Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-18
.IEWe invite attention to the following com


munication to the Louisville Democrat II
sketches the proceedings of the mob party at the
polls in the Sixth ward on election day, and
makes out strong against the Know-no-
things. Colonel Hicks, the author Of this com
munication, is spoken of by the Louisville Demo
crat man of the highest credit and the purest
character, OH whose statements all parties may
implicitly rely.
From the Louisville Democrat,
MEssRs. EDIroRs believe statement Of the
dlsgraceful conduct which occurred under my
own observation, and in my ward, ut the court
house, on Monday, the 9th Of August, 1885, due
alike to all parties, but more especially TO all
good citizens of Louisville. Between four and
i've O'Clock in the morning 1 repaired to the
courthouse, for the purpose OF making some
arrangements to distribute tickets. The polls
were not yet open; ! passed through the lobby
out on the platform, on Jefferson street, and saw
upon the steps and III the yard some IL or 20 men,
nearly every one of whom carried club
loaded stick. / was not able to identify any of
these men, after close reconnaissance OF them.
The election proceeded quietly could be ex-
pected, until report was put into circulation
that the Democratic ticket was ahead in the
Filth Ward, and that 1t was close vote in the
Sixth Ward, when cry was raised, g More the
id Sag .N'ichiS! Dozen ioiM the Dutch and
Irish; Cd d-n them 20 In an instant several
citizens were knocked down, and run out Of the
hail. stood my ground, and saw officer Seaton
make some effort TO restore order, but saw him
make no arrests This outbreak occurred be-
tween the hours of 9 and 10 o'clock, a. IN. A
party of these DULLES took possession of the plat
form on Fifth street. went out among them,
and saw them offer yellow tickets to every man
who came up the stairs. If they were refused
some of the crowd would ask them who they
voted for; if for Morehead, well; if Democratic
or Clarke, they were moved knocked in the
head. | laid my hand upon the shoulder of one
OF these men, whom ! thought | knew, and in
CURED what was the cause of his hand being in
sling: to which he replied he had bruised it,
Judge my surprise when, in less than five minutes
thereafter, saw him knock down an lrshman
with the same wounded hand, and upon it Il pair
of brass knuckels.
A friend Of mine, and gentleman, called me
out and desired to know whether was armed to
which replied was not, nor had carried arms
but on one occasion in Louisville, within period
OF nearly quarter of century. He gave me
one OF his revolvers, and insisted upon my accep-
lance in manner which left no doubt upon my
mind of his friendship. This gentleman is
Know nothing and an honorable mani repaired
to the court house. Some three old gentlemen
inquired of me il they could get to the polls other
than through the dense crowd at the door of adj
mission, upon which directed them to the other
door, stating that several old gentlemcn from
age and infirmity had through the kindness
Of the door-keeper, been admitted-among whom
| named J. w. Breeder, Esq. After the admis-
sion of these entire strangers to me, rough look
ing customer, who had heard all that had been
uttered between these men and myself called me
to an account for it. He had yellow ticket in
the riband of his hat, and a club in his hand
From his language, | was convinced that he was
about to strike me. j stepped back and drew my
pistol, stating if he raised his stick one inch
would shoot him in his tracks. A young man of
good address threw his arm around his neck
stood between US, and backed the bully into the
crowd. shuddered at the idea, that in a mo-
ment more would, in all probability, have taken
life that / could not restore, and which act
would be to all time source of bitterness to me;
hence, returned the weapon, and went unarmed
the balance of the day.
| saw unoffendng men knocked down in the
court yard, and stoned off the yard fence by these
DULLES, and no attempt made to arrest any of
them, although / saw some of the police within
reach of the offenders. Such unprovoked and
cowardly attacks upon peaceable citizens, who
came to the polls to record their suffrage, trust
never to behold or hear of in future. The passes
to the polls thus fully taken possession Of
One stoutly built man assembled the steps, and was
met above-"How do you vote" | did not with
distnctness get his answer, when he was struck,
and staggered; got upon his feet, and passed
through the crowd, dealing out TO his ASSISTANTS
some heavy blows. He was soon overpowered,
and while in the act of throwing him the ban
nisters, Capt l.. Il. Rousseau ran up, grasped the
man, and saved him from further violence Here
permit me to say, from years of acquaintance,
have ever regarded Capt. Rousseau as highly
honorable and brave man; but never until last
Monday did | fully appreciate his noble worth.
His deods of daring throughout the day were most
worthy his well known character
From two clock until the close of the polls
received but one two votes in fact, may say
from the time the polls were taken in the fore
noon got but few votes. | gave yellow tickets
TO two whom believed to be my friends to carry
through the crowd. They went in, discarded the
yellow, and voted the Democratic ticket, for which
! saw them knocked down on leaving the court
house, and no arrests made for these outrages.
Between two and four clock, p. m, | called on
from thirty to forty of my friends, and urged them
TO 90 TO the polls, promising TO protect them, but
to no purpose. Most of these voters are by birth
Americans, and all respectable and orderly cit-
zens engaged in business There are (f am cor
rectly informed) some twenty-eight of my friends
on Jefferson street, between Fifth street and
Third, including three in the house of W. II.
Johnston, esq.,, also James Mccullough &C., SC,
who did not or would not vote, in consequence OF
the disorder at the polls. But the most inhuman
of all the acts of the day was reserved for the
afternoon. gang of rowdes had in keeping
and tow poor man all bloody taking him to
lail-for what otfense j know not. As they
rushed past my door ! went out after them.
When nearly opposite the southeast corner Of the
courthouse, a genteelly dressed foreigner, be-
lieve an lrishman, was coming up the yard. lie
turned out to give the pass TO the mob, when a
part Of them cried out "Move the id foreign
er - and in a moment he was knocked down and
beat almost TO jelly. One Of the demons cried
out for a Ratchet 10 cut off his head sc. One had
ptchfork, which some present stated he stuck
into the poor man. AS | promised William G..
Stewart, esq, the generous and humane lawyer,
having just come into town, ran into the crowd,
pushed them right and left, and cursed them for
set of scoundrels, sc. This was the most un-
provoked attempt to murder poor unoflending
man | ever behed
There were many more outrages committed,
such knocking down and kicking Mr.. Cudmore
into the door of my store, at which time Hon. w.
p. Thomasson was struck, in an attempt to rescue
MIR. Cudmore; an assault attempted on Mr..
Hampton, an honorable and good man, SC. As
! did not witness the origin commencement Of
these and other cases, leave them for others to
detail.
Permit me, in conclusion, TO say | pen the