The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-09-06
I I'll L DISPA TEL.
IHE BURNING or THE NEW YORK
QUARANTINE BUILDINGS.

~
THE BURNING or THE NEW YORK
QUARANTINE BUILDINGS.
Further PArticuln lnrs-Exca ent OF
tne Mob-man shos-Patienas Dy-
Tue burning Of the New York quarantine build
'ngs, 81 which . brief notice was given Saturday,
seems to have been tho result Of settled determi
nation en- the part Of the residents in smithHeld
and CAstieton--two villages 10 the locality--to
clear the pest houses from before their doors. ON
the lat instant, the Board Of Health of the last
named place, passed Q resolution declaring that
they should be removed. The Herald, describing
the burning of the buildings, on Wednesday night,
says:
The first that was known OF the intention to dc.
stroy the buildings was the appearance of about
OF the west wall. DR.. Thompson was instantly
made aware OF the fact when he ordered the steve
dores TO be aroused. He had no sooner given the
above order than the old smallpox hospital, on the
upper ends OF the grounds, was discovered to be
nre. Every one within the grounds was soon awakes
but It was found that the mob was too strong for
them to attempt to drive them away. Dr. BisseI,
as soon as he saw the fire, took his gun and ran
up to the smallpox hospital, where he found
large number OF straw beds piled under the piaz.
zas, and burning at tremendous rate. lie remon.
strated with the mob but to no purpose. as they
instantly drove him from the place. They then
proceeded to the shantes extending along the west
waii-ten In number-and fred each of them,
nrst, however, removing the sick-among them
some OF the smallpox patients. about fffeen 10
number The mob appeared, while destroying the
shanties, In great state Of excitement. They
would run into the three shantiss not fred and
secure straw bed, and then take 1t to where the
fire was setting the beds on fire; after which thew
would return with the burning beds and throw
them into the shanties In this manner they de-
stroyed eseiy one When DR.. Bssel first went
out 20 remonstrate against their cooduct, he was
knocked down and compelled to fy for his life -
After the shanties had been fired, they proceeded
to the burnhouse, several small ou,houses, the
deadhouse, fcehouse and carriage hoose, all Of
which they fired, and which were totally destroy.
ed. They even took the dead cart aud another
wagon on the grounds, aud ran them into the fire
The coal yard, containing 600 tons, next visit
ed by the mob, and all the coal destroyed Iu
several ofthe shanties were about twenty or fifty
toes OF coal, which was also consumed. The bag
gage house, containing large amount of baggage,
was also totally destroyed, together with the en-
gine and $50 feet of hose, thus cutting of any
chance for using the same to arrest the progress
u the flames. The mob at IL O'Clock then pro-
ceeded to the residence of DR.. Thompson. Here
they ordered every person out of the house. Mrs.
Thompson, who was confined to her bed had to be
conveyed from the house in a chair, aud was taken
to the residence of a MIR. Fountain, the outside
vi tue wall. III. thompson succeeded IN getting
portion OF his library before the flames drove him
from the dwelling. Some of his furniture was
also saved. The building was, however, totally
destroyed.
During the attempt made by the stevedores to
extingHish the flames, one of them named Frank
Mathews, was shot in the neck with buck shot,
He was brought to the New York Hospital but his
recovery is considered doubtful.
The mob remained in and about the Quaran tine
grounds until near daylight, when they all left
wars L..
island, meme of whom were disguised. 1t is said
the work Of firing the first building was done by
two persons, one of whom the stevedores attemp pt-
ed to arrest, but he was afterwards liberated by
one OF the doctors connected with the Quarantine.
The sick that was removed from the snarties
were placed by the mob about two hundred yards
from the FIRE. This morning, however, many
we're yet lying about on the grass.
A woman lay up by the side of the stone wall
with the small pox in its worst stages; piece of
canvass was erected over her to keep the sun off,
She appeared to be suffering very intensely, but
no attempt was made to remove her. On the
grass plat near the Sc. Nicholas, were two men
with yellow fever, one Of whom said to be dy-
ing. Strange To say, no lives were lost, but it is
supposed several will die from the excitement and
their exposure to the night air.
