The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-08-17
THE LOUISVILLE RIOT.
AFFIDAvITs ABOUT oRIGI

nal American) which says many of them are from
foreigners who are also Catholics The Couriel
(Anti Amsrican) publishes nothing and the Demo
crat (aDti American) publishes statements which |,
"has from reliable and truthful authority :"
THE AFF1DAvITs.
First comes one from VIM. Sowders, sworn be
fore notary public, and another from John T..
Trice, also sosworn, testfying that whilst quietly
sitting on the curb stone, about o'clock P NJ. at
the corner of Tenth and Main streets, On the 9th,
three Irishmen passed by and soon came back
again, and commenced firing on some Americans
there cougregated, who dispersed, and they both
afterwards saw shots fred from several of the win
dows of the houses In Quinns row, on the
north side OF Main street saw a man down on
the pavement. Theodore Rhodes,) who was kill
ed after which some 20 shots were fired from
a house kept by man named Mcdonald, &C.
Richard Marsh, 1S years old, testi6es that the
three Irishmen came from McDonald's grocery,
and adds:
As they returned, and when passing through
the crowd, suddenly one of the Irishmen brushed
against one of the crowd, and think, then, some
one struck at him, and without word one of the
lrishmen commenced firing revolver, and then
the whole three commenced firing, and shot at
least twenty times each of the Irlshmen had a
pair of ravelvers, and they returned back to Nc
Donald's grocery, where they came from there
were a number of Irishmen standing In and near
the door of McDonsld's grocery:
We give the following In full, az of the most I'm
portant of the sffiiavits
Michael OConnell, on oath, says reside on
the corner of Chapel and Main streets, Louisville
and keep there grocery store. On the 9th of Au
gust, inst, in the afternoon, Theodore Rhodes and
David Doueherty came TO my grocery they were
my acquain'ances and friends. They informed me
that there were drunken men going about this part
OF the city, and better close my grocery. did
30 at once; as closed the doors they left and went
on the sidewalk; as they left my doors some one
fired from the opposite side of the street from the
house OF MIR. Mcdonald very clever man, and
who believe knew nothing of IT, Rhodes fell
when the shot was fired, and died soon after.-
Dousherty was also shot, but l did not see that
Dougherty and Rhodes were quiet and perfectly
sober. They neither did nor said anything to give
offence to any one They were peaceable and
clever, well behaved gentlemen Rhodes had Just
shaken hands with my wife at the door before he
was shot,
Immediately and at once after Rhodes was shot.
about II shots were fred from the same house In
quick succession. The shots took effect In my
house, and are now to be seen by any one; one Of
them struck me In the right leg. When these shots
were fired saw no disturbance and heard of pone
aud there was not the slightest cause for IT, that
can imagine, and but for these shots believe
there would have been difficulty or disturbance
at any rate they were the beginning, and am sure
the cause of what afterwards occurred / am an
MICHAEL o'CoNNELL.
Subscribed and sworn to August 9Th, 1855
o. FL. STRATToN, Notary Public.
l, Joanna O'Connell, wife of Michael, ON oath,
say-I have heard the above affidavit of my hus-
band read and know the same is true, and adopt
and make it part of this affidavit
JOANNA O'CoNNELL.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, August 9Th,
1855 o. II. SrRArToN, N. P.
State Of Kentucky, Jefferson county, set:
This day David Doughsrty states on oath, before
the undersigned, q justice of the peace for said
county, that, on the evening of Monday, August
9th, 1855, about or O'Clock, Theodore Rhodes
and himself went to the house of their friend, Mr.
M O'Connell, an Irish grocer, corner of Main and
Chapel streets, In an office of courtesy; having
rendered the friendly duty stepped out, intend
ing TO go home, but almost instantly Rhodes was
shot down mortally wounded and myself shot In the
shoulder, arm and side-both Of us by an Irishfnan
armed with double barreled gun, from the oppo-
site aide of the street. in the passage way of j. Nc
Donald's house Previous 70 this there was DO
mob, no crowd, no difficulty, and but few persons
on the street. The shots were az unexpected as an
earthquake; 1t was utterly unprovoked on our
part, either by word or gesture. There was up TO
that time nobody shooting or knocking down uu
or down the street, SO far az could learn or see
Whilst talking with MIR. OConnell, was near
the front door, and must have heard and seen apy
hustle or disturbance on the street in that imme.
diate neighborhood. DAVID DoUGHERTY
Subscribed and sworn TO before me, this 9Th dav
of August, 1855
SAMUEL MArLAcK, JP.J.C.
Basil Rhodes on oath says: | am the father of
Theodore Rhodes, who was killed on Monday even
ing, 9th inst, at Main and Chapel Streets reside
at the corner of Main and 1lth streets. Chapel In
between 10Th and llth streets. About O'Clock P.
NJ, of that day was sitting at my door, when |
heard the report of fire arms and on looking nm
main | saw my son Theodore fall at Main and
Chapel. In an instant | heard twenty or thirty
shots fired Ia rapid successiop so quick as to seem
to be a volley. The shots were fired from the
north side of Main. My son was on the south side
of Main when he fell | could see him distinctly
he raised his head and was In reclining position
when | saw a man run from the north side of Main
TO within ten or twelve feet OF my son and delber-
ately shoot st my son three times with a revolver
when my son fell back and did not move again -
The man ran at once back TO Quinn's row, whence
he came. This all occurred 10 a moment. | had
him, but the firing from Quinn's row was very
rapid, and did not for moment or two approach
my sons body. | saw he was dead, tor he did not
move after the man fred his pistol at him. AT
this time there was no crowd In the street, and NO
disturbance but the firing above named. "a saw no
crowd until some time sfter. ! removed the body
of my son, and while SO doing heard other reports
Of fire. arms. and looking around saw young Ora.
ham fall He died 10 q few minutes My son had
q family. He was shot In the neck and Ia the fore
head. Graham seemed to be coming towards me
when he tell. My soD was a very tall man, and
wore broad brim white hat, and was easily re-
cognized at the distance was from him. While
reclining he seemed to beckon with his band to
q
man In bis habits. He was very quiet, pesceabe
and iuofensive, as think. Up to this time there
bad been no disturbance on Main 10 that part Of
the city. B. RHODES.
Jefferson county, Sct.:
Subscribed and sworn to before me- Angus. l0h
1855. J. ]. DexIEn, Examiner.
Lester l. Parker testifss in addition a. to Rhodes
follows:
Rhodes had 10 his hand carpet sack. have
known him for fourteen or fifteen years we'll, and
nd had nj a
very sober, hard working, industrious man. He
was also man remarkable tor his pescesble and
quiet disposii!on; | never knew or heard OF his
quarreng or fighting Ia my life He was man
OF family. The firing was very brisk and rapid !;
at least some thirty shots were fired In minute
or 60; the flashes from the windows OF McDon-
aids house assumed the appearance Of . sheet OF
naine. AT the tine there was no crowd OF per-
sars IN the street; q few persons were passing
along the street, and very few there was no dis
iatbance there at the time, aud considerable
assemblsee for twenty or thirty minutes alter
wards. few shots were fred u NeDonald's