The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-05-15
From the Boston Daily Reel
Great Riot at Chelsea, Massacha setts!
Catholic Church partially demolished

Catholic Church partially demolished
The town of Chelsea was the sense of ire
mendious excitement and riotous proceedings
yesterday afternoon and last night.
The affair proceeded, primarily, out of the
preaching, or attempt at it, Of "Angel Gabri-
ei' Orr the trumpet man.
| 1t appears that Orr had preached IN Med
ford, and came down TO Chalsea in the after
noon in a Elk nurse team, for the purpose of
holding forth. When near The Fifty Houses
Ian Irish village) Orr ordered his team to
stop, when he launced his peculiar doctrines,
which were SO distasteful that his hearers
returned stones, bricks, and other missiles for
his logic and gospel. This was quite too hot
and he "drove on" to East Boston, a crowd
of several hundred persons following him.
about to commence q service; the authorities
fearing a riot, iLteriered and gave him the
option of leaving or going to the locksp. lie
chose the former, and proceeded again to-
wards Chelsea. When half way between
the two places he halted and proceeded 10
discourse.
The excitement during the interim had
continued to increase, and hardly hac he
were hurled at his head. This was both dam
gerous and unpleasant. lie accordingly
drove on to Chelsea, stopping near the Cath
Ollie Church.
- Over a thousand persons were here COL
lected, and symptoms of a riot were visible
on every side; nor we're these without In ear
ly fulfilment. In few IT. oments stones were
thrown at the Catholic Church, the windows
OF which cracked merriy. This increased,
and before many minutes the windows oil the
building were entirely demolished.
This was resented on the part of the Cath
olics, and general row ensued. Over three
hundred persons, as we are informed took
part in it. and the air whired with stones,
brickbats, clubs, &c.
. The authorities of the town rallied, but
were unable for the time to accomplish
much.
During the heart of the riot the cross up
, on the Church was pulled down, and fractur.
. ed into a thousand pieces-sn act which ex-
ceedingly exaspera,ed the Catholics; fact
which was sufficiently indicated by n renew
ed and augmented storm of furiousy proPell-
ed missiles.
Night now come on, and the battle decreas-
ed, but not before several attacks were made
, upon the Church.
During the riot the following persons were
arrested:
Patrick Collins James Donahoe, Philp
Closky, and his wife Cafharine, who fought
, like tiger, and franklin Hurley. Further
. arrests were in progress during the even
ling.
Fearing that as midnight approached the
riot might be recommended, as squads Of Irish
gathered by hundreds in the public ways,
, Deputy Sheriff Rugg orcercd the Chelsea
Light Infantry, CaptiFellows, to hold them
selves in readiness for active and immcdiai e
| service. The Company were accordingly
put under arms, uniformed and equipped with
ball cartridges, &c. The gallint corps re.
sponded bravely. AT nearly twelve o'clock
when our reporter left, they had not been
called upon to suppress any further riotous
demonstrations, though from the movements
of the bodies Of squads, il was expected their
service would be put in active requeston be-
fore morning.
Orr was conducted to the boat shortly af-
ter dark, and came over to the city, unframed
> so far as we learn.
Some fifty Irish men and women were
D more or less injured.
i il 10 almost miracle that no person WINS
killed, in view of the ferocity Of the riot and
the deadly weapons used.
D Such demonstrations are significant at the
present time, and are suggestive OF coming
events which il is painful to contemplate.
1t was expected that the Church would be
' burnt during the night. A constabulary force
had been placed in guard over it, to prevent
if possible the threatened confagration.
Some 1900 persons from Boston were pres.
ent during the evening, as spectators. 90
> The persons arrested were taken to the
e lock up. The Irish gathered round the build
: ing, for the purposes, rs is supposed, of lib
d Grating the parties within. The appearance
of few uniforms appeared to cover the mob,
t ard it dispersed.
Excitemcnr at East Boston.
Last evening. there having been an np-
u pearance of riotous demonstration, TIVE Dty-
six watchmcn were detailed to proceed hence
> l-thirteen from the Center, and thirteen
. from the North Watch house. Several
: hundred persons had collected round the lock-
up where man was confined.
The mob Qrish) threatened to release him
by force, which was prevented by the timely
= arrival of the above posse. AT mid night the
: crowd dispersed. A watch was placed round
the Catholic Church, least it might be fired.
H. = "a. A. IL l..