The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-04-06

Ol'e- man hufed ana fCe U0unded-Bdrrl- |
cades Erected in the Street orer the Canal
the Germans Prepared for Terrible
Excitement throughout the City.
From the Cincinnati Commercial April, 4th.l
| A difficulty between the Germans and X.
Me- occurred yesterday, regarding cannon.
The rumor that caused most excitement
down town, was that the Germrns had load
ed the cannon, and proposed to use it against
the Americans. Gen. Sargent, we are told
made an effort to get the cannon into his
possession, but failed, and in the afternoon
great crowds collected in Vine street. Be-
tween three and four O'Clock the street was
thronged from the canal bridge tothe foot cf
the hill. There were four crowds, each Of
which might have been styled an immense
mass meeting. Two of these were of Ameri.
cans-on the bridge; the other couple of
squares higher up-and the other two were
Germans.
The sidewalks were thronged, and thou
sands of women and children looked on from
the windows. The aspect of affairs was
decidedly warlike. The Americans were in
a state of excessive excitement, and seemed
resolved to have the cannon at all hazards.
Passing up the street we saw unmistakable
evidences of preparation for a desperate
contest. Pistols were being loaded publicly
Nearly every German was armed. The
[ handles of pistols protruded from their pock-
cts, and many had swords by their sides.
We met party of about dozen sturdy
fellows, carrying rifles, upon the tubes of
which the glistening Of percussion caps show
ed that they were prepared for active service,
and to the rifles were attached sabre bayo-
: Matchmaking altogether terrible weapon,
at once rifle and spear. The German
4 women kept up constant chatter, in which
the words "Know Nothing" and Democrats,
were frequently dstinguishable.
The street, viewed from the upper portion,
appeared black with men as far down as the
eye could reach, and through the dust. above
the dense throng of hats, the flash of steel
. was at intervals preceptible, Meeting a
3 German acquaintance, he informed us that
9 the halls of the Firemen and Turner'S, were
q. each filled with men armed with rifles, who
n swore to defend the disputed cannon to the
It last gasp.
Returning near SHUTDOWN the street W as
even more densely filled. The Sheriff with
q view Of removing the cause of difficulty
was endeavoring to get possession of the
e gun which was the immediate cause of con-
tention, and no resistance was made by the
German officers, but the multitude pressed
Il
E toned, so that it was entirely impossible TO
get it away, and the Sheriff left the ground
on receiving assurances from Capt. Moore,
and other German officers that the gun
!. should not be improperly used, and should
be surrendered to the proper authorities at
any time. --.s
= Soon after dark there was an immense
gathering of people on Fifth street market
eli nj .ffn nd
!, several speeches made.
In the. meantime the Germans fortified
themselves most formidably, erecting three
!, strong barbados of wagons, carts, drays, and
h whatever vehicle or available material they
!, could manage to get hold of. These were
o erected-one across Vine street at the cross
ing Of Fourtsenth-one across Walnut at
the crossing of Mercer, and the other at the
junction of Mercer and Vine.
They had two pieces OF artillery crammed
b to the muzzle with chains and sings, and
planted one in Mercer street, and the other
at the corner of fifteenth and Vine. TIE
. Halls of the Freemen and Turner'S were
q crowded with men armed with rifles, ready
r to march out at signal. The house tops
!. were lined with men provided with all
, descriptions of fire arms, and with boulders
: and bricks. Sentinels were stationed, and
a the German portion of the town thus placed
absolutely in a state Of seige.
!, 1t was near ten O'Clock when body of
. reckless Americans, about four hundre d
! strong, with drum, fife and banner, crossed
y the Vine street bridge, and with gay music
!. marched steadily into the German territory
: They had proceeded nearly to the first barri-
cade (parties Of half grown boys being in
q front as skirmishers, throwing stones at ev-
cry appearance Of Germany when they were
:. fired upon from the front each side and the
house tops. We imagine from the sound Of
the volley that near fifty shots were fired.
|. One man was killed dead, and FIVE wound
r ed seriously, one, it was thought MORALLY
= The one killed was named G. B. Monroe, a
n resident of Indiana, who was stopping at
n the Farlow House. He was shot through
e the head and dropped lifeless. The corpse
IL was taken to the Bremen street station
i house and was there some time before it was
recognized. He was at the head of process
:, sion. One of the wounded was thought to
: be dying at midnight, but we could not learn
re his name or place of residence.
:. William Grey, cooper, residing on
n Third street between Mill and Stone, was
r. struck by two slugs, one of which passed
Is through his left hand, and the other lodged
"a ly but lives with his mo ther.
0. man named Boggs, living in this city
4 was hit in the throat with a musket ball
I'd which drew some blood but did not inhict q
lie dangerous wound. He returned talking
ID loudly and may not be considered in peril.
John Coleman who resides in Seventh
opposite Smith, was shot i'm the calf of the
leg-not considered dangerously. .-.
q, Patrick Dorey of Covington was wounded