Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-06-05
TerribIe Election Riot in Washington.

the cltypof Tashingto yesterday, anu we
regret 10 say was attended by scenes of
most disgraceful character, involving the
loss of Lille and the wounding of number
+of persons. In addition to the particu-
lars given in the letters of our Washing
ton correspondents, we take the following
detail from the Star of last evening:
In the cfrstprecin of the fourth ward.
this morning general fight occurred. in
which several hundred men and boys
were engaged, Unfortunately. Il seems
that some forty or fifty Plug Uglies came
down from Baltimore this morning to as
sist our eitizensin the election to-day.
After floating around for some time with
out effecting anything OF note. they pitch
ed upon the fourth ward first precinct, as
being the most eligible scene for their op.
eratiors. A long line of voters were
standing in the street, extending for
some distance from the polls. and COM
posed principally of anti know nothing
voters. The Plugs. assisted by several
large squads of Chunkers and Rip Raps
of our own city. endeayored to break in
to this line by crowding. but not succeed
ing in this they left the scene Of action to
After short time they returned large.
ly reinforced in numbers and with, reVol.
vers. stones, billys. brickbats. &C.. they
made concerted onslaught upon the yo>
tiers. a terrible scene now eEsued. in
which the entire crowd participated.
Stones and pistols were rapidly discharg-
ed and men were trampled to the earth,
beaten. stamped ON and severely woun-
ded. Among those injured was R. B.
Owens, fourth ward commissioner, who
had his wrist badly shattered by pistol
ball: A. Kloffer received spent ball in
his forehead. which. stunned him, but in
tiicted no serious injury. Captain God
dard was, with several officers. on the
ground. and the capteih did good service
with his long arms and heavy fists in
quelIing the atfray. He was severely
struck several times, but got of without
any serious damage.
An lrishman was SO dradfully mu!ila-
ted that his features were entirely undis.
,inguishabe and his head and shoulders
were covered With blood. The polls
we're torn down by this imported gang
OF Baltimore villains. the pavements were
strewn with stones, clubs and other mis-
siles. Several of the ringleaders 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. In the
skirmish Mr.. Geo, D, Spencer received
severe blow in the face.
-. :1z
cutter. received a bullet wound over the
left ear; the ball fortunately. however,
glanced and did not penetrate the skull
He was taken to the residence OF DR.
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 aud places
Of business quite early in the morning.
at the first precinct Of the fourth ward
the officers did all in their power to pre-.
vent the riot, placing themselves between
the belligerents and the voters in the
line, with Captain Goddard at the bead
who demanded the peace. when they
rushed on en- aeasse, and with an impetu.
osity which nothing short Of military
force could have withstood, and although
the police fought like heroes, they were
forced to abandon the field TO the posses.
sion Of these hired miscreants.
Such an exhibition Of murderous in
struments as the party carried was suf
6cient to cause the peaceably disposed to
keep as far from them as possible. One
man was armed with large blacksmith
sledgc; another with horse pistol OF large
Dimensions; another carried misceIa
neous assortment of revolvers. bowie
knives. biIles. an iron bar. while fourth
carried. besides side pocket filed with
convenient stones. brickbats, &C.. a large
billet OF oak wood OF suffiient weight &c
fell an OK. These weapons were as thicl
as mulberries in season. the parties bran
dishing them about in menaciny man,
ner, to the horror Of all those who were
not. like themselves participants in these
disgraceful scenes.
Mayor Magruder Immediately sent the
following communication accompanied
by cerIi6ca,es) to the President, asking
that a company of U. S. marines should
be ordered out for the purpose of main
tanning the peace.
MAYORS OFFICE.
WAsHINoroN. Jnne. l..l857
To the President Of tie United States:
Sir: Upon the representation Of credit.
able citizens that band Of lawless per
sons, most of them not residents Of this
city. have attacked one OF the polls al
which the annual election is now in pro.
gress. and after manning some twenty
good and peaceable citizens, have driven
The remainder from the polls, have dis.
rersed the commissioners OF election and
| threaten further violence IN any ot,anon,