Many OF the mob. when told to leave the gound
claimed that they were there only as firemen, and
denied having anything to do with firing the
buildings.
The stone wall was knocked down in two places
or the western side, which, from appearance, was
no doubt done with rams. While many Of the
stevedores tried to arrest the progress of the
flames, they were driven back by the mob, aud in
several instances pistols placed at their head with
a threat that il they made any further attempt to
put out the flames, they would blow their brains
out.
In the barn there was about ten tons of hay and
q new carriage. all of which were DESTROYED
Sergt. Todd, of the Harbor police. was on hand
with his men, and on finding that he could do
nothing with his small furce-Ohly nine in mum.
ber--he Immediately sent Boatswain OBrien with
lye of bis men, to this city for assistance.
The dwelling of DR.. Thompson the Health Off
Ger, was burned, not a timber of IL remaining. In
short, all the hospitals, excepting the one at tue
entrance gate, which was used principally for ship
fever and general disorders, destroyed, and
into this one are now crowded the patients from
all the hospitals combined. Some sixty passen-
gers from the steamer Empire City were landed 10
lhe afternoon previous, to remain five days, who
made their escape in the confusion attending the
burning. There is little or no excitement about
the place, and business is proceeding inside the
walls RS usual. One man was shot 1t is said acci-
by one Of the physicians. He was brought
up to the city for treatment. The people outside
the walls generally give credit to the ply sicians
for their perseverance and determination in saw.
ing and caring for the sick temporarily. There
have been destroyed in all, two brick hospitals,
i've shanties, the dead house, and DIR. Thompsons
dwelling, stables and outhouses; and also all the
Doctors private papers, some of which have been
picked up by the residents OF the village, and have
Lot as yet been returned.
On Thursday evening mob gathered at Tomp-
kinsville, and it was determined to burn the row
OF buildings which remained standing in the occu-
patton Of the boatmen attached to the quarantine
grounds. Their furniture was removed and the
houses fired. The engines were driven back by
the mob The Herald says:
The fire made an immense blaze, and could be
seen for miles. A large crowd congregated in the
battery to witness the fire. The firing of the
buildings was conducted in o very quiet mannrr
Ia fact the first building was set fire just at
time when most Of the mob We're at Burns Hotel
drinking. 1t was freely stated during the entire
evening that the work would be finished ap dur
ing the night, and it would be started at early
hour for the special benefit of the reporters. The
entire inhabitants OF the Island were out, but
strange to say, everything passed off very quietly
The side walks and the house tops:were crowded
With men, women and children, all silently look.
ing on.
Ihe trsmen were compelled to house their en-
gines, and afterwards joined with the spectators
looking on. The first building was on fre under
the baicoD y, large quantity Of straw being placed
underneath, and then fired. As s0On ss it got part
ly under way party Of about half a dozen rushed
out OF the door and began to throw the shutters
ON the flames. The window glass was also knock.
ed out by the mob, each of whom appeared to car.
ry au axe, 20 as 60 allow good draft through the
buildings. Even the fencts along the front OF the
buildings were torn down and thrown on the
fire.
About ten o'clock, a steam tug arrived with two
hundred marines, accompanied by Surveyor Hart
aud Capt. John VI. Beunett The marines were
immediately stationed over the public stores, and
ordered NOT to modest the crowd OK mob unless an
attempt was made to ire the public store housee
Ii was stated that there fifty police sent down,
but up 10 one O'Clock none of them had made their
appearance.
Matthews, one OF the Quarantine officers, who
was shot BY the mob, died on Saturday morning
The New York Tribune Of Saturday afternoon has
tue following:
At 5l4 O'Clock this morning the officers effected
the arrest Of C. G. DeForrest, Vim. Muller, and Ma
thew Carroll and Ray Tompkins, all prominent
actors In the scenes OF violence on Wednesday and
Thursday nights They were arrested at their resi-
dences, and were In bed when the officers came
A squad II twelve men accompanied the officers
10 render assistance ia case there Was any attempt
At resistance or rescue.