The daily Minnesota pioneer., 1855-08-20
THE LOUISvILLE RIOT.
Particulars BY an Eyewitness.

Louisville, Aug. :, 1855.
Eds. INDIANAPOLIS SENTINEI.-It is with
feelings Of deep modification that sit down
to deteail the horrible scenes of yesterday
If what / witnessed is a fair specimen of
Americans ruling America," then the elective
franchise is mockery, and liberty an empty
delusiOn. - .-.. .., .-.-. ...--.
The Know Nothing blacklegs and profes-
sional gamblers, who are ell members of the
order, had bet largely on the result of the elec-
tion. To win their bets by fraud and violence
hundreds Of armed bullies were transported to
the city. Their plans were concocted in the
Know Nothing lodges. Their signs and sig.
mails are all understood, and during the terrible
day they were faithfully and too promptly ex-
ecuted
On Monday morning at o'clock, the place
Of voting in the lst and 9th wards, which are
the strong Democratic precincts, were taken
possession of by the Know Nothings A few
OF the old democratic citizens in these wards
were permitted to vote in the morning, but
all others who were unable to give the signs,
were rudely thrust from the polls.
This state of things prevailed to greater
or less extent in all the wards. If an Irish
man or German attempted to approach the polls
he was driven back with bloody missiles. Ma
tive born American citizens, who were unable
to give the proper signs and signals, shared
| the same fate.
To entitle the citizen to the privilege of
voter, he must, to use the Know Nothing
slang, be right on the goose question"
BY 10 O'Clock, the city was under the con-
troll of lawless mob-neither life nor proper
ty was safe.
At this crisis Hon. VIM. p. Thompson,
formerly Whig member of Congress from
the city, and gentleman Of high character
and standing, mounted the rostrum and i'm
plored them as good citizens, to desist from
such q course. He had, however, spoken but
few moments, when the Know Nothing sig
nal was given, and he was instantly knocked
down by club, in the hands of some assassin
who approached him in the rear.
About this time Col. Preston, the Anti
Know Nothing candidate for Congress, ap-
peared at the lst ward, which is the large
Democratic ward, composed chiefly Of German
natIralized citizens, and requested his friends
not to attempt to vote. He stated that the
polls were in the hands of Know Nothing bull
lies, that his friends could not approach the
polls in safety, and advised them to retire
peaceably to their homes and submit to dis
franchisement rather than endanger their lives.
The result was that out of $500 votes in the
city. only $500 were polled Two thousand
democratic voters were by violence deprived
of the right of suffrage.
In the afternoon, fight occurred in the
first ward, which ended in the discharge oil
firearms, and the death of several persons
The Know Nothing mob then commenced
tearing down the business houses and private
dwellings occupied by Germans.
A rush was made for the Catholic Church
and the cry, "Fire their damned popish den, u
rang out. The Mayor appealed to them, and
the mob desisted. They then made rush for
the large Brewery owned by German citizen
and after tearing out the inside and distribut.
ing the beer they fired the building, and it was
burned to ashes.
The Know Nothing fire companies appeared
on the ground, but did nothing except to car.
ry off the beer and ole casks. But the most
terrible scene occurred in the lower part OF
the city,where the Irish population principally
reside.
About six o'clock in tho evening the Kow
Nothing bullies, armed to the teeth with mus
kets and a large brass cannon, under the con.
troll of Capt. Stone, proceeded to that part OF
the city,
Every Irishman that made his appearance
was assaulted and beaten. The groceries in
that vicinity were broken in, their contents
scattered over the streets, and liquors divided
among the thirsty crowd.
A general fight ensued, shots were fired from
houses that were being stoned, and number
on both sides were killed and wounded.
The building on both sides Of Main street
between 10th and 11th were fired. Every
Irishman that showed himself was shot down
Here followed o scene which neither tongue
nor pen can describe. My heart sickens at
the recital.
Men lying dead in the street, women who
carried out bedding and household goods were
assaulted, and their agonizing cries for mercy
were met by mocking groans of derision and
contempt. l saw poor Irish woman with an
infant hanging at her neck, trying to save her
burned. The Know Nothing fend crying in
drision to her, "W orship the Pope, will your
"Well learn you that Americans will rule
America 1t is impossible to tell the mum.
Der killed. one man was hung and FIVE burned
alive.
About IL o'clock, the signal was given to
demolish the Democrat and Times printing of.
fees. A rush was made, but Prentice think
ing it was time to stop, appealed to them to
desist, which they did after bursting the win
dows and burning the sign of the Times Of
| fee.
At about II o'clock move was m ,de for
the German part of the city, and as retired
fire was raging in that direction.
have not learned this morning the result
of their doings
This is specimen Of "Americans ruling
America" If this is toprevail then there
is co security for life, liberty or property.
During the scenes of riot and bloodshed in
the 9th ward, no attempt was made by the
Know Nothing Mayor to arrest the mob, or
prevent bloodshed and murder. No attempt
was made by the police to arrest any one
Peaceable citizens were shot down and their
murdercrs permitted, with loaded guns. to
stalk around in search of more victims,
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