The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-19
THE SCENE IN THE PARK.

Yesterday afternoon the gathering in the Park
somewhat more numerous than previous occasions,
doubt by the disturbance in Brook
lyD last Sunday, and the and knock. downs that
took place between the Know Nohngs and the Irishmen.
The Chief of Police, Mr. Matscn, anticipating dis
turbanco had in readiness all day large posse Of police
ready to que any breach of the peace that might
hal pen to take place.
About three O'Clock woman named Margaret Bishop
asccnded the City Hall steps and succeeded in drawing
together audience Of some 400 PERSONS who listened
somewhat attentively to her discourse.
At four o'clock the Angel Gabriel not being present.
of his followers took the place of Mrs Bishop and
begun preaching about the grand fight that would
and frotestsnts, commenting rather severely
upon the propriety of Roman Catholics ac
knowledging the Pope as tho head Of the church.
During his attacks upon the Roman Catholic clergy, and
all connected with that belief several fights occurred in
which women and children unceremonously knock
cd down and trampled upon The Chief of Police and
Judge Beebe were very active In erretng out the leaders
any individual, whether ho was Know Nothing or for.
egner officer despatched In citizens clothes after
the ocious gentle man, who usually and in fact
all occasions arrested and brought into the Chiefs Of
Zee, before he well Of the fact In this way
large number OF arrests made, the parties COM
mtted being about half Of those Who to all appear
ance, were Know Nothings, and the other half drunk.
en- rsbmen The latter party showed evidence OF hard
usage the hands Of the former and few were without
black eyes and bloody TIE affair altogether
disgraceful IL nothing but continued of
rowdysm and street brawng The least alarm created
panic, and the signal for general rush to the
indicated by the shouts Of those who happy
In being of that uncnvable head dress called
.Wiee Awakes." Several Of the leaders in ssrushcs"
the Chief OF Police whose preparations the preven
ton quellng of any riot serious disturbance,
truly admirable, and deserve the commendaton Of all
Al about four o'clock City Judge Becbe entered the
Mayors Office, from the window of which full view
could be taken Of the people crowded in front Of the City
Hall, listening to the preacher addressing them. The
Judge took his position a the window, and scarcely had
he been there fifteen minutes before he observed several
ing in very dsorderly manner tending to incite riot
One OF these young men the Judge took particular
%% We Ts
appeared to be leader In all the disturbances From
the position the Judge occupied at the window he
enabled to overlook the crowd, and having witnessed
several disturbances produced by this sWide Awake"
chap and his the Judge directed the Chief
Of Police to arrest him forthwith The Chief DESIGNATED
ceeded in front Of the Hall in plain citizens dress not
the shoulder, saying, al want to see you on one
sde." The young man supposing that the Captain
Know Nothing, and wished to impart some plan for
the destruction OF Catholic Irishman walked OF
few steps from the wd towards the Chiefs Office when
The Captain informed him he officer, and wanted
him to go into tho Mayors Office This announcement
startled Mr.. Wide Awake, who found that he had
been caught mapping" He resisted but the Captain
produced from his pocket short CLUB and intiated tha
resistance would only the OF on bis head me
prisoner ihen called out wide awake which seemed to
be ther ralJing cry they rushed TO his ala out ans
too late, before they could understand the moycmcn
Mr. Wide Awake lodged In the Chiefs Office and con-
Quoted before Judge Beebe Several witnesses were now
produced who oil pointed ont the prisoner Al the leader
Of te pang Judge Beebe asked the prisoner his name
The lreply wass-"JoseIh Knight am clerk IN the
ehasham square Post once and an Americana and 60 In
for the freedom of speech.u The Judge thcn said -
~ have been observing your conduct. for
some time past this afternoon, and have witnessed
your acts Of violence There not the least necessity
Tor any interference for the protection Of the preacher