The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-06-07
1HE PORTLAND, Me-, LIQUoR RIoT.-Ws find In
lhe Portland papers, full particulars of the recent
liquor riot and loss of life there SATURDAY. nigbt.

IHE PORTLAND, Me-, LIQUoR R1oT.-We find In
the Portland papers, full particulars of the recent
liquor riot and loss of life there Saturday night:
The commence neut of the Disturbances appears
70 nave been caused by the purchase of the liauor
y mayor Dog ana the transfer of the same to the
SHy agency by his casting vote at the meeting of
'ne board OF Aldermen on Saturday afternoon
Al 9 la O'Clock Saturday night, the different
pens In the city rung alarm of fire which proved
isise, ard the crowd returned in great numbers
stones were thrown by the crowd sgsinst the
aoor OF the rum shop by those outside. Some one
Loen appeared and attempted 10 read the riot act
hSing apoor reader, his attempt excited derlsive
| bursts of laughter
The police inside the rum shop immediate,
| y commenced firing through the door into the
crowd
gentleman standing near the steps at the en-
trance of DeeriDg Hall within two rods of the cor
her oil Probe street had his hat shot through the
oaIl grsZjng his head He had lust left his cffce
ana was On his way home up the street. walking
oetween two gentlemen, and had merely stopped
moment, on the outskirts of the crowd to see
what was going on. The shot was fred by those
inside the rum shop, and before the military open
ed upon the crowd. An incessant cracking of
single guns was kept up from :he inside, which
seemed only to exasperate the crowd, who treated
the whole thing with derision.
AT o'clock, Mr. Dow sent an order to the armo-
~ OF The Portland Light Guard, for them Bppssr
under arms. Capt. Cbas H Green captain of the
company, objected TO the course of proceedings
Mr.. Dow came into the srmory prepared with ball
cartridges, and commanded the men 10 load with
powder and balls.
About "a soldiers, with Capt Green, Lieuts Ken
dali and Sawyer, then marched down stairs. with
dr. Dow at their head, being himself armed with
heavy black club.
Capt. Green was then ordered by the Msyor to
order the company to fire. and the men, In obed-
fence to the word, took aim. The Captain how
ever, hes1tated and asked the Mayor if he should
hre The Mayor said, "stop moment" and the
order was couutermanded
The Light Guard did not fire on the crowd and
came back into their armory. After Capt Green's
Company had retired, the brickbats faw thicker
and stronger, and the police, who were aiding the
Deputy Marshal, who had seized the liquors to
guard them, commenced firing pistols charged
only with powder. A sort of sham ght was thus
kept up between the crowd, which had now
become more determined in it's character, and the
ponce, until about IL o'clock, when Mfr Dow, with
portion OF the Rifle Guards, under Capt Charles
w Roberts descended from the Light Guards Ars
| 'nory, and with the muskets of the Light Guards,
to the south side OF the City Hall. The doors of
the liquor store were then thrown open, and the
hrlns commenced, by MIR. Dowis order through
the store upon the crowd in the street upon the
other sice of the building. Soon after this Mr. Dow
came into the Light Guards armory. and wanted
their u1uskets tor the Of the Rifle Guard Capt
Green submitted the question to vote of the COM
| pany, when Mr.. Dow interrupted, saving he did
not request their arms, he demanded them
The hlhe Guard, with Capt Charles Roberts,
| (n0t Capt TrOnas A Roberts, of the Mechanic
| Bues), at their head, were then marched into the
srynory of the Light Guard, without their consent,
and took the guns that had been previously loaded
against the earnest pro.estations of the Light
| Guard,
| Mr.. Dow then asked how many of the Light
| Guard were ready to join with the Rifle Guard
Capt. 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
| 71d NN11kl ,i~t,
Without word of notice TO the crowd on Con
gress street. snd without showing themselves to the
crowd, Mayor Dow ordered the Rifle Guard to fire
| into Congress street
| The order to fire given so suddenly, that 90
one had any chance to escape from the range OF
their guns. Lieutenant P8tten, of the Rife Corps,
ran around the end OF the City Hall, TO give the
citizens notice of their danger. but before he could
| do this, the volley fired by the Riffs Guard swept
| across the street, by which five men fell
John Robinson Of Deer Isle, ID mate of the
| barque Louisa Eaten was shot through the side
the ball entering his left side. and coming out on
| the right. This young % years of age
! He arrived from Boston Saturday, and was about
| to be married 70 Miss Hudson, of Portland. He
| fell al the first fire, and carried to Dr. Clsy's
office, where he expired at once. -
| Thomas Mckinney was shot In the head and was
carried to the United States Hotel, where his
wounds were dressed. They were not thought tc
| be dangerous.
Thomas Robinson, young man In the employ o.
| 4
badly hurt that amputation will probably be ne.
cessary. He was sitting on box on the sidewalk
| In front OF the store of VIM. H Hyde In Clapp't
new block on Congress street John Mahoney was
shot through the leg, and was placed in The care
| Mr.. Durgin. Patrick Mcguire was shot through
| the chin and his jaw broken. Seth B. Hilboru, ar
old citizen of Portland, 20 years OF age, wound
| ed by the thrust of bayonet 1t il rumored thai
Simeon Huston was mortay wounded, and that
others were more less hurt, whose names We
could not gather. How many men reipjured it ia
| impossible at this time to say.
| The laws OF Maine, says The State of Maine,
| from which the above account is derived, do not
permit magistrate to give an order to military
company to fire on the people
THE INsTRUcTIoNs TO COMMODORE McCAULEP.-
! The following extract, from Commodore McCau.
| leys instructions, embraces their gist:
"Fhe President nssructs me to say to you that i
any officer in command of ship of war be presen
| when outrage of the character heretofore men
toned is perpetraied on vessel rightfuy bearing