Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-28
The Riot in Chicago.


A correspondent of the Detroit Advertiser gives
the following account Of the late foreign riot in
Chicago:
The city to-day has been the scene Of bloodshed
and excitement, such as | hope never again to
witness. The license question, which has been
the mooted question for the past week, was the
cause The new Council, recently inaugurated,
having placed the price of license at SO high a
figure, the smaller groggeries revoted, and large
number of suits had been commenced and were
pending the liquor party contending that, under
the recent passage of the Maine law by the Legs-
lature, all other laws were repealed, consequently,
they could sell until the new law took effect, with
out license.
The Germans appeared to be the beseging party,
and in consequence of few arrests this forenoon,
began to assemble in large numbers this afternoon
armed with clubs, revolvers, guns, and other war
like implements.
It was apparent lager beer was in the ascendant
and consequently, brains deficient particularly in
some of the more ignorant. Assembling in great
numbers around the City Hall, whore the prisoners
were confined, the crowd increased to the number
of several thousand. Randolph and Clark streets
were completely blockaded by dense throng.
The police of whom the Mayor had added large
force of extra men, were on the ground, and as
arrests were made Of those Germans that were
noisy or armed, the excitement increased. About
3 o'clock the riot commenced more seriously, when
guns and revolvers were used, and shooting in
earnest became the order the police many of them
were armed with revolvers and in the heat of the
fracas some six or eight were shot, some Of them
seriously. A policeman named Hunt, was sobadly
wounded in the arm and shoulder by the discharge
of q gun by German, that amputation was neces-
gary. The wounded were conveyed to the Court
room where surgeons and physicians were immedi.
atey called and an hospital established. was
unable to ascertain the names of those wounded;
but, from the thousand rumors, think they are
mostly from among the Germans. Two are said
to have been killed. but of this there conflict
ing reports. Some of the wounded cannot recover,
a great many of the by-standers were more or less
Injured; and how many it is impossible TO say with
any certainty The police acted heroically and the
arrests continued Notwithstanding the bloodshed.
As the news of the attack flew through the city,
thousands focked to the scene of disturbance.
Four military companies were soon on the ground,
and warke preparations became active. I've just
returned 10 P. NJ from the scene of action-two
six Founders loaded with canister and well manned
are stationed in Randolph street. the headquarters
Of the military Sentinels with fixed bayonets and
loaded muskets and six rounds of ball cartridge in
their boxes surround the City Hall building, where
are located the jail, police Offices, &c. Officers ON
horseback, are to be seen accommodating and con-
veying orders to different parts of the city, and
things wear the appearance Of a beseged citadel.
Fears are entertained Of outbreak tonight, and
i il should occur there win be great loss Of lives
as the military will fire at the least outbreak
When il viii end God only knows. The riot act
has been read to crowds in different parts Of the
city, and the Mayor has issued instructions to ar
rest all boys out tonight or unruly persons. Elk
ira police patroHng the city in every direction.
From the windows in the vicinity Of the City Hall
crowds are watching the movements Of the militia
~ and crowds Of persons, and matters wear an
unpleasant aspect.
On the next day quiet was restored, although
the troops were under arms during the whole Of
Sunday.