Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-11-17
Fight between the Irish and Know
Nothings

copy an account Of a terrible riot which
occurred at the polls Of the first district,
Onthe afternoon Of the day Of the election,
in that State. between the Know NOthings
and the Irish voters:
Tas origin of the disturbance, as Ear as
we could learn, we've as follows: One Of
the Deputy Shcrifs, nanel Silkworth,
challenged an Irishman when he presented
himself at tbs poll. AS there was bitter
feeling existing against the Know Moth
ings in this ward, the lriShman took Of
fence at the challenger, and the result was
fight. The other deputy sheriff intelier-
red. an in few minutes there was gen
eral fight, in which several hundred parti-
cipate1. The Irish were the strongest, and
armed themselves with clubs and stones
Great excitement was produced by this
scene. and the fire bells were rmg, which
soon gathered together a large crowd
ar ny the fight, which continued about
half an hour, ten men of the Know Moth
ing side were badly beaten over the head
AMI limbs by clubs in the hands of the
Irish. VIM. Ii. Harrison, an ex-mcmber
of engine company had his head beaten in
to a jelly, and died from his injuries last
night. He received his wounds while en-
deavOring to rescue Deputy Sheriff Silk
worth from his assailants. John II. Smith,
a member of Engine No. 3, had his skull
fractured by blow from a club, while as
siSting to extricate Mr.. Harrison from the
Irish. Deputy Sheriff Silkworth was car
ried home, bruised in Stacking manner
Deputy Sheriff Wade was cut on the face
and head by blows from shovel. Depu-
ty Sheriff Russell was badly bruised Oh
the head by stone thrown from one il
the fight. John Rapely, VIM. Wright
aid Francis Harrison were among the
men who were beaten and bruised.
The Mayor held the military in rcadi
ness last night at the Odeon, to suppress
any furthey disturbance of the peace.
From the New York Times of the 1Otl
inst, we take the following later news o.
the riot at the polls in the second district
in Williamsburg:
At an early hour last evening rumors
place in Williamburg, in consequence o
the excitement caused by the death of Mr.
Harrison, who was killed at the riot on
Tuesday. Up to 10I o'clock quiet pre-
vailed, and to all appearance no trouble
was likely to occur.
About II O'Clock, procession of men
numbering about 800, came marching fou
abreast, through Fifth street, in a quie
and orderly manner. At the corner o
Grand and f'ifth-Sts., they were met b,
Mayor Wall, who exhortcd them to dis
perse, Mr. George II. Andrews, editor o
the Courier and En-, nt,uircr, also addressed
them AMI quite a number left the ranks
Some twenty special dcpties then proceed
,el to the place where the riot occurred, 70
the purpose of arrestiny ten or twelve mel
charged with being engaged in the clec
ton riot; il assistance were required theI
were to sena up two rockets.
The procession then proceeded down 5t'
street, iu front of Alderman Linsky's res
ilence; some twenty shots were fired i
the air. They then moved down Fifth t
Sccond-st., where an Irishman was stand
u
5ayonet; he said he was on guard, when
number Of pistols were fired, and the ma
gan away, leaving the gun behind him
At the corner of Second and North street
two mo lrishmen were met with muskct
which were taken from them. The PFC
,cession then marched up and down variol
streets, but met with no opposition, Il
i
sight.
\ cry was then raised to "Dowr wit
the Church." Mr.. George H. Andrew
here addressed the crowd, advising them
retire. He was loudly chccred, and mar
.hee,lcl his advice.
A firing was kept up throughout Il
line of march. In Second street, bctwcc
North-Sixth and Ninth Seventh street
some person fired from an alley windo
upon the procession, but without effect.
A man named Bennett narrowly esca
ed being shot, the ball struck his lt
shoulder, but having near spent its fore
lodged in the coat sleeve without causing
wound.
About - o'clock party of about II
Illell lllHlc an attack upon SC. Ictef al
st. paul's Catholic Church in Seconds
They first tore down an iron cross overt
gate entrance way; stoned the front wi
dows and broke in panel of the door;
cry was raised for matches to fire the ed
flee. At this moment, Mayor Wall, She
Tiff Lott and George Andrews appeared al
prevailed upon the crowd to dispersc
About this time, the Jefferson Blues al
captain Gaus' Company of Troops arri
cd at the City Park and were drawn up
await orders of the Mayor.
At o'clock this morning another pa
ty had gathered around the church, wi
the avowed intention of burning it dow
The military We're furnished with ball Cal
ridges, and marched at once to the seen
The rioters, however, had quietly dispcr
ed. Spies We're stationed throughout Il
city, and the movements of every man
the streets were closely scrutinized.
Just before any shot was fired, May
Wall and Counsellor Dean addressed t
crowd, and advised them to go home.
At half past two o'clock this mornil
the streets was nearly deserted, and no tea
of the riot being resumed, the military /
tired, and so the riot ended without bloc
shed.
ExHAUsTlNG Process. war in E