Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-01-25
DESTRTCTYT.E SlRE.
Villainous Attack Upen Citizens


flre WIS discovered in the steam saw IN j
corner ofFront and Warren streets, the PROF
erty OF Mr.. 81 Allen. of this city. TIL
alarm was Immediately given. and a larg
concourse Of citizens gathered on the spo
to render such service as might be in tbei
power to stay the destruction of property
Such was the progress of the flames befor
the citizens had assembled, that all a.sis
tance which they could render in extinguisl-
ing the hames, were entirely futile. Th
building. and its contents Of machinery, fix
lures, DC. was entirely consumed. The ex
tent ofthe loss was ,as near as We could learn
about $4,000, which was mostly covered bJ
insurance
The cause of this desructon Of property
was undoubtedly through the agency Of or
incendiary. as the mill has been standing
idle for several months, and there was "a
possibility of its taking fire from any other
source than that above stated. Some OF
our citizens volunteered to get ont the en-
gine, but after taking it as far as the corn
er of Second and Main sts, they learned
that it would be Of no use to take it to the
scene of the fire, as it had so far advanced
as to be impracticable; SO the idea was
abandoned
But the most villainous and disgraceful
portion of this matter is yet to be told
1t seems that a number of disafected persons
who had taken dislike to some Of the late
actions or the City Council, determined to
take this opportunity to wreak their ven
gence upon the Mayor and several members
of the Council there present. While in the
discharge of his duty as an active citizen.
Aid. Cannon was caught by some ruffians
and thrown upon the ground. Another
villain advanced with an uplifted axe. and
but for the Intervention of some friends, he
would undoubtedly have been killed upon
the spot. lie was hurried away and was soon
beyond danger Aid. Corbin was soon dis.
covered by the mob, which, instigated by
their leader, made for him en- n ose, and he,
concluding that TO leave was the best
pohcy, left the scene of trouble with as
much expedition as might be. The mob also
waited upon Mayor Sargent. and notified
him that his presence was obnoxious TO
them and requested him to leave the
gruonds immeL lately One of the members
Of the Independent Company mounted
pile Of lumber and called Justify for the No.
Is, when large number Of them marched
through the crowd, and rallied around the
May or, and protected him from any assault
from the mob. The No. Ones, at the
request of the Mayor. took back to the ell
gine house, the tender, Rover, tie only ap-
pparatus at the fire For this act they
have the kindest regards of the public. The
utmost excitement prevailed, but the infuria
ted scoundrels were held in check. The May
or made a speech to those present, in which he
denounced such mobocratic demonstrations
and stated that he thought all points of diff
Guilty might be honorably and peaceably ad-
usted, and that all such demonstrations as
We're there made, were disgraceful, and
should receive the unqualified condemnation
Of all honorable and peaceable minded citi
zens SO We think SO all law abiding peo-
pie decide
Lest some of our readers may think that
his mob was insligated by the members Of
he Independent Fire Company, We would
state that such was not the case, and that
lis outrage did not arise from any disaffec
,ion between the Couacil and Fire Company,
but from matters Of a character Of differ |
snt nature, in which q number of the citi |
,ens in the lower part OF the city claim to be !
'orely aggrieved.
We trast that some steps will be immedi-
,tely taken in this matter, by which these
nobocrats will be taught that the rights and |
privileges of private citizens must be re-
'pected.