Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-05-04

bridge to the railroad.-Upon the
West side Of the Street. line had
been formed. by Dutchmen armed
With muskets and occupied in going
through several evolutions and exer-
cises. They filed the sidewalks. and
pushed the American citizens who
were passing along the street, using
the muzzles of their guns as argu-
ments. In the Lager Beer Saloons
other parties were engaged in loading
their guns, and preparing apparently
for fight. Nothing could exceed
the insolence. and brutality. and thirst
for revenge manifested by these Dutch
men.
The Mayor, learning the condition
Of things, sent orders to the military
companies TO be ready to act at mo.
ment's warning. The mob continued
to increase and the excitement TO grow
higher until about 4 o'clock, when
took place the battle at the corner of
Clark and Randolph streets.
As usual in such melees, parties
who were not engaged in the fight
were injured. James II. Rees, Esq,
who was crossing the street just as the
firing took place received a ball in his
head, passing through his hat and
knocking il off, and just grazing the
scalp so ms TO cause blood TO. flow.
j. II. Kedzie. Esq, was arguing a law
case in DeWolfs Office, on the corner
Of Clark and Randolph streets, and .
bullet from one Of the guns passed
through the Office window and grazed
his forehead, infliclinga slight abrasion
Of the skin.
The fight was still kept up on the
corner, several shots were fired and
and the persons firing arrested by the
Police, some Of whom were terribly
beaten. The small police force by
great exertions resisted the mob, unit!
reinforcement arrived, when the
crowd Dispersed.
MILITARY ORDERED OUT.
The Mayor at this point sent orders
for the Light Guards and Nat. Guards
to turn out, and also sent orders for
Col. Swift's Flying Artillery. The
mob, ignoarnt Of the approach Of the
soldiers, had reasscmbled on Ran
dolph street in front Of some "large
beer" saloons. The police began dis
arming them, but they resisted, some
times innicting serious injuries on the
officers.
One man on being ordered to give
up his bludgeon, answered by striking
the officer severe blow on the head.
The officer closed In with him. knock
cd him down, and was about dragging
him off to the watch-house, when he
in turn was knocked down by n blow
from villain who came up behind
him. A general melee ensued, in
which the police, now in strong force,
were triumphant, some four or Eve ar
rests being made. Most Of the per.
sons taken at this time were pursued,
and either shot or knocked down be-
fore they would surrender. Every
man captured was heavily armed. eth
er with swords or long. sharp knives.
or pistols, in addition to their clubs
The swords and knives were all newly
ground aud quite sharp.
In half an hour after tho fight, the
military reached the ground, and the
Guards were ordered to clear the
street. which they did at once. In the
course Of an hour after the arrival OF
the first company the. National Guards
and the Light Artillery arrived. The
common were placed so as to command
the two streets.-the muskets were
loaded and the bayonets fixed. The
streets were clear, but the Germans
still held the "large beer" Saloons
The officers. after some resistance. en-
tered them, and arrested the inmates,
who were all heavily armed. Crowds
still gathered, but on the proclamation
Of the Mayor that the city was under
martial law, and at the solicitation OF
the officers. they dispersed. AT seven
O'Clock the military held the ground
ready for war. Patrols guarded the
streets and kept them clear.
AT Q o'clock, areport was brought
from the North Side that the Dutch
were collecting and arming with the
avowed intention Of coming over to
force the defences of the Court House
murder the Mayor, rescue the prison
ers, and play the mischief generally.
But by this time heavy extra police
force was sworn in, and warm re-
ception prepared for the rioters
They probably dread, d the encounter
Cor they gave up the project.
There were many exciting rumors
current during the rest Of the night and
on Sunday, but except occasional ar
rests, there Mas no disturbance.
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