The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-07-27

Inc report tneh eh'eIs uPou minute
and detailed s,a,emen, OF the proceedings
Of the mob in the evening, giving the de-
clara,ions Of the witnesses who where call
cd on to give statements respecting the
condition Of affairs, previous to the interior.
ence Of tho Militia. Tho declarations Of
these witnesses which show that somo 1900
or 1900 people were prescu, during the
riotous proceedings, and that tho Agency
was .nssailed with stones, and that efforts
were mado 10 force tho door, and that the
rioters would not disperse when requested
by tho police. Tho report, states further :
Such was the state OF affairs at the City
Hall, Ut the time the bells rang for FIRE, a,
about quarter past nino o'clock, viz:
A series Of repeated and violen, attacks
had been made upon the Agency apartment,
with heavy missiles:
Threats had been freely and londly utter
ed, accompanied with oa,hs and impreca.
lions, that the Agency room should be
broken open, and the liquors destroyed:
The civil officers had attempted to make
arrests Of rioters and had been violently re-
sisted, aud themselves put in peril
The city officers had by peaceful efforts
earnestly endeavored 10 prevent violence,
and had by their own efforts and the Sheriff
OF the county publicly, openly and repeat
edly ordered the crowd 10 dispense. But
all in vain.
The ringing Of the fire bells and the com.
ing in of the fire companies and the engines,
produced for short time diveriion Of the
rioters from tho apparent objec, Of their
coming together. The crowd was increased
by the occasion but rs these companies
drew off, the number Of active agents in The
riot and the numerous spectators on the
side walks, remained undiminished.
The attempt 10 throw suspicion upon the
Mayor for causing this false alarm to be
given, seems 10 DO wholly without founda.
ton.
II appears in recent testimony that the
order 10 ring the fire bells was given by
Alonzo Butler, one Of the policemen, with
out authority or the knowledge Of the May
or, or any Of the Aldermen. His object in
giving the alarm, was as he states, the hope
that il would draw off the crowd, or, falling
in that, that il would rally the friends Of or
der 10 the defence Of the city property.
A few minutes after 10 o'clock tho Light
Guards, Capt. Green, came down from their
armory, consisting Of about "a men, and for
med on the sidewalk on Congress street, in
front Of tho Agency door. They were pro.
cedcd by Sheriff Baker, the Mayor, and AL.
dermen Brooks and Carleton. The Sheriff
before the company formed, stood on the
sidewalk near the steps of tho Hall, and in
q loud voice, in the name Of tho State Of
Maine, commanded the crowd Immediately
and pcacebly to disperse. Tho Sheriff tes-
titled that he spoke in voice loud enough
10 be heard over the Square; tho gathering
he says was very large, and the appearance
of the crowd very bosterous, receiving his
order with loud noises, jeers and Kisses.
The company then formed as above de-
scribed, on which tho crowd rctreated from
the sidewalk TO the street. Mayor Dow
then spoke in loud voice and
commanded tho crowd to dispcrse, or
they would he fred upon. This order was
received with shouts, Kisses, boisterous and
profanc language, and renewed discharge
Of missiles against tho building and the
soldiers. This scene is proved by the tes-
timony of numerous witnesses, earle.
ton, who then stood by the Mayor-the
Sheriff, and others. Mr.. Della says, ~ cross.
cd over and spoke to the Mayor, and took
my place by his side. Before reached the
spot the Mayor spoke loudly and gave orders
to the crowd to dispense, and added, that
il they did not dipcrsc, they wonld DO fired
upon. His voice was drowned by noises
snd Kisses Us before. heard Capt. Green
say, Zone Of my men has been struck down
by brick,n ut the same moment bottle
struck tho bayonct Of soldier standing
next to Mr.. Dow, was shattered and fell on
the sidewalk.
Tho missiles continued to fly thick md
fast, amidst shouts and imprecations. Capt.
Green then said to tho Mayor, "you must
do something, as my men arc falling; two
men had Just then fell hit by stones. ~
Several others were wounded. Mr.. Dow
said, 1--WE will neglect II no longer, get your
company ready" Lilo then gavo tho word
to Capt. Green to fire, and Immediately re-
peated On order, "by sections fire." The
company paid no attention to this order,
expecting ono from their Captain. Capt.
Green then gave the word, "second platoon,
ready he hesitated, before giving another
order, and turning to the Mayor, said, "must
| fire, IL Is hard to shoot our own citizens"
The Mayor replied, await minute" Capt.
Green had been unwilling 10 90 before the
mob with so small force; he had expected
10 meet another company there. Mr.. Dow
informed him that another company was
comIning, and asked Capt. Green If he would
20 and meet them he asscnted, and they
marched Of, but or 10 Of his men follow.
ing, tho remainder, some wounded and
others discouraged, had rctrcatcd to their
Armory. -,
Mr.. Stephenson. cashier Of the Atlantic
Bank, says, after the Light Guards LEFT, al
saw q person who appeared 10 DO leader
and had been furious against the door, pass
me very fast down Elm ST., watched him +,
he picked up wha, supposed to DO q heavy
plank he was powerful man as judged,
as he carried the plank very fast py mo to-
ward the Agency, and shortly heard bat
terinc against the door and cries, now well,
do it, / heard distinctly, orders given,
which supposed W coWc rOtn 'nv hHenSy,
to the assailants 10 keep Of | heard one
voice louder than before, calling 10 tho
crowd TO como on, as the police were cow.
ards, and dare. not Gre; shower OF stones
then followed.
One man near the door about this time
shouted to the crowd, 'if you will follow
me, will 20 into tho building" A good
many persons responded, Ego ahead, we'll
back you up.
Mr.. Della, who had lclt the place where
he had stood for few minutes, now re-
turned and saw some men with piece OF
plank, and at that instant heard blow upon
the door, which was different from any
thing he had heard before, and seemed to
start the door from its hinges.
Mr.. Batchclder also states that as soon as
be saw the plank carried across the street,
he heard beating against the door and i'm
mcdiatly saw tho flash Of pistols in the A.
gency room. -,
and succeeded in making breach in the
| - l.,,,,or or sosh mart having been