The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-06-14
The BROOKLYN Riot,
From the New York Times, June 81


There was terrible riot in Brooklyn
yesterday, during which some forty or fifty
persons, either Witnesses or parties caus.
ing it., were very seriously injured. The
particulars. as near as our reporters could
learn, are as follows:
A street preacher spoke according to
announcement, at the corner of Atlantic
and Smith streets, about six o'clock, with
out any serious interruption. There was
an unusually large attendance. composed
of the Know Nothings from New York
and Brooklyn, numbering some five thou
sand, and large crowd of Irish Catholics
and others, drawn there as spectators
few who became noisy were taken in
charge by the police and locked up
When the preacher had concluded, the
Know Nothings from New York formed a
procession, and marched towards Catha-
rine Ferry, being escorted by their Brook
lyn friends. Through Smith street, they
were suffered to proceed without Interrupt
ton, until the head of the procession ar
rived at the corner of Main and Front
streets, when one of a party of Irishmen
nearly all intoxicated, who had congrega.
the missile left his hand, when he received
a pistol ball in the leg, which broke the
bone. A general assault was then made
with stones, clubs, &C., which the Know,
Nothings received coolly, marching on
steadily in unbroken ranks, and returning
the fire with pistols. They formed in {
compact mass in the open space before
Catharine Ferry.
large force OF police had been detail
ed under the charge OF Chief Folkes, whe
acted with Praiseworthy promptness ant
bravery in arresting the rioters, prevent
ing general rush on the determined New
} Yorkers, and carrying away the wounded
| About this time two pistol shots were fret
, from house near the ferry, which wa
: the signal for another rush OF the mob
t which was received by another volley OF
the part OF the New Workers.
} Several persons were wounded danger
, ously, but happily none were killed. Tn
Chief of Police, Mr.. Folkes received
blow of a stone in the back, which disa
bled him for few minutes, and was 9th
erwise severely bruised, while his aid
and the police force generally receive
t rough reatment-many of them being Sc
t verely cut and bruised. Officer Eros
3 was knocked down and trampled on.
At7a o'clock, the riot assumed an alarm
n ing aspect, and orders were accordingl
: sent to the armory for the fourteenth reg
r ment OF militia, under command OF Co
i Jesse c.. Smith, which were under arms
/, The following companies arrived upo
9 the ground: City Grenadiers. Capt. Bu
;, nett;. National Guard, Lieut.. Mallory
o Franklin Guards, Capt. Baldwin; Steube
;, Guards. Capt. Schepher; Shields Guard
Capt. McCarthy; and Emmett Guard
e Capt. McDonald-all OF the fourteeni
J. regiment, accompanied by Brig. Gener
a Duryea and his staff, Drs. Ball and Rhode
= on foot.
The services Of the military were on
required to occupy the ground and pr
vent another assault. They remained Q
h the ground until late hour, and perfe
q quiet had been restored.
v The New Workers had meantime file
!. in the ferry-house, and returned aero
# the river. A very excited state OF ieelir
h existed throughout the day.