The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-20
The New Haven Riot.

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Our correspondents at New Haven have furnished us
with the following accounts Of the late riot between the
students Of Yale College and party Of disordery c
zens in that city
New HAVEN, March 1S, 1854.
This usually quiet city last night the scene of
terrible and bloody fray between hundred Of that
portion Of citizens denominated rowdes and the
students Of Yale College. The circumstances were
these .
On the night previous, small number of students
while returning from Homans Athencum, "a theatre in
this place) were assaulted, and, fight ensuing, the
aar ended In the arrest Of of the combatants
The feeling existing between the students and portion
u our mechanics has for many years BEEN hostile one
and this arsv. though aiiyht s.rvaa srav.tc ths
mutual hostility Last night large number OF students
were present at the Athneum attracted thither by the
performances Of Mr.. and Mrs. Ilunkett of your city
and issuing from the building they were again at
tackled, and running fight ensued. From the theatre
situaed at the corner Of Chapel and Church strecs
up TO the green in front Of the colleges the ar.y con-
tnued. 1t should, in justice to the students who are
sometimes too much inclined to provoke encounter
be remarked that they ut first acted imply the defen
sve and slowly retreaed towards the college buildings
When about half they suddenly atacked with
yoley Of bricks stones, &c. by which several were Sc
yerely though believe OF them seriously injured
At this uncure several pistols fred which had the
effect OF bringing the assaants 10 halt The students
proceeded to the College, and gathered about the build
ing South College which was nearest the street. News
brought that their assaiants recruiting their
was soon confirmed by their arrival in front of Col
lege with two pieces Of cannon which were loaded with
sugs stones &C. At this point the Mayor of the city,
Skinner arrived and the police force being much aug
mented they were forced to desst from outrage as
hghhanded as its effects would have been disastrous 1t
was afterwards discovered that, during the fight
man, by the name of Patrick O'Ne had been stabbed
mortay and that several others more or less in
jured None OF the students, 1t is ascertaned
seriously hurt.
Much Of the blame Of this occurrence must rest with
city and police authorities, who must haye been
Of the trouble anticipated the principal street
Of the city was, during the whole evening, thronged
Lave been made Euoh excitement lite % prevails IVA and
fS,msa e SsaS Of Of hs inquest is now sitting
NEW HAVEN March 18, 1854.
Somewhat of serious affair occurred here last night
Friday IT. between students of Yale and the Irish
men Of the town. The Irshmen from unknown cause
have always exhibited i'll will towards the students and
have attacked them whenever they have had oppou
nifty Last night rday) about twenty Of the students
of Yale were returning peaceaby from place Of
ment and when the College grounds attacked
by about hundred Irshmcn, with brick bats stones
and other missiles several were Immediately feed to the
ground Here regular battle ensued and was carried
for time in which several students and others
seriously injured. One Irishman by the name OF
Patrick ONeil, was killed, being stabbed the heart
by some student unknown. stranger boarding at he
New Haven Hotel hearing the noise started out to see
what the matter, and while looking on pistol ball
erazed his sleeve. The students secre,cd in the
College The assailants then left It was supposed
that there would be no further trouble. About one
O'Clock at night they received word that large party
OF lrishmcn were advancing with cannons. BY this time
all tie studcnts aroused They immedia ely closed
the windows, and barrcaded the doors with plsnks
short time, about Ave hundred persons adyan ed with
two cannon loaded with grape shot They threatened
to frc on the College, II the student by whose hands
O'Neil received his deathblow not Forthcoming.
This threat they prevented from executing by the
arrival Of the police who spiked the There s
doubt II they had been permitted to execute their
purpose, serious results would have ensued large
portion Of the students armed with pistols There
great commotion in the streets all night the bells
were all ringing and certainly the most exciting time in
the streets of New Haven for time. 1t Is not
known by whom ONeil killed. II Is not probable it
will be. Whoever II was he cannot be blamed, as 1t
done only in self defence. The students were not
the aggressors.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DEcrsIoN--The Supreme
Judicial Court at Boston, has decided that section
Of the liquor law describing the mode of searches
for and conhscation Of liquor, inconsistent with the
We publish the decision elsewhere As we understand It,
the cases in which this decision rendered we're
brought on appeal from the county courts and
heard by the full bench, and Il therefore be consi
dered final The other sections Of the bill however
hbiting the traffic. &C., NOT affected by the deci
sion.
The question Ii which interests us In New York,
chiefly as spectators The law in question declared in
consistent with the fourteenth section OF the Masachu
&c The constitution Of this State Ia differently worded
Although provision 10 made for preventing with
out due compensation there IL nothing in IL respecting
unreasonable Searches