Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-07

Bloody Liquor Riot NJ Portland, Me-
Neal Dow Ian the Rum Trade-Hfs stock
Seized.
The Portland (Maine) papers bring US full ac-
counts of the unfortunate liquor riot in that city
on Saturday night, growing out Of the opposition
to the purchase Of some 81 900 worth Of liquors
by Mayor Neal Dow, for the use, he said, of the
city agency. Mr.. Dow, it is alleged, made the
purchase in New York, ON his own responsibility,
and, by bringing the liquors into Maine, it was
contended he had violated the Maine law ;" as
the transfer to the city not made until three
weeks after the purchase, and not Until after
warrant had been issued against him for the in
fraction of the law, and then only by his own
casting vote in the Board of Aldermen. While
the aldermen were in session the liquors were
seized by an officer, and here commenced the ex
element.
Quite little crowd stood about the door where
the liquors were stored, and in the vicinity. dur
ing the remainder Of the afternoon, but perfect
quiet and apparent good natcre was observed.
Soon after seven O'Clock crowd began to collect
about the deposit Of the liquors in the CITY Hall
building, and gradually increased until a little
after nine O'Clock, when cry of fire was raised.
as we understand, by Mr.. Dow's order, and the
bells rang, with view Of diverting the crowd
from the spot 1t 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 began to diminish.
Occasionally during the evening, stones and
brickbats were thrown against the door Of the
liquor stone, breaking the glass and sashes, and
otherwise injuring the door. This was done. SO
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 Charles III. Green,
captain OF the company, objected to the course Of
proceedings. Mr. Dow came into the armorv.
prepared with ball cartridges, and commanded
the men to load with powder and balls
About twenty-four soldiers, with Capt. Green,
Lieutenants Kendall and Sawyer, then marched
down STAIRS with Mr. Dow at their head, being
himself armed with heavy black club. This
had the effect to rally the crowd, and to greatly
increase the excitement and i'll feeling, and when
ordered to disperse, commenced Kissing and
grooming 49,
Captain Green was then ordered by the Mayor
TO order the company to fire, and the men, in
obedience to the word took AIM The Captain
however, hesitated, and asked the Mayor if he
should fire. The Mayor said-s'Stop moment"
and the order was countermanded The Light
Guard did not fire OH the crowd, and came hack
into their armory. Soon after this Mr.. Dow came
INTO their armory, and wanted their muskets for
the use OF the Rifle Guard. Captain Green sub-
mitted the question to vote of the company.
when Mr.. Dow interrupted, saying he did not re-
quest their arms, he demanded them
The hifie Guard, with Capt. Chas A. Roberts
ut their head, We're then marched into the Armory
OF the Light Guard, without their consent, and
took the guns that had been previously loaded
nli- ~ I
Guard. s"'
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 Rifle
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 Rifle Guard
to fire into Congress street.
The order to lire was given SO suddenly that no
one had any chance to escape from the range of
their guns. Lieutenant Patten cf the Rifle corps.
ran round the end Of the City Hall to give the
citizens notice OF the DANGER but before he could
do this the volley fired by the Rifle Guard swept
across the steet, 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 % years, re-
ceived ball under his chin, which passed out
through his cheek, breaking the jaw-bone in its
passage.
Thomas Robinson, worthy young man, nine
teen years of age, while sitting on box near
Clapps block, on the opposite side Of the street,
was struck by ball on the inside of the right
ankle, behind the joint, the ball shatterinp the
lower end of the tiba large bone Of the leg and
passing out at the instep.
Howard Dcnnson, young man residing on
flart tr or -. l. n.
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 twenty
head.
young man, by the name of Frank Millikcn,
received blow from a brck-bat in the face
making severe wound; also, un apprentice Of
Mr. Felt, and young IMAM employed at the Uni
ted States Hotel, were slightly wounded by bull
lets.
John A. Poor, esq, his way home from his
office, passed, IN company with two other gentle
men, in front of the Clapp and Deerng block.
and just before reaching Preble street a bullet
passed through his hat, but did no injury. There
were several other similar hair-breadth escapes
After firing for awhile, the soldiers charged BAY
onets through the streets and made several wan
ton and rude arrests, though none were attempt
ed in the early part Of the evening when thew
elderly gentleman, received severe bayonet
wound on the hip, while trying TO get out Of the
way as fast he could.
The .argus comments with severity upon the
course OF Mr.. Dow in the execution OF the liquor
law, which, Il alleges, has excited much hostile
feeling against him. II expresses the belief that
the purposes Of the people assembled was only TO
spill some of the liquor which they believed to
have been illegally obtained, and that, if he had
not appeared with the military, no serious harm
would have been done.
The representations Of the Advertiser in rela-
ton to the riot show different state of facts IL
alleges that the parties concerned in il were re-
peatedly warned that persistence in their vio-
lent conduct would subject them to peril, and
that they were not fired upon until after the door
of the room in which the liquor was stored had
been broken open. The man killed was the
leader of the mob, and melted them to the most
violent measures.
GRowTH OF LrFE.--A scientific and observing
Frenchman, M. Flourens, assumes that the growth
of man ends at twenty, and that this maturity, as
in all animals, should be multiplied by FIVE, to