Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-14
From the Louisville Courier.
The Reign of Terror-LouisvilIe Und.
Mob Law.

The Reign of Terror-LouisvilIe Under
Mob Law.
Fall Particulars Of The Election Riots Houses
Destroyed List Of Killed HoY7id Butcheru,
&C., &c.
At none of the places of voting, save the Sixth
ward, was there any unusual degree of disorder
In fact, there was but little opportunity for fight
ing, as the polls in every ward had been taken
possession OF by hnow-nothings, and though,
with the exception of the Sixth, they used no
violence to hinder any one in the exercise of the
right of suffrage, they did that which was worse
Every possible obstruction was thrown in the
way OF those voting who were not recognized as
know-nothings. Large croicdS tcere stationed al
The entrance TO shore back Preston uoers tuhi side
and back doors prOuided for Marshall men, In
this pay, unusual facilities trere extended 10 the
.4rnerican party, beng in itself an outrageous
course Of action, cih full completely in lchich ,re
charge The knolo-nothing officers Of the election.
In the Sixth ward, one of the most quiet and
respectable in the city, foreigners were driven
from the polls and then beaten for presuming to
do that which the Constitution grants them
About the Courthouse there was stationed dur
ing the day party of worthless bullies,. who
dsgraced the city by their demoniac yells and
acts Of rufianism.
The first severe fighting occurred near the cor
ner OF Shelby and Green streets, about II clock
in the morning. In this Germans, Irish and
Americans actively participated. The foreigners
were worsted, and several Of them, taking refuge
in house, had to escape the rear way with bro
ken bones and bruised bodies This partly sub
siding, German fred his gun at a carriage in
which lady and gentleman were riding Another
man was also shot while driving along in his
buggy.
Intelligence was Immediately communicated to
the Lafayette and Kentucky engine houses and
instantly force was armed, and marching to-
ward the scene of the reputed outrages. Going
80 tlaxllx. - II.
became wild with excitement, and when they
reached Green street were painting for blood.
Here il was that while the preliminares Of battle
were being arranged the Americans received a
volley of shot, and then the engagement followed.
In this first shot officer Williams was peppered
with small shot; Joe Sewage received ten shots;
Frank Stout was shot slightly in the arm and
md side: William Richards received charge of
snall shot Unfortunately over his body; Yard
Morr slightly injured and William Atkin-
son received several bad wounds In the Same
melee Mr.. Ether was wounded by ball that
crushed the bones in one of his legs, rendering
amputaton necessary for the safety of his life
Having dispersed the Germans, the mob imme-
diately went to work dcmolshing the corner
coflee-house, kept by Chris. Mem The win
dows and doors were broken in, the counters and
shelving demolished, the furniture smashed up,
and the inmates forced 10 flee. In short time
this army of Vandals, receiving constant armed
news was spread, took up its march, stopping
next Mt Conrad ktzle's corner of Walnut
and Shelby, who was sitting in his house quietly
enjoying his pipe and beer. His neighborhood
had not previously been the scene Of any disorder,
and he had particularly abstained from going on
the street during the day No attention, how
ever, paid TO Mr.. Kitzler's good behavior.
The properly for which he had aboriously worked
nearly demolished, his furniture cut in
pieces and tho lives Of himself and family threat
encd.
At this point a fight occurred in the street, in
which German, residing on Shelby and Mad-
son street, was killed and several injured M |
Saatkamp, n German baker on Walnut street |
received several severe cuts in the head Having
finished the work Of destruction al poor Kitzler's
the mad mob rushed further out Shelby street. and
had nearly reached tho Catholic church which
they proposed sackng and burning, when Mayor
Barbee appeared in tho crowd. His efforts at
pacihcation were for some time Ruthless, but at
last he gained the multtude's attention, went
and examined the church, reported " no powder
found, " and then having assured them that they |
had won the election, ordered them, under the |
command Of Captain Rousseau, TO return TO
their respective wards. With much trouble |
Captain X. marshaled the large force, and coun-
termarched 10 the Lafayette Engno-house, the
rioters as they returned, knocking down signs
and breaking windows.
Peace was but partially restored in that section |
when cannon, fully manned for action, followed |
by fifty men, armed with muskets and bayonets
came up the street at furious rate. This party,