Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-08
Agricultural Riots in IreIand-The
ssRebeIIion of the Iseapers.o

The foreign advices published a few days
ago briefly mentioned that serious riots have
occurred in Kilkenny against the agricultural
machines and that the military had to be
called ont before peace could be restored
The eme,ae is described by local paper as a
rebellion Of the reapers," composed of
agricultural laborers of the district, aided by IA
contingent of COnnaughtment and large
bodies of peaSantry from Tipperary and the
Kings and Queens counties, who it appears.
had entered into an organized combination
for the destruction of reaping machines and
the prevention of the practice of moving corn
with the scythe. The Kilkenny Journal con-
tains the suHoined condensed report of the
proceedings;
We regret to announce that the peace of
the city has not only been seriously endanger-
ed for some days past but that acts of violence
have been perpetrated in several parts of the
county, by large body of laborers from this
and the surrounding counties, who have been
thrown out of employment by the introduce
ton of machinery for agricultural purposes.
On last Sunday upwards OF 1000 persons
assembled in our streets, most of them armed
with reaping- hooks, yelling in a most fright
full manner, to the great dsmay of the
citizens, who were hourly expecting nothing
less tnan the sack of the city.
Fortunately, the rioters were allowed to have
act of violence in the streets, and we think
the mayor and the authorities acted with
great prudence on the occasion, as a single
arrest might have led to most lamentable con-
sequences The mob, we believe, consisted
principally of disbanded militia men from
Tipperary, Queens county. and Kings coun-
ty, with an auxiliary force from this neighbOr-
hood, and it would seem as if there was a
certain amount of precOncert and organza-
in tk.,V Sfrn HnHy oft
may he said to have been absolutely in their
possession, but no violence took place beyond
the shouting and yelling we have already
mentioned. On Monday morning at day
break the streets rang with the rioters who
held sort of council of war, in which it was
decided that all the machinery in the county
should be forthwith destroyed, as the only
chance of employment for the laborer.
After parading the streets for some time,
they proceeded at six o'clock to Oldtown.
about two miles from the city, to the residence
of farmer named Walsh, and commenced
breaking his reaping machine, which they
soon smashed into fragments. Walsh offered
no resistance, as he considered it useless, but
looked on quietly, and the mob proceeded on
their work of destruction without offering
uim any personal violence.
At o'clock they reached Pigeon Park
(near Danesfort.) the residence of Mr.. How
son, Scotchman. and prepared to attack his
machine also. Mr.. Howson and his family,
on the other hand, prepared to defend it; but
at the very outset his gun was knocked out
of his hand by blow of large stone with
which he was struck on the arm. One of his
sons seized the gun and ran of with il, but
while in the act of doing so he was closely
pursued when he turned round and fir d. but
without effect, upon his pursuers. He was
instantly seized and the gun taken from him
and broken; but he suffered no personal vio-
lcnce at the hands of the rioters. We regret
to say that his father was not so fortunate,
for, while striving to defend the machine, he
was knocked down and received several in
juries in the head and jaw. but though severe
ly burt we are happy to say his life is not in
danger. While Mr.. Howson was lying on
the ground, his daughter, with the courage of
a heroine, seized a pitchfork and held il above
him, threatening instant death to wh0msoeyer
should touch hair of his head; but she also,
after some vain resistance. was speedily dis
armed, add received some slight injuries in
the struggle
The machine was then broken to pieces
and, more disgraceful still, Mr.. Howson's gold
watch was carried OF by the rioters. The
work of destruction was not proceeded with
further on that day; and though several ru-
mors were aioat ia the city Yesterday as to the
oth.r intented attacks on machinery, nothing
occurred 10 justify those rumors.
Yesterday morning the crowds again as
sembled in the streets. and paraded up and
down in thousands, as on the previous day,
cheering and shouting aud yelling, Jill about
nine O'Clock, when tha city assumed it's usual
orderly appearance. None OF the rioters bave
been appr, hended, or even identified, and the
ONLY steps that have been taken TO prevent
the recurrence of these lawless proceedings is
an order from the authorities for two troops
of dragons, which were telegraphed for 10
the Currshg Camp yesterday, and which were
expected TO arrive in town last night A
meeting of magistrates was also held IN
Stoneyford yesterday. in the neighborhood OF
these outragcs, 10 consider and devise the
b, st means to be adopted for the protection
Of life and property in the county.