.

We copy from the Montreal Herald, of june
10Th, the following particulars of the riot at Mon
treal, which grew out Of the Anti Catholic Lee
ture of Father Gavazzi, and which resulted in
the death of several persons, who were shot down
by Her Majesty's troops.
AS advertised, Signor Gavazzmet numerous
audience in Zion's Church, at IL O'Clock 2.
NJ, Yesterday Many Of our most respectable
citizens with their families were present.
At7I-2 o'cloch we went to the door Of the
Church, where we found Capt. Ermanger with
a strong posse of police, some 20 or 30 men. At
this time, and for about half an hour after, gronps
of wild, ragged looking men, were assembled
around the door of the Church. and at different
points between the Church and AicGIl street
We mixed freely among these people, and con-
versed with more than one OF those who are con-
-sidered the leaders Of the Irish Catholic party
We were assured by them that they had only
come 10 the ground to use their influence TO pre-
vent "A disturbance, and might rest satisfied
that the lecture would pass oil quietly. We were
not. however, satisfied with the aspect Of affairs,
and remained on the ground.
At about s 4o'o clock, Il band Of rulians, we
learn, (for although in sish,we were at too great
a distance to see more than that general melee
police Capt Ermalinger receiving seyete
wound on the head--and proceeded to force their
way into the Church, from which body of if
teen or twenty repused ihent several shots from
guns and pistols being fired on both -ices.
The asslulling party were eifectually routed
two or three OF their numbers were left dead
or severely wounded The ground, but were
shortly afterwards renewed in Gals by their
friends.
Soon after this occurrence, a Company of the
Twenty sixth Cameronians marched from Craig
street, and were drawn up between the engine
house and that street. All seemed perfectly
quiet, and remained so until about 8 Ia O'Clock,
at about which time the Lecture was concluded,
and the audience inside the church had begun TO
leave for home.
At this time the troops were marched across
Craig street, and took their position in two lines
across RadeYOnde street-one line nearly oppo-
site Zion's Church. and the other some hundred
PAGES nearer Craig street. A good deal of boot
ing and noise prevailed at this time, and on the
McGill street side of Craig street, some disturb
ance with the lowest line of troops occurred, and
two or three shots were fired, in other respects
all seemed peaceable
We were, at this time, at the corner of St
James and McGill streets, and had clear and
distinct view OF the troops, aud Of the people in
their immediate vicinity. There we saw no vi
olence on tie part Of the mob nothing, indeed,
but the people hurrying from the Church--when,
to our utter establishment, we saw and heard tho
troops fire two distinct, running volleys, among
the apparently, to US, peaceable cilizsns. Think
ing it high time to attend TO our own safety, we
beata rapid retreat from this apparent scene Of
waLon-and uncaed for slaughter.
This, feel, is not the time to express The
Indignation with which we saw British troops de-
liberately shoot down our peaceful and unoffcnd-
ing fellow citizens. We were too far off to speak
personally OF the conduct OF the Mayor and Of
the officers by whose orders they were fired, but
five are correctly informed by those who were
on the spot, there nothing whatever to justi-
fly so rash and cowardly proceeding. We must
not, however, PREJUDICE their conduct on this oc-
cason, but the blood of those who fell calls loud
ly for prompt investigation into every circum-
stance connected with the melancholy affair, and
apparently at least, wanlon massacre.
The account concludes with list of the killed
and wounded, which contains the names of some
Of the most respectable and influential people Of
the city, and who were in no ways concerned in
the rotous proceedings.