Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-13
Another Fatal Riot at 81. Louis.

terrible tragedy last night about six o'clock.
10 large body of Home Guards entered the ci
: through Fifth street, from the Arsenal, whe
they had been enlisted during the day and fui
h. nished with arms On reaching Walnut stree
q the troops turned westward, large crowd lin
,. ing the pavements to witness their progress
y At the corner OF Fifth street, parties among th
spectators began hooting, kissing and otherwis
!. abusing the companies as they passed, and bo
about IA years of age discharged pistol int
the ranks.
y Part of the rear company Immediately turne
and fired upon the crowd, and the whole column
: was instantly In confusion, breaking their rank
and discharging muskets down their own lin
and among the people on the side walks. Th
shower of balls for few minutes was terrible
the bullets flying in every direction, entering
doors and windows Of private residences, break
ing shutters, tearing railngs, and even smash
ing bricks on the third story.
The utmost confusion and CONSERVATION pre-
vailed, spectators fleeing in all directions, and
but for the random firing of the troops, scores
of people must have been killed. AS most Of
the firing was directed down their own ranks,
the troops suffered most severely, four of their
number being instantly killed and several
wounded.
Jerry Switzlan, river engineer, John Garvin,
eQ.
Charles H. Woodward was wounded in the
shoulder; his entire arm will have to be ampu.
tated. jeremiah Godfrey, working garden for
Mr.. Cozzens, received three mimic balls in his
body. Michael Davis had his ankle shattered,
James +. Welsh was badly shot in the foot, and
several others were less severely wounded. The
house Of Mr.. Matthias received three bullets; one
Of his daughters was struck with spent ball.
Only one of the soldiers, John Dick, German,
has been recognized.
An immense crowd of people filled the streets
after the occurrence. The most intense indig-
nation is expressed against the Germans.
Mayor Taylor addressed the excited crowd,
and induced them to disperse, under promise
that no further violence should be done. The
city was comparatively quiet during evening
and night, heavy rain preventing the assemb-
ling Of large crowds.
The Slate troops released from the Arsenal
last evening came to the city on the steamer,
fearing TO trust themselves among the Ger
mans of the lower wards, even under escort
All complain bitterly Of bad treatment during
their confinement in the Arsenal.
General Frost and his officers gave their pa
role under protest, and his men were allowed |
to avail themselves of the same when taking
the oath not to bear arms against the United
States.
Heavy rains have fallen nearly oil day, not
which the streets have been
thronged by an excited people, large proper
tion Of whom loudly censure those in authority
for putting loaded arms in the hands of inexpe-
rienced volunteers, to shoot down inoffensive cit
zens for insufficient cause.
All good citizens deprecate the action of the
lawless parties, and mostly blame the troops for
firing into crowd of innocent
people without orders, and cry out against the
unnecessary marching OF armed soldiers through
he city.
In order to alay the excitement and restore
confidence to the people, Gen. Harney issued a
to the people of st. Louis and
State OF Missouri, which has been posted
throughout the city, expressing deep regret at
The State Of things exising here, and pledging
himself to do all in his power to preserve the
,eace, calling on the people and the authorities
% assist him in the discharge ofhis duties.
He says the military force under his command
will only be used in the last extremity and
hopes he will not be compelled 20 resort to mar.
ial law, but emphatically states that the public
peace must be preserved, and the lives and
property of the people protected. He says he
las no authority to change the location Of the
Home Guards now quartered in the city; but to
lvoid all causes of irritation and excitement, IL
,Alled upon, will aid the local authorities with
he regular army in preference.
In accordance with his proclamation, bat
iallion Of regulars has been sent to the city and
placed under the direction of the police commits
,ioners, to act as military police corps.
Considerable lawlessness prevailed during the
irst two days. Several innocent Germans have
,een shot on the streets.
The feeling against the Germans is most in
ense, the regular volunteers and Home Guards
'eing composed mainly of that class of citizens,
md through their acts 80 many innocent people
laving been killed.
Several persons, charged with firing on the
roops and shooting in the streets, have been
rrested, and the police are constantly on the
Ilert.
News ofthe surrender of Camp Jackson crea-
ed intense excitement at Jefferson City, and
Harris Military bill passed both House and
senate in fifteen minutes.
Another commotion was created upon the re.
,eption of dispatch stating that large force
# volunteers had left this city for Jefferson.
The powder recently purchased here was i'm
nediately sent into the country, and the State
Treasury removed to place of security. A
arge number of citizens enrolled themselves as
| Home Guard, and several hundred troops are
expected from the adjoining counties. In obe-
Hence to q special call by the Governor, a ses-
lion Of the Legislature was called after midnight.
A bill passed both Houses extending powers
)ver the Police Commissioners, and giving the
Governor ample means for suppressing riots
and insurrectionary movements throughout the
State. .1t..t
About thousand Illinois volunteers are now
stationed at Caseyville, seven miles east of
here