The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-04-16
Fruits OF Know NOthin9ism.

In addition to the brief summary which
we published Saturday, of the recent riot
in Cincinnati, this morning we lay before
our readers a detailed account from the
papers of that city, every one of which
unite in condemning in the most unqualified
terms, the conduct Of the Know Nothings
in instigating the riot. The following is
from the Commercial independently
Outrage upon the Polls. Burning OF the
Tickets. Tally Sheets, and Poll Books
OF the Twelfth Ward.
A fierce excitement ragged through the city
yesterday afternoon, in consequence of O ru-
NOR that the tickets, tally sheets and poll books
of the 18th Ward had been destroyed by the
mob. BY most persons it was discredited,
and innumerable stories found currency. Men
protested they had witnessed the destruction,
and others declared that they had Investigated
the matter, and that there had been no mob
that the story was founded upon the burning
of the tickets subsequent to counting them.
We proceeded with care and perseverance to
look into the facts, and visited the ward where
the outrage was stated to have been commit
ted.
We found the stl Get in front of the engine
house where the twelfth ward elections are
held, deserted, and everything wearing quiet
appearance. We experienced much difficulty
in arriving at the exact TRUTH but are assured
that the following statement is correct:
The Know NOthings were the first on the
ground on Monday morning, and elected their
judges, with on exception. The following is
list of the officers at the city and township
polls:
A. Il. Williams, S. l.. Snodgrass, - ks
sane, Harry Winton and Henry Eskel, Judges.
Eskel is German; the others, we were in
formed, acted with the Known othings, and
whether members of the order or not, were
considered by outsiders to be identified with
it.
The clerks, whose names We learned were
Thomas Scott and Thompson Biles, both
american Reform"
We are informed that the election passed
off quietly, or as one Of our informants ex-
pressed, "there was only Dutchman knocked
down once in while, a d that didn't amount
to much, you know-the general proceedings
were peaceable.'
No demonstrations of violence occurred du-
ring the night following the election, and the
Counting of the ballots was proceeded in with
out molestation until about l o'clock yester-
day, at which time all the ballots cast, twelve
hundred and sixty,) except three.
At o'clock mob OF. near four hundred
persons suddenly collected, appearing on the
ground in squads Of thirty, forty, and fifty
men, and gang of perhaps thirty entered the
engine house and snatching the tickets, poll
books and tally sheets, thrust them into the
stove, where they were consumed, then run up
the American flag over the tower of the en-
CINE house, chez red repeatedly and retired
There was no fight, no struggle-the audacious
act was performed i'm an instant, and there
were few spectators besided those engaged in
the work of destruction, and the clerks and
judges.
As for the story of illegal voting which
was the ostensible cause of the outrage-that
was not believed by any person in the Twelfth
Ward with whom we had an opportunity OF
conversing. And if it was true, that "Ameri-
can Reform" judges and clerks are responsible
for it. From every Gil cumstance one can
learn of the affair, it appears to have been
coolly calculated and utterly unmtigated.
There never was more wantOn and hOrri-
BILE dissertation than the hosting of the star
spangled banner by the Twelfth Ward mob
over the scene Of their unparalleled outrage.
In the very smoke Of the ballots the flag of our
country flOated fair and beautiful - and the
mockery was enough to sicken the very hearts
of all good citizens. .f.t
Soon after dark there was ON immense gath
ering of people in the fifth street market space.
A slight platform was erected, and several
speeches made. We did not hear Gen. Sar-
gents remarks. They were pronounced econ
ciliatory by friend who did hear them. He
is reported to have said that the cannon would
be taken from the Germans by correct author
ity, and not by mob violence.
Thos. Spooner, Esq, addressed the multi
tude, earnestly, advising q quiet dispersion.
The speakers were earnestly advising quiet
dispersion. The speakers were constantly
interrupted by the cries of those who were
anxious to "pitch into the Dutch" Such ex-
pressions as "eome on-go along-why don't
you 60? 60 if your going" necessarily
and loudly vociferated.
In the meantime the Germans fortified them
selves most fOrmidably, erecting three strong
barricades Of wagons, carts, drays, and what
ever vehicle or available material they could
manage to get hold of. These were erected
one across Vine street at the crossing of
Fourteenth - one across Walnut at the eros
sing OI MERCER, ana the Otner AT the junction
of Mercer and Vine.
They had two pieces of artillery crammed
to the muzzle with chains and slugs, and plan
ted one in Mercer street, and the other at the
corner Of Fifteenth and Vine. The Halls of
the Freeman and Turner's were crowded with
men armed with rifles, ready to march out at
signal. The house tops were lined with
men provided with all description of fire arms,
and with boulders and bricks. Sentinels were
stationed, and the German portion of the
town thus placed absolutely ina state of siege.
1t was near ten o'clock when body of reck-
less Americans, about four hundred strong,
with drum, fife, and banner crossed the Vine