The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-05
SERIOUS RIOT IN BROOKLYN.
Attack on q Tobacco Factory in
Sedgwick Street.
Trouble Between the Negro LabOfers ara
Party Of White LabOrers,
TO-, &C., Ia.

occurred at the foot Of Scdgwck street, South Brooklyn,
between large number Of Irish hborers and some one
hundred negroes employed in the tobacco factory OF Mr.
Thomas Watson. At period the disturbance threat
sned to rather extensive proportions and it was
thought In fact that tho whole southern region OF the
City Of Churches was about 10 become the OF
general upheaval.
The particulars OF tho affair gathered from various
Sources appear to be those
For several days past the negro population in
tbs vicinity above alluded 10 are charged with
having used insulting language to white females
on several occasions This conduct OF course had the
natural effect Of exciting the indignation OF the Irish Ia
borsrs in the nsighborhood, some Of whose wives aud
daughters had 1t is said, been thus nsulted, and
gsanss accordingly vowed against the coored people
On Saturday last hosties assumed the first practical
shape On the afternoon Of that day Of the negroes
Poyed In Lorards tobacco factory standing in the
doorway Of Gradys liquor store the opposite Of
the street, when white man, who wanted to pass in,
asked him quietly get out Of the way The negro said
he would not, he had good right there as 'any
other man." The white man again asked the negro to
stop Quo side, which the latter grufay rulused to
40, upon which the former kicked him OF
his way. On seeing this, another colorod man
ran acress from LcrIllards with a knife in his
band TO stab tho white man, but was prevented from
doing any injury by a policeman who came up. This
ended Tho difficulty on Saturday.
Yesterday morning a delegation or white men went
into Mr. orillards factory aud insisted that negroes
should be allowed work thsre. Mr. Lorilard enid
he would comply with the request and stopped his color
ed laborcrs from working. Atout O'Clock in the af
ternoon oyer thousand white hborers, and
children assembled in front Of Mr.. Wasons factory
armed with Clubs brckbat stones aud other missiles,
and commenced headloag assault on the windows
Several policemen had been previously secreed the
building to protect tho negro workmen in Of the
threatened attack. As soon therefore, the rioters
entered the they cndcnvo-ed TO rush up to the
story. where the negroes He;e they
met by the policemen, who succeeded in preventing
their ascent. One OF the assasnts then fire pau
OF tar tho rst floor and in instan. all the wooden
work about that plrt Ct the building In flames
The tire was, however speedily cheeksd by tina police
before much damage done. Finally while few
policemen were holding tho rioters at bay, large rem
forcesn arrived from the Forty md Forty thisd,
Forty fourth and Filtieh precincts, and those in the
building wore elected whom general row occurred be
tween them and the police. Ieggo attacked oiicer
John Donrsy OF the Forty-thrd precinct, thinking he
going to arrest him. and rf ted serious wouad on
his hoad with the side OF box. Sergeant Wright got
badly cut during the in the shoulder with pitch
fork.
Al this luncturo voice cried out, Boy. set tho
bloody building fire and burn the damn nigsers
This received with the dest shouts OF arprova,
by tho crowd who again sargcd toward thu premises
with the intention OF carrying out the advice that hal
been givon them hut, notwithstanding the showers o.
Stones bfckbas, &c. the police piled their Clubs vigor
onsiy and the intention frustrated. Some one or
two OF tho negroes got badly hit the row but all e
rcst wore wo protected by the police, who sen, them
away 10 Ill directions 10 avoid lnrtlor trouble.
Tho following is another version Of the origin o, the
diffcuity -
About O'Clock yesterday white lgrl brought soine
drinking water TO workman In the factory when she
attacked by the negroes, who wanted TO take the
water from her by violence. 70 herself sheran up
to tho upper oor followed b three negroes which being
observed by white men they took the part of the
grl, when regular fight cnsdcd.
Another story IS That the white men thought their
rights abcrers ircrfc.ed with by the negroes
ssd consequently they attacked them but what we have
stated at the commencement appears to be the prime
Of the difficulty. The facilities which ncgrcc.
for gaining employment in the Navy Yard Csstom
House and other public places appear have lent adi
tionai ire to the people who made the attack
Tho following persons arrested as rioters and
locked up for oxaminaloo:-
Mlch,e Mcagher
William Morris.
John long.
+. Ksnau.
Charles Bakcr, the negro who wounded The oalcer.
Charles Bayiis.
Thomss Clark.
Joseph flood.
No indication OF renewal Of tho disturbance was appa
rsot whcn our reporter eft the scene
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