Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-03

Riot at the Know-nOthing Gathering
Washington.
Every friend Of our city, its peace and good
name, will regret to hear of the riotous pro
ceedngs that took place towards the end ant
after the close of the Know-nothing meeting
on Monday evening. For more than an hour
our principal avenue in its central quarter was
the scene of disorder and violence, such as the
Washington of very few years ago would
have both bitterly wept at and sharply rebuked
The order of the city, the law, and its officers
were trampled on and abused, almost without
stint. We learn that about IL o'clock informa.
ton was brought to the Mayor, who was on
duty at the City Hall, that improper proceed
ings were going on in the portico of the east
wing of that edifce. Having directed his
steps thithsr, he found a number of boys drink
ing whiskey from bottles, which he took from
them and commenced to scatter and destroy.
This act induced several men standing by to
interfere in behalf of the boys and to make
palpable exhibition Of personal hostility to the
Mayor. Finding thepart excited, and not wish
ing to exasperate them by further action, the
Mayor walked in the direction Of the Centre-mar-
ket house, accompanied by boots and shouting.
When near Cops Saloon he was stricken with
a stone, and by the assistance of an officer Sc.
cured the offender for. few moments; but a
slung shot on the head compelled him to let go
his hold, and his assailants escaped. By his re-
tirement from the vicinity of the crowd at the
City Hall he had hoped the party pursuing him
would decrease, instead of which it had greatly
e. e Al
market-house the crowd around him had be-
come very numerous, and the disturbance, ii
possible, more intense. Cries of "carry him to
the watch. house" "away. with him" and the
like were raised, but not further attempted to
be carried into effect. At this point the cap
tain of the auxiliary guard, with party from
the gqard-house, arrived to the Mayors assist
ance, and succeeded in rescuing him from the
danger that seemed to threaten. The crowd,
increased by the breaking up of the meeting
at the City Hall, passed westwardly, and at
10th street was Joined by man with violin,
whose presence was considered by the captain
of the guard as calculated to increase the ex-
element. Captain Mills therefore proceeded
to arrest him, but before he could fully do SO
was himself stunned and stricken to the ground
by sung-shot directed against the back of the
head. The disorder and violence then became
very great and the efforts of the police were
redoubled; but, so far as we learn, such was
the overwhelming force and the preparedness
of the crowd with stones and slung-shots that
scarcely an officer was allowed to effect an ar
rest, 60 instantly were their efforts stopped by
the application of stunning blows to their
skulls. In this excited way the mass continu-
ed westwardly till they arrived at about the
Kirkwood House, when rush was made for
the person Of the Mayor, which he happily
evaded and by the praiseworthy exertions of
several persons, and especially of Thomas G.
Dom, esq, and Mr.. James Birch, late captain
Of the auxiliary guard, was enabled to take
shelter in the Kirkwood. Passing through the
building, he left by the side door on 18th street,
and continued his way home.
In the course Of the turmoil between 10th
and llth streets pistol was discharged at him,
which was happily prevented from taking effect
by the throwing up of the arm Of the party
when about to fire. The attempt to arrest this
party was frustrated by the ubiquitous slung-
shot on the head of the arresting officer.
Further riotous demonstrations were made
all along the avenue, and especially at about
the corner of l4th street, where there was
great throwing of stones and bricks, and where
the slogans were " First Ward" and "Second
Ward" AS the Georgetown division of the
crowd passed the Mayors residence his door
was sauted with heavy stones.
We understand that nearly every officer and
policeman on the ground was more or less in
jured, and some Of them quite severely. Seve-
raj warrants have been issued for the arrest of
parties who were known, but could not be ar
rested at the time.
Notwithstanding the bruises the Mayor re-
ceived, he was yesterday engaged with his
usual duties at the City Hall.-National hatelli-
gencer.