Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-09-16
F1REMENs MUSTER AT MANCHESTER.


FIREMENS MUSTER AT MANCHESTER.
A RIoT.-On Wednesday night, at Man
chester, there was great riot, in which about
one thousand of the fremen attacked the
gamblers and gambling hells 1t appears that
great swarm of gamblers had gathered to-
gether in Manchester to ply their trade during
the muster; and temporary gambling rooms
had been opened in cellars. retreshment sa-
looms, and various other places. AT one of
these dens difficulty arose between the gam
blers and and a fireman. The cause of it is
not clearly explained but it appears that the
fireman complained that he had been cheated
and swindled. The dispute led to a fight. One
of the firemen was hit with champagne bot.
tie, and then grew up the riot, in the course of
which dozen of these gambling establish
ments were CLEANED out." The Manchester
police could do nothing to arrest their proceed
ings. The gamblers fought little and used
revolvers. But few persons, however, were
seriously injured. The fight began at Offut's
building, from which, at the beginning, the
party of firemen were elected by superior
force of the gamblers. But Immediately the
building was attacked by great force of fire.
men in the street. The Travellers reporter
says
Suddenly some one in the crowd threw
stone at the building, SCATTERING window.
This acted like magic on the company, and
shower of missiles-stones, bricks and clubs
followed it, till the window glass and sashes
were completely smashed I'M The fremen
then advanceu upon the building, with loud
cries of Tear it DOWN. Where are the gam
blers Drag 'em outP &c. They soon de-
molished the doors, and rushed in, smashing
tables and chairs in their way. They ran
through and knocked out the windows in the
rear, but the occupants were nowhere to be
found. Every part of the rooms was ransack-
ed. In the front room was about $500 worth
of wines, liquors, and cigars These the men
distributed among themselves, and as fast as
| their contents were drained, the bottles were
either smashed or appropriated by the men as
weapons. The rooms were completely riddled
and the furniture and fixtures reduced to mere
rubbish. The crowd then slowly retired to
the streets and sidewalks"
A restaurant was next attacked and then
followed vain attempt by fireman and the
City Marshal to allay the excitement The
Traveller reporter goes on =
"About this time some person suggested a
| grand assault upon the American House, on
Manchester street, about thirty rods below the
| scene of the first row. Some of the more dis
orderly of the rioters had become intoxicated
upon the liquor which they had procured in
the places they had pillaged, and elsewhere.
while others appeared melted by genuine feel.
ing, and notinhamed by rum. The multitude
started with rush for the designated place
| This House is kept by Horace Bonney, and
was the resort of many gamblers during the
day and evening. The mob rushed furiously
at it, and all resistance was in vain. The win
dows were smashed, the doors forced and I'M
hinged, the occupants driven towards the rear,
and the lower rooms taken possession of and
completely sacked.
! Soon after the attack the occupants were
reinforced by number of the people from the
other places which had been broken up, and
they made stand in the rear of the building.
| from which they fired several pistol shots at
| the crowd, without, however, that we could
learn, injuring any one. A large portion of
the assailants fell back, as it was well known
the party attacked was generally armed with
| revolvers, and that they would be used on
sufficient provocation. Quite a number of
men, however, continued in front of the build
ing, throwing stones, and uttering impreca.
tons upon every gambler in the world. The
crowd was here divided up into several parties
who started of in different directions, to attack
suspected places. Most of them had been
closed, but the windows were broken and va
rious depredations committed"
Between one and two o'clock, his Honor
Mayer Harrington appeared on the street, to
aid by his presence, if possible, in restoring
order. He visited various localities, where
the riot had been most serious in its effects
endeavored to dispense the crowds and to pre-.
vent further disturbance.
Arriving on Manchester street. where n
large crowd was collected, he addressed them
promising that every effort of the authorities
should be used to prevent imposition being
practiced upon them In return he asked
them to be orderly, and refrain from turbulent
proceedings. He was loudly Kissed at first
and fireman then made speech.
mir. Mayor" said he, "if you wanted tc
treat us well, why did you allow these gam
blers to be here all? You knew they wer,
here, and ought TO have been arrested. L
you have not force enough to arrest them, civ,
us some armed officers TO lead us and we will
go with them, and see the thing done right. ;
| kJVuu ChceIb' NTiSb VI IeS, ''GOOu,' &U
The Mayor promised them every effort shouIt
be used to right everything, and said he SHOULD
rely on them to aid in restoring order Lout
cheers greeted him, and soon after an office
accompanied by delegation of iremen, wen
through the building, but no gamblers were
found.
Various other gambling places were sacked
and the riot continued until nearly daylight
AS the morning approached the crowd lessen
ed until all disturbance ceased, No arrest
were made. and it is stated that many of tn,
citizens took the side of the fremen agains
the gamblers.
The INJURED.-Ye Yesterday morning, ther,
were some bandaged heads and hands Tn,
fireman who was assaed with champaign,
bottle leapcd from a front window into celia
way, falling down a fight of stairs, injurinI
him severely, and man named Platte, drill
master of Stark Engine Co. No. Q, Of Manclcs