New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-18
DESTRUCTION OF CIRCUS TENT.

One Of those moral curses known as Circus, now
travelling in Canada, was mobbed at Toronto on Fri
day night The Coon,st gives the following account
OF the row:
como Of the most disgrsceful riots that ever &C.
esed in this city, took place on Friday night last he
circumstances of which have taken trouble 10 as
certain accurately, and they are as follows Howe's
Monaeere and Myers and Madgans Equestrian
Troupe jointly exhibited aud performed in this city,
on the vacant space near the JAIL on the evenings oil
Thursday and Friday. On Thursday night arrow oc-
cured in house of l-nme little west of the old
Hospital on King-st, in which two or three OF tina
circus people concerned. Two young men
named Fawcet and Fraser, who IL rs said be-
long 10 the Hook ard Ladder Company in this
city, were seriously injured, one of them getting
his jaw broken in two places, from the blow OF de-
cantcr. The parties who inflicted these injuries wero
those connected with the circus and consequently tho
friends of the sufferers vowed vengeance the whole
establishment. From the inquiries we have made, wo
have uscertaned that the friends OF Fawcot and Fra
ser were busy during the whole OF FRIDAY preparing
for al attack the circus establishment IN the even
ing. Every endeeyor was made to collect such
force as would if possible, overawe both The CIRCUS
people and the police and allow the mop 10 DO Jus, as
Il pfef sed Indeed have heard from several that
they were aware Of rot being contemplated several
hours previous to that at which the performance
commenced in the evening Ii also appears, as was
stated by Constable McCai@y In hls evidence at the
Police Court, that certain system oil acton was de-
cided upon. Symptoms Of the riot were quite per-
copiibe during the hours Of performance, but no
regular attack made upon the promises urii tho
audience had departed. II was then that some one
commenced TO cut the canvas with knife and n
most violent demonstration was made by yells and
shouts. The employees OF tie circus armed themselves
with such weapons as they could lay hands upon, sal
licd ont in a body and made Gle rance. aud gain
return ell under the The police here 1t SCENE,
made a feeble attempt 10 arrest some persons, but
we're prevented by the mob. About his time we be-
lieve Il was that Joseph Bird member OF the Hook
and Ladder Company, r. eeiyed blow Of an iron bar
from ore of the circus men, and had 70 be ton home.
A pisol-shot, understand, was also fired by ono
Of the party assaled The next step OF the mob was
10 make an attack on one OF The wagons, which
they pulled away and tumbied over the en-
bankmebt into the bay. They then attacked the
ticket wagon which smashed into pieces with their
axes and set Oh fire. His Wonhp tue Mayor had pre-
viously Leen sent for by Mr. Yale, OF the mana
gers Of the company and be arrived on the spot
AVID endoayorod to quel the disturbance. lie advned
the circus TO lay down their weapons and consid-
or Themselves rs prisoners, and he would doeYory-
thing in his power to protect them 10 which request
they Immediately Welded, sitting down togeth-
or under the tent. His Worship then expos
tulated with the mob outside and entreated OF
them TO cess; but his Efforts although successful ia
one quarter were defeated at another. lie managed
however 10 rescue two men belonging 10 the company
who were set upon hy the crowd, some OF whom
shoutcd out kill them knock them down. &c,
and whom he sent off in cab 10 the Police station
The work of destruction still went on. When the
tcketwagOn was get on fire, some OF the MOP pro-
ceeded 10 the ST. Lawrence Hall about IL clock and
caused the fire alarm to be rung, which pro-
cooding. rost likely preconccrted, had tho effect
Of bringing the Hook and Ladder wagon and
several OF The engines 10 the ground. Amh demon
lac wells and the darkness Of tho night, relieved oniyby
The dim light Of the burning vehicle, the hooks were
euped 10 the RI aims and ropes OF the pavilion and TO
the cry Of this way, rackers, IRON tho nageaders,
the work Of pulling down the canvas commenced:
While this part Of the proceedings was going or several
attempts were made to fire the tent but the operation
was not successful until all pulled down. when tho
wardrobe which was now ard everything .hat couni
he laid hold Of wns-tbrown into the fire and Destroyed
The Police Of whom there thirteen the ground,
were with the exception Of Chief Constable Sherwood
and Constable McCanTey, either unwilling or incepa-
bic Of rendering the Mayor any efectual assistance.
Mr. CouncilmGn McConkey, who reached the ground
late was extremely active and with his aid aud that
Of three four Others, the Mayor was fortunately
succts sful in preventing serious PERSONAL coh-oni
although he frequently obliged 70 throw himself
between the assailants and the parties attacked
After the tent was destroyed the mob rushed
t0wnrd the carayons Of Wild beasts, Of which
that OF the cameleopardD, they backed toward
the smcs but the Mayor and hs sistauts rescued u.
His Worship III ally addressed the excited popuiaeo
from the roof OF one Of the wagons, pointing out to
them the shamul character of Their proceedings and
after some time they began 10 disperse. As soon a.
be found the Inc thciency Of the police, his W)rsnp
had sent of for the enrolled pensioners; b1dy OF
whom amounting to thirty or forty, under Colonel
TuliOcb, marched on TO the ground ABOUT
o clock, at which time the disturbance had wholly
ceased. On saturday morning NE t"O ucn VINO
were rescued by the Mayor were examined at the
Police Office but no accusation being brought against
hem and il being understood that Birds injuries
rot OF serious character they discharged One
Of he circus party, It seems kicked and beaten
in 20 serious manner as to prevent him leaving the
city on Saturday with his companions, who now,
hear, al Brampt0n, awaiting the arrival IF new
tent, &c, from New-York. Myers, one of the pro
pnetors, who was TIE sry implicated in the assault
on Thursday evening, on sawcet and Fraser, is now
in custody, having been arrested at Brampton on
Saturday.
Not the least dscredabse part of this Transaction
Is the difficulty which "a found in discovering the ring
leaders. AZ IA the case Of the late fire Church-st.
the police .rofss their entire ignorance of the parties
concerned although the riot lasted for nearly for two
hours. The Mayor, Aid. Duggan and AID. Smith
peD. some time on Saturday in endesvoring 20 tracs
TIE offenders, but without effect. Further Inquiries
Gre IN progress; and we are assared that possn'a
ustice will be done