The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-06-10
ELECTION RIOT IN WASHINGTON.
UNITED STATES TROOPS ORDERED OUT.
Several Persons Killed and Wounded.

ELECTION RIOT IN WASHINGTON. 1
UNITED STATES TROOPS ORDERED OUT.
Several Persons Killed and Woanded.
The municipal election took place in the
city Of Washington on Monday, lst June, and /
we regret to say was attended BY scenes OF
most disgraceful character, involving the
loss Of life and the wounding Of a number Of
persons. We take the following detail from
the Star Of Monday; 4
In the first precinct Of the fourth ward
this morning a general fight occurred, IN
which several hundred men and boys were
engaged, Unfortunately. 1t seems that
some forty or fifty Plug-Uglies came down
from Baltimore this morning to assist our
citizens in the election to-day. After float
ing around for some time without effecting
anything OF note, they pitched upon the
\ fourth ward FIRST precinct, as being the most
eligible scene for their operations. A long
line of voters were standing in the street,
extending for some distance from the polls,
and composed principally Of Anti-know
Nothing voters. The Plugs, assisted by
several large squads Of Chunkers and Rip
Raps of our own city, endeavored to break
into this line by crowding, but not succeed
ing in this they left the scene OF action to
concert more hostile measures.
After short time they returned largely
reinforced in numbers, and with re,olvers,
stones, billys, brickbats, &c., they made
concerted onslaught upon the voters.
terrible scene now ensued in which the en-
tire crowd participated. Stones and pistols
we're rapidly discharged, and men were
trampled 10 the earth, beaten, stamped on,
and severely wounded. Among those in
4 iured was r. ID. Owens, fourth ward com
missioner, who had his wrist badly shattered
by pistol ball A. Klolfer received spent
ball in his forehead, which stunned him, but
inflicted no serious injury. Capt. Goddard
was, with several officers, on the ground,
and the captain did good service with his
long arms and heavy fists in quelling the
affray. He was severely struck several
times, but got off without any serious
damage.
An Irishman was so dreadfully mutilated
that his features were entirely undistingush-
able, and his head and shoulders were covered
with blood. The polls were torn down by
this imported gang Of Baltimore villains,
the payements were strewn with stones, clubs
and other missiles. Several Of the ring
leaders were arrested and taken TO the guard
house, amongst others, young man by the
name Of Johnson.
The buildings in the neighborhood were
damaged, the doors and windows being
broken in on all sides. Ia the skirmish Mr..
George ID. Spencer received severe blow
in the face.
An old man named Cassidy, a granite
cutter, received bullet wound over the
left ear; the ball fortunately, however,
glanced and did not penetrate the skull,
He was taken up to the residence OF DIR.
Palmer, who attended to the wound.
Mr.. Matthew Emery was severely in
jured by blow from stone. In conse-
quence of the disturbances, there was a
general closing Of the stores and places Of
business quite early in the morning.
At the first precinct of the fourth ward
the officers did all in their power to prevent
the riot, placing themselves between the
! beIligerents and the voters in the line, with
Capt. Goddard at the head, who demanded
, the peace, when they rushed on en- masse,
and with an impetuosity which nothing short
Of a military force could have wIthstuod,
and although the police fought like heroes,
! they were tarced to abandon the held to the
possession Of these hired miscreants.
Such an exhibition Of murderous instru-
, ments as the party carried was sufficient to
cause the peaceably disposed to keep as far
from them as possible. tine man was armed
, with a large blacksmith's sledge another
with horseman's pistol Of large.dimensions
,, another carried miscellaneous assortment
Of reyol,ers, bowie knives, biilies, an iron
bar, while fourth carried, beside a side
pocket filled with convenient stones, brick
bats. &C.. 4 large billet Of oak wood Of suffi-
cient weight to fell an OK. These weapons
we're as thick as mulberries in season, the
: parties brandishing them about in menacing
, manner, to the horror Of all those who were
/, not like themselves participants IN these
iisgraceful scenes.
Mayor Magruder Immediately sent the
: following communication accompanied p.
certificates 10 the President, asking that 4
company Of United States Marines should
be ordered out Tor the purpose Of maintain.
ing the peace:
Washington, June !. is57.S
To the President Of ihs Tinted Sfdtes:
Sn:-rpon the representation Of credit
able citizens that a band Of laNless persons,
most Of them not residents Of this city, have
attacked one Of the polls at which the an
! nual election is now in progress, and altei
: manning some twenty good and peaceable
9 citizens, have driven the remainder from
!. the polls, have dispersed the commissioner
7 of election aud threaten further violence OF
any attempt 70 carry on the election, J re.
!. speetfully request YOU 10 order out the com
!, PAM Of United states Marines now in thi,
city, TO MAINTAIN the peace thereof, the civil
! authorities finding themselves unable TO dc
I 30 with the means al their disposal, and
!; their being no other United States soldier,
! AZ your command ia this city. ! have insti
tuied personal inquiry into the matter
and lind that the weapons used we're various
!. 4 - 70 e.. -. LII Ln..n. aud allnna