The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-06-27
mILwAUxEEE BANK MOB.


Four Banks Gutted, Rocks and MiSSciS ThrOsoa
Persons hit ocith Stones Military COmpG-
mics dppear-MOntgOnaer Guards the First
the Point cfthe BayOnets.
(Fron. The lhlscaukee EV1sconsia.J
A terrible mob on the Banks has prevailed
in this city ever since about ten O'Clock this
morning. 1t was started by large crowd,
mostly composed ofGermans,i in the upper wards
Of the city-the 2nd 9th and 9th
A little over month ago the Banks Of this
citv. with the exception Of the Farmers and
Millers' Bank, entered into an agreement to sus-
tain the circulation of all Bal KS or this State,
until the LIST of December On Saturday all the
principal banking houses threw out ten OF he
hanks included III their previous agreement,and
published a card to that effect.
The mob first commenced at the Second ara
Bank, about ten o'clock, and we ate informed
that they gathere about there in large num-
bers and soon cleaned out that Institution, OF
which VIM. H. Jacobs is President. Then they
came surgine down East Water street, headed
by band of music to Alex. Mitchell's bank,
and gathered there by thousands There were
several individuals in the bank at the time, and
they were unable to get out. First they attempt
ed to force open the doors, but the doors were
barred and entrance denied
The rocks began to fly Tito the windows OF
Mitchells Bank, and also into the windows oil
offices above and beneath the Bank. 1t was not
long before the windows was completely honey
combed. Great boulders were dug up from the
navement and hurled IN with violence that
must have resulted in killing any person had he
been struck by them.
There was no particular noise during the
riotous proceedings, except that there would be
now and then a shout as the rocks flew through
the windows land there was that continued NUT
tering, cursing and talking, which always char
acterizes mobs of this kind. Occasionally as
some fright would arise, the crowd wonld adj
yanse again. On he outskirts of the crowd
were peaceable citizens, looking on in amaze
ment and not knowing what to do, nor what to
look for next. The stairs to upper stories OF
buildings III the vicinity, were crowded with
men, women and children. The windows of
buildings in the vicinity were filed with heads
of both sexes, looking on the scene in silence
and wonder.
Everybody seemed spell bound, although
there were many and many who bill their lips
and knit their brows, and felt within themselves
and said to those next them, that this outrage
had gone too far that the citizens must rise up
and put it down.
Meanwhile the mob had broken into Mitch
ellis Bank, and many of them rushed in. They
were resisted by the few who were inside among
whom was Mayor Brown, but the mob was too
powerful for them. Now they went to work at
the counters, tearing them down, cutting out
the windows, selling all the papers they could
find and tossing them out into the street.
Property of all kinds was hurled into the street,
and the bank was completely Quilted.
Luckily. however, large portion of the val
uables were in the vault, into which the crowd
were unable to enter Mr.. Mitchell got out in
sight of the crowd and attempted to speak
But stones and clubs few thicker and faster,
the rabbIe roared, and he was obliged to retire.
| Now came the turn of the State Bank direct
| " opposite. 1t only needed start, and soon
| the windows of that institution were complete
! ly dashed in A stone struck one of the clerks,
Mr. Hayden, and injured him considerably. =
MI. Imbusch, the President, barely escaped be-
ing struck on the head with rock. The des-
tructlon at that bank was nearly as great as at
Mitchelrs. They entered and tore up the count
ers, broke up the furniture, ard Quilted out ev-
erything The same violence was used in the
banking Office of j. B. Martin, under the State
Bank.
They afterwards took all the furniture OF
these three institutions and piling them i II she
streets, with all the paper and books they could
get hold of, set chem on fire.
They also broke the windows of the banking
Office of Nh. Bellingen, under the State Banks,
and Quilted out his place of business The same
Vandalism was practiced upon the loan and in
surance agency office Of Allis & McGreg Dr.
Rocks were thrown into the windows of the
Bank Of Milwaukee.
By this time Mayor Brown had ordered out
the Montgomery Guards, but we understand
(and if it is SO, we regret to be compelled to say
| it, that he ordered them out with blank cart.
ri ges This was only All invitation for the mob
to fight, and reckless imperiliing of the lives
of the Guards. But the guards marched against
the crowd for some distance, driving them out
OF Michigan street into East Water, where they
came to ii halt.
Here the mob gathered about them. and for
Esome reas on or other the Guards soon retired,
and marched back again to their armOry. Then
the mob went to their work of destruction again;
but the Indignation and anger of the citizens
had by this time become understandable, aud
they determined 10 arm themselves with any
thing they could get hold Of and put down the
mob if they lost their lives thereby.
All this time, Capt Hubbard and his compa-
ny of Zouaves were at their armory ready to
act as soon as orders were given them from
proper sources. Gov. Randall had been tee.
graphed to, and the answer came to dispense
the mob. The gallant boys were ready to a
man, in full uniforms, with their guns and bay
onets, and many of them with side arms
Their Captain led them forth like a hero, a
single bundled against thousands of mad des-
peradoes.
But the noble fellows had determined that
the mob should be put down, or they would lose
their lives IN the attempt. Capt Billboard led
them on with only his sword, and when the
Zouave rally was given every citizen felt proud
| of them and knew that they would do their
| duty
The mob retired before them. They formed
| in close eader and walked right through the
middle of the rabble without Single gun being
fred. One of the mob threw butcher knife
which came near hitting one of the ZOuaves,
and the latter took 1t up and stuck it in his belt
as a trophy
Occasionally the crowd would boot at them,
aud at one time they seemed about to make a
rush back upon the ''boys," but the latter stood
resoute with cooked muskets, and we'll was it
for the crowd that nc advance upon the troops
was made. The Zouaves finally cleaned out
East Water street, and as we write guard
| ing the streets above and below the banks and
near the NeWhall House, with orders to fire up
on any one that attempts to break their lines.
One or two fire companies also came out, and
assisted in dispensing the crowd, by squirting
streams of water upon them
The people have undoubtedly suffered by
the banks breaking their agreement, but it is
the wrong way to go to work for redress. Mob
| law is NEVER !usthable One hundred special
| policemen have been detailed, and they have
been engaged for hours in arresting the ring.
leaders, whom they now have IN Gus ody.-
Some OF those arrested fought like tigers, but
were overpowered.
Several were injured. Those we have heard
of are Charley Larkin, son Of the Sheriff. Sc
riously Alex. Mitchell, quite badly; G. A.
Starkweather, badly; j. B. Martin, not serious
ly, and young Hayden. Mayor Brown was hit
on the side Of his head. One of the mob got
his hand nearly cut off by one of the Zouayes
Each of the banks will lose from $1,000 to
S., 900, while the loss by the suspension Of
buainess-the destruction OF papers that cannot
be replaced, cannot be covered, we presumably
$4,000.
Special Despatch to The Chicago Tribune.)
MILWAUKEE, June "a.
JvL., 49, rooI fr,t word