True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-05-01
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eigners Of the lowest class, armed with blud-
geous, and headed with drums and flies,
marched to the front of the building, where
the Court was in session, and began hoop
ing, yelling; beating their drums, and de-
nouncing the license law. They complete
iy blocked up the sidewalks and crossings,
and exhibited very riotous conduct. The
Marshal Of the city soon appeared, and or
dered them to clear the street and side
walks, and disperse. lie was met by a
positive refusal. A few policemen coming
his assistance, he again ordered the streets
cleared, and proceeded to arrest some of
the ringleaders, who we're bidding him de-
fance, and harangueing the mob to stand
their ground. This was the signal for
melee. The Marshal and several Of his
aids were, in the first rush; knocked down
and severely beaten. A large number of
citizens came to their assistance, and "pitch-
ed in sonic with their canes, others with
their fists. A posse of day watchmen, con-
stables and deputy sheriffs arrived very op-
portunely, and the fight became general.
The Leaders correspondent says he had
beautiful birds eye view of the whole bat
tie, at distance only fifty yards. Men
could be seen fercely struggling by the
score. The heavy blows on the head, by
clubs; could be distinctly heard. Men
fell every moment. In some places two
Or three of the rowdies could be seen beat
ing one policeman, in other parts Of the
crowd, as it.swayed backwards aud forwards
a Stalwart "star' would be knocking down
the rumnlics right and left, having half
dozen about his feet at once.
Aftera sharp struggle of five or ten min
utes the Law and Order men gained the
battle. The ringlcadcrs of the rioters
were rapidly seized and rushed into Jail,
which stood close by the battle field. The
drums were captured and their heads stoved
in; the drummers were thrown into prison;
and the brunt Of the battle was over. A
large number of vanquishcd beat retreat
into drinking saloon near by. In there
the Marshal and lis posse rashed and sci
zed half n dozen Of the rioters; ashort fight
ensucd; bloody heads and bruised faces
emerged and were marched across the square
into prison.
During this fight twenty-five or thirty
persons were injured-some severely, one
reported fatally. Twenty arrests were made.
Daring the Afternoon the report spread
that the free whisky boys were organizing
and arming for another demonstration. -
And sure enough, about 4:30 p NJ. large
procession, chiefly Germans, came pouring
down Randolph street, from the "North
Side" and halted in front of the Court
House, on the former battle ground. Some
fifty of them were armed with muskets,
the remainder with pistols, knives and
clubs. 3 3
In the meanwhile, the Marshal had sworn
in twenty special policemen, and was pretty
well prepared to give the whisky boys a
warm reception. AS soon as they blocked
up the sidewalks, he ordered his police to
clear them, and the second fight immediate
ly began. We happened tocccupy our old
position and could see all that was going
on below
Bludgeops swung in the air, and descen-
ded on mems heads. The crowd fought,
roared and swayed to and fro, on much
larger scale thau at the first fight Every
few seconds as the sharp crack OF musket
loaded with buck shot, could be heard, and
In an instant al'er the person nring itWouuid
be knocked down by the police and drag
gea into JAIL several OF 'he snotS TOOK
enecf' anu p'''eli'el Policemen were wounded we
saw one oi the h stars shot ID the SIDE while
engaged ID q nana-'o-nana ngnt Win a large
r1oter Inc mlscreant tnatshot MN drop
PED bis weapon and ned. a citizen pursu'
| ed him, and after sharp race came close