The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-03-20
: ELEeffoN RI0rs.iN oHIeAGo.


At the 18th Ward on the night of the Flee
ton, some fifteen hundred irish had gathered
about the polls and being excited by liquor
were ready Tor row at the shortest notice
The Republicans manageable keep their posi-
\ lions at the polls until about three O'clock in
tie afternoon, when they were driven away
BY the Irish. Mr.. George Armour. of the
| firm Of Munger 4 Armour, challenged the
votes of some lrishmen who did not live in
the Ward, and was set upon by a crowd OF
infnriated Irish, and severely kicked and bea
ten about the head and face, being dragged
nearly across the street by his hair. He was
rescued by his friends after a severe fight, and
conveyed home. The ruffians who assaulted
him, cried kill him. kill him." and but for
the determined efforts of his friends, the
wretehes would no doubt have carried out
their murderous intentions.
A short time after another fracas took place
in which an lrishman was stabbed. Anoth.
er man was pursued by the crowd upon the
ice, but managed TO escape. One of his pur-
suers on his return broke through the ice and
was drowned. f-
About half an hour afterwards, nearly 800
Irish started upon the run up north Wells ST.
to the polls Of the first election district of the
18th ward, on Division street. legion Of
have made more noise. Some too drunk to
run. deposited themselves in the cutters on
the way side. Some levied on teams, Others
for amusement pelted the houses and passers
by with bricks and stones all the while yell.
ing aud screaming like catamounts. The de-
monise crowd armed themselves as thew went
along with rails. clubs and budgeons Of eve
nv description. Arriving at Division street,
they rushed TO the polls and the fight CON-
meneed. The Germans at first retreated to
their houses. but soon returned armed with
every thing upon which they could lay their
hands and The melee was renewed in earn.
est. The fight flssted nearly half an hour.
One stal wart German armed by his good Vrow
with a clothes pole, commit ted terrible havoc
M wing hem down right and left. Many a
broken head and battered crown will show
testimony for long time TO the vigor with
which he administered his blows.
The Germans, although in the minority,
fought like tigers BY this time several Irish
men became fa,igued and laid themselves
down rather preeipitately, but il closed eyes,
broken noses and cracked skulls were very
sure Indications, we should say that they
were considerably hurt. Suddenly the re-
port Of pistol was heard, and at the first
shot the lrishmen started in a bee line for
nome, uespIlt Tue HtIeHiI'is oi Que UT Two val
orous oneswho cried, "Will we ever come
back. We towards"
The Germans gained and kept possession of
their polls maniully. against the attack of
those ruffians. and the disappointed crowd
who came up bold as lions went back like
sheep, save few who were left stretched out
as trophies to the stunning blows of good |
German arms.
An honr or two later the Irish returned in !
greater force, aud this time the Germans
were overpowerei by numbers and dispersed. |
On both occasions fire arms were fieely used. |
The police themselves were in many cases
the leaders in the fights, and rs far ms the city
authorities wefe concerned. the town was du- |
ring the entire day at the mercy of mob of
drunken and ierocious ''Dimmieratic" Irish.
men. Pc g..
Among those who were injured was Charles
Walter, a peaceahle German, who. while
walking away from the polls, was followed
by dozen of brutal Irishmen and beaten and
shot. His arm. was broken and his head cut
most terribly. He was also shot in the head,
severe flesh wound. He cannot
possibly survive his injuries.
Frank Seiffert. another German, was set
upon and beaten with sticks aud cut with
knives, and when down was jumped upon
and badly injures internally. He suffered
frdm his injured during the evening
and during The night he died. He was a
worthy man, and leaves wife and q num-
Der Of children in almost destitute circum
stances. Sc veral other Germans were more
or less severely injured, but it is thought they
will recover from their injuries--From the
Chicago Journal.