Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-04-09
cias,nnati Election Riots.

Having access TO the Cincinnau papers
we have been enabled TO CLEAN theretrom
particulars of the terrible riots which oc-
CURED there during the few days succeed
ing the election OF last Monday. The Ga
s.i.e the old, staunch and most eliable pa
per thus gives IFS origination
"The manifest disposition in the Eleventh
and Twelfth Wards, whose voters princi-
pally speak the German language, to allow
no native born citizens to vote or remain
on the ground without exhibitions OF their
national psejudices, and indignties in man.
ner and TO persons, gave offence to the MI
norty, and hence ensued hot blood and
angry conflict, which resulted IN excesses,
and finally the destruction Of the ballot box
and tickets of the 18th Ward polls"
The same paper thus chronicles the pro-
gross of the disturbances and, as it had sew
eral reporters on the ground, We presume
its version is entirely reliable -
The down town portion Of our citizens.
after nightfail, repaired to fifth st. market
place, where they expected to learn what
steps would be taken, particularly as TO the
Sheriff obtaining the brass gun from Ger
man control. Unfortunately on these oc
casions the thoughtless, turbulent, and
demagogueical, use populaHassemblages for
acts OF folly, or appeals to violence. Sher-
if Brashears and Gen. Sargent again
counselled all persons to dispense, and await
the action o. the committee, appointed by
them to accommodate as 10 the delivery Of
the gun
A squad of boys and half grown men,
with fie, drum and flag. marched up and
down our streets, cheering and grooming at
intervals. They marched up Vine street,
" here the Germans were in force, and were
fired on from windows of houses. Three
or four persons were shot Rumar says
some were fatally wounded, others slight
".
This news spread abroad, again started
the crowd toward Vine street bridge but hav-
ing no defined object in view, and they hav
ing no leader, nothing was done up to 10
O'Clock T.. NJ
While the American people were talking,
the German people were working. Head
ed BY DR. Geo Fries, they prepared breast
work across Vine street, near Freeman's
Hall. Drays, wagons and carts were plae-
ed in great numbers along the sidewalks
anu across iHf sLEtelss tilNtFfoIhct w itA GdCH
other, into s'cheudar de triSs."
Behind this entrenchment, extending
up the street for great distance, were per-
haps 5000 people, armed with stones,
sticks, bludgeons, revolvers, muskets, car
bines, rifles, slung-shots and all the vari-
Gus instruments of offensive and defensive
warfare.
They were on their own ground, and full
Of ardor and desperate determination. They
were erecting projections at each cross
street. Patrols were parading in trent, TO
observe and give warning. The Sarsfeld
Guards and some Of the German military
companies were withinthe enclosure, ready
10 dispute the approach of the Americans.
Irishmen, also armed, fraternized with them
and seemed to make common cause, as il
the Catholic Church had sent for her adher-
ents in anticipation Of mischief. We heard
OF none intended, and We deem that the
adopted citizens have been misled by such
bad advisers as DR.. Fries. We hope that
to-day the best advisers OF both parties
may be calledo on to iatersose against iurth-
er violence.
Since the above no further outbreak has
disturbed the que, Of the city and the Ger
mans and Americans are again peaceably
returning TO their daily avocations.