Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-07


scruples and sensibilities of Post Office Police
man.
have the honor to be, your Obedient servant
II. WARREN NOISE.
To 9. CUSHING, Attorney General,
Washington city
The Liquor Riot at Portland, Maine.
The Portland Me- papers bring us full accounts
of the unfortunate affair in that city on Saturday
night, growing out of the opposition to the pur-
chase Of some 81 900 worth Of liquors by Mayor
Neal Dow for the use as he said Of the city agency.
Mr.. Dow, II is alleged, made the purchase In New
York, on his own responsibility, and by bringing
the liquors into Maine, 1t was contended he had
violated the "Maine law as the transfer to the
city was not made until three weeks after the pur-
chase, end not until after a warrant had been
issued against him for the infraction Of the law,
and then only by his own casting vote in the Board
| of Aldermen. While the Aldermen were In ses
sion the liquors seized by an officer, and here
| commenced the excitement. We quote now from
the Portland Argus:
Quite little crowd stood about the door where
the liquors were stored, and in the vicinity, during
the remainder of the afternoon, but perfect quiet
and apparent good nature was observed. Soon
after o'clock, crowd began to collect about the
deposite of the liquors in the City Hall building,
and gradually increased until little after o'clock,
when a cry Of fire was raised, az we understand,
by Mr.. Dow's order, and the bells rang, with a
view Of diverting the crowd from the spot. II had,
however, contrary effect, and greatly increased
it. for time as the engine companies were brought
from both extremes Of the city to the centre, in
| Market Square, where the crowd was assembled.
They, however, soon withdrew and the crowd be-
4 gan to diminish.
Occasionally, during the evening, stones and
brickbats we're thrown against the door OF the
liquor store, breaking the glass and sashes, and
otherwise injuring the door, This was done, 80
| far as we could see, by boys. The police inside
| the rum shop, however, Immediately commenced
| firing through the door into the crowd.
| AT nine o'clock, Mr.. Dow sent an order to the
armory Of the Portland Light Guard for them to
appear under arms. Captain Chas. II. Green, cap
tain Of the company, objected to the course ofpro-
ceedings Mr.. Dow came into the armory, prepared
with ball cartridges, and commanded the men to
load with powder and balls.
About twenty-four soldiers, with Captain Green,
Lieuts. Kendall and sawyer, then marched down
stairs with Mr.. Low at their head, being himself
armed with a heavy black club. This had the eff
feet To rally the crowd and to greatly increase the
excitement and Ill feeling, and when ordered to
dispense, commenced kissing and groaning.
| Captain Green was then ordered by the Mayor to
order the company to fire, and the men, in obedi-
ence to the word, took aim The Captain, how
ever, hesitated, and asked the Mayor If he should
| fire. The Mayor said-"Stop moment" and the
order was countermanded. The Light Guard did
not fire on the crowd, and came back into their ar
| mory. Soon after this Mr.. Dow came into their
armory, and wanted their muskets for the use of
the Rifle Guard. Captain Green submitted the
question to vote of the company, when Mr.. Dow
interrupted, saying he did not request their arms,
1 he demanded them.
/ The Rifle Guard, with Capt. Chas. A. Roberts at
their head, were then marched into the Armory OF
the Light Guard, without their consent and took
the guns that had been previously loaded, against
the earnest protestations of the Light Guard.
| Mr. Dow then asked how many Of the Light
Guard were ready to join with the Rifle Guard.
Captain Green put the question to his soldiers, but
none of them fell into the ranks. The Rife Guard
were then marched down into Middle street, Mayor
Dow at their head, and marched in double file into
| the city shop.
/ Without word Of notice to the crowd on Con-
gress street, and without showing themselves to
the crowd, Mayor Dow ordered the Rife Guard to
| fire into Congress street.
| The order to fire was given 30 suddenly that no
one had any chance to escape from the range of
their guns. Lieutenant Pstten, of the Rifle corps
ran round the end Of the City Hall to give the ct
| zens notice of their danger; bnt before he could
do this the volley fired by the Rifle Guard swept
across the street, by which five men fell.
George Robbins as heretofore stated, was the
| only man killed He was the mate of the bark
Louisa Eaton.
Thomas McCarty, hostler, aged 20 years, re-
ceived ball under his chin, which passed out
through his cheek, breaking the jaw-bone in its
| passage. ~
Thomas Robinson, a worthy young man, 10
years Of age, while sitting on box near Clapp's
block, on the opposite side Of the street, was
| struck by bali on the inside of the right ankle
behind the joint the ball shattering the lower end
Of the tbia or large bone Of the leg, and passing
out at the instep.
/ Howard Dennison, young nun residing on
Atlantic street, was struck by pistol ball in the
front part Of the arm. The ball penetrated to the
bone, passed round without breaking it, and bu-
ried itself in the muscle at the back Of the arm.
Thomas McKenny, young man about 20 years
| old, was eighty wounded by bullet on the head
| A young man by the name Of Frank Milliken,
received blow from brick-bat in the face, max
| ing severe wound; also an apprentice Of Mr.
| Felt, aud young man employed at the United
States Hotel, were slightly wounded by bullets.
John A. Poor, ESQ, on his way home from his
Office passed, in company with two other gentle
men, in front Of the Chpp and Deering Block, and
| Just before reaching Preble street bullet passed
through his hat but did no injury. There were
several other similar hair-breadth escapes. After
| firing for awhile, the soldiers charged bayonets
/ through the streets and made several wanton and
4 rude arrests, though none were attempted in the
early part of the evening when they ought to have
/ been made. Mr.. Seth HDborn, an elderly gen
| tleman, received severe bayonet wound on the
hip, while trying TO get out Of thewsy as fast as
| he could
The Argus comments with severity upon the
| course of Mr. Dow In the execution of the liquor
law, which, 1t alleges, has excited much hostile
feeling against him. II expresses the belief that
the purpose Of the people assembled was only to
spill some Of the liquor which they believed to
have been illegally obtained, and that II he had
not appeared with the military, no serious harm
| would have been done.
Further Particulars Of the Maine Law
| Riot In Portland.
From Special Despatch TO the Boston Daily Times.
PORTLAND, June 4, p. M.
An Is quiet at present, though knots Of people
are gathering around the City Hall. All, however,
are talking calmly upon the late extraordinary pro-
ceedings.