Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-06-09
LIQUOR Riot in Portland.

The Mayor of Portland, Me, anticipating
the action of the City Council, recently purchas-
ed 81 800 worth of liquor for the City agency,
but the liquor remaining on his hands several
citizens entered complaint, and Warrant
was issued for seizure, when the Mayor called
a special meeting of the Aldermen, on Satur-
day afternoon and vote was passed to pur-
chase it for the city.
About 10 o'clock, on Saturday night, noisy
mob assembled about the building used as the
City Liquor Agency and attempted to break
into it and destroy the liquor. The police
attempted to preserve the peace, but failing to
do So the crowd became more threatening, two
military companies were at last called out.
At late hour the mob broke into the build
ing, when the military, drawn up on the oppo-
site side fired volley, killing Ephralm Robbins
of Eastport, second mate of the bark Louisa
Eaton, of Portland, and wounding several
others. some of them severely. squad OF
the Rife Guard then charged with bayonets,
and the crowd dispersed One old gentleman
who was said to be quietly on his way home
| received severe bayonet wound A few
arrests were made Another man is reported
dead.
BOsToN, June 4-The Portland papers of
this morning furnish some additional particulars
of the Liquor riot in that city on Saturday
night. The attack upon the building where
the liquor was stored was made chiefly by boys,
who threw stones and other missiles. Mayor
Neal Dow soon after appeared upon the ground,
armed with sword, and closely followed 10y
the military companies whom he had ordered
out. The appearance of the Mayor and
military exasperated the crowd, and they were
received with groans and Kisses. The Mayor
then ordered the infantry to fire, but the
captain refused to obey saying the circumstances
did not call for such measures. The Rifle
Guard soon afterwards approached, and the
mob having burst open the door of the liquor
rooms, one section of the company fired by
order of the Mayor. One person was killed
and six or seven wounded A public meeting
of citizens was held this morning and a com
mittee appointed to investigate all the circum-
stances.
INDIGNATION MEETING.-June 4-The public
meeting called to-day, to investigate the pro-
ceedings of the City authorities, on Saturday
night, was largely attended Judge Wells
presided, and several leading citizens addressed
the meeting A committee of nine were ap-
pointed to investigate the circumstances OF the
case, and if the City authorities are found to
be in error, to prosecute.
A Committee was also appointed to wait
upon Mayor Dow, and to request him, i'll be
half of the citizens, to resign his office.
The funeral of Robbins took place this even
ing. He was. followed to the grave by al
immense procession.
A large number of special police are o.
duty tonight.
NEAL Dow AcoUIrrED.-Mayor Dow, Of Port
land (Me.) has been acquitted on the liquor
charge. Judge Carter decided that no Equo
agency had been established, as no agent ha'
been appointed but held that the statute di'
: not specify whether it should be purchased bc
fore Or after the agent is selected, and that ii
subsequently the liquors were turned over t
the city, there was no evidence of criminal il
tent on the part Of the Mayor.