The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-15

IL any thing was 10 be done, not moment
should be lost, (; tina, the police could no,
hold on, five minutes longer, but would fall
a sacrifice TO the fury Of the mob. The
Light Guards were then called on, TO Join
us, and one Of them fell into our ranks with
two or three other citizens who came for.
ward and volunteered 10 take muskets,
when we marched down, sending forward
a warning Of our coming.
We filed down the steps into Middle ST.,
and entered the doors ofihe Agency on that
street, and one Of the Guards was struck in
the forehead and badly hurt, as we entered.
The voice Of the Infatuated mob outside
and at the door on Congress street, drowned
every other sound nevertheless they were
warned that they would be fred upon, and
three or four volleys Of four shots each were
fred. The gas was then lighted in the
store by which the persons there were ex-
posed 10 the missils ofthe mob, and to pro-
iect the members ofihe Rife Guards and
the police from being struck by these, they
were drawn on, Of the building into Middle
street, the door being open, and the mob on
Congress street was warned that any per.
son attempting 10 enter would he fired upon,
the mob having broken open the doors,
which they had been barering for more
than two hours. The mob and the armed
force maintained this attitude for a consider-
able time, an occasional stone being hurled
through the building from Congress street
But the greater part Of the mob Withdrew
soon aler, and the remainder were driven
OIL, ofihe streets by the bayonet. The firing
OF the Rifle Guards was AT five minutes past
IL o'clock, ard the building was attacked
as early as hall past eight.
Information was brought 10 me by sever
al persons tia, the mob had retired with
loud ,hrsais, and with the intention OF pro-
curing arms and OF returning to The conflict.
Messengers were Immediately despatched
in different directions with instructions TO
visi, the haun,s and purieus ofihe rioters,
and 10 bring instant intelligence OF any APP
pearance Of a new gathering and in The
meantime we hastily prepared Tor any fur
Their duty which might deyolve upon US.
Bot the scouts returned with the report that
all was quiet.
Very soon after the firing from the build
ing, the police made arrests OF persons who
had been active in the riot, and attempts at
korcibIe rescue were made by the mob
One man. physically powerful, collected a
squad Of followers and way laid three police
men who were taking rio,er TO jail, but
the police arrested him and dispersed his
followers by exhibiting their pistols. do
not hesitate TO characterize this mob as
more determined and ierocious, than any
other by which this city was ever disgraced.
I learn from undoub,ed sources that the
mob spirit which had been gathering form
and force for month before il broke out,
and lha, il had been stimulated and fos,ered
by men Of influence whom we may be vet
able TO connect distinctly with it, The
project had been known in this city early
in May, in Boston two weeks before lis ex-
ecution, and il was reported in Saco, North
Yarmouth, Gorham and Paris, on the morn
ing Of that DAY, rs ! am credibly Informed.
The ringleader OF the mob, who lost his
life in il, was strong and muscular man, a
sailor, and had leli Boston day or two be-
fore TO avoid arrest; and learned on relia
BILE authority, tina: he was engaged IN the
King riot in this city, about five years since
He engaged in this tumul, deliberately
having spoken of ii in the afternoon, add
having refused the advise 10 keep away
from il.
In conclusion, have only 10 add that all
the members OF the police, withou, excep-
lion, from the beginning TO the the end Of
the affair, were perfectly cool and collected,
betrayIng no symptom OF being Hurried
and the same is true OF the commander and
all the members OF the Rifle Guards. Ev-
eryihng on the part Of the authorities,
which occurred under my notice, was done
with deliberaiion as well as with firmnesS
and decision.
II that iuluTiated mob had accomplished
their first object, they would have become
mad on the liquors OF the Agency, then SET
ting fire 10 the remainder would have de-
s,royed the City Hall, for that purpose was
ayowed-lhen, none but God can know how
lar Their passions would have driven them.
regarded il as the duty Of the authorities
to uphold the majesty OF law, and to sup
press at any hazard, the ierocious mob
which sOuch, TO overthrow law ard order,
and TO let loose upon US all the horTcIs oil
anarchy and riot.
II the authorities had permitted them
selves 10 have been oyerthrOwn and crush
ed by the mob, without employing all the
power which the law had put into their
hands FOE the suppression OF tumulis, they
would have shown themselves TO have been
unworthy the confidence and respect Of
those who had placed the government o.
the city in their hands.
NEAL DOW, Mayor
Read
Attest, WM. BoYD. CITY Clerk.
CITY OF PORTLAND.
In Board Of Aldermen,
June IL, 1885.
! Ordered, That the report OF the Mayor,
Of The transactions OF June ID, which has
been read at this Board, be adopted and
published rs true history OF the Occult
rences Of tina: day and night, and ,ha, il be
entered on the city record.
Read and Passed.
Attest; WM. BOrD, City Clerk.
THE PARAMOUNT Issue. We must keep
up oil Temperance organizations--all Coun.
ty, Town, and Ward organizations. We
must keep IN the habit of voting. Many