Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-11-22
From the Wisconsin State Journal, Nov. II. E
MORE MOB VIOLENCE.
Washington County Resists the Draft.

The example of the mob in Ozaukee and
Milwaukee has proved contagious. and
Washington county was yesterday the
scene OF most disgraceful and riotous re.
sistance to law and order.
The Draft Commissioner, Mr.. E. II.
Gibson, who narrowly escaped with his
HE, arrived here this morning. From
him we learn the following particulars:
On Monday he commenced making the
graft at West Bend, employing little
glri ABOUT eight years OF age to draw the
ballots. The proceedings went on during
Monday without interruption. Good feel
Ing prevailed, and there was no Indication
OF any disturbance. The draft for Barton,
Pennington, Jackson, Kewascum, and
West Bend was completed. , t T.
The following morning, the news of the
riot at Ozsukee and the success of the
mob there, and the rotous proceedings in
Milwaukee with the postponement OF the
draft in that city, was received and pre-
duced great excitement. The Court
House was densely packed with Germans,
and the prospect ahead was threatening.
MIR. Gibson resumed his duties, and went
on to make the draft for the town of Tren-
ton. Just as he had completed the draw
ing fer that town, the whole assemblage
united in giving one of the most unearthly
bowls. Mr.. G. says he never heard any
thing like it. 1t was the signal of the
determination of the masses to follow the
example of Ozaukee. B. s. We'll, who
was standing by, endeavored to assure
the commissioner, and expressed the opin-
ion that there would be no serious diff
Guilty. ---.--
Sheriff WEIMAR addressed the crowd in
German, and acted noblv in endeavoring
TO secure submission to the laws. But his
efforts We're OF no avail. Finding the des-
pcrate spirit that prevailed among his
hearers, he hurried'y whispered to GIBSON,
For Gods sake get out Of the Court
House as soon as possible" gibson start
ed. and with the little girl, who was
frightened nearly out of her senses, sue
ceeded in getting out OF the House, before
the crowd seemed precisely determined as
to the course they would pursue. He bur-
ried in the direction of Mr. L. f. FRI~BY'
office, and had nearly reached it when he
was overtaken, about eighty rods from the
Court House by fifteen or twenty excited
men. One caught him by the throat,
another by his watch guard, and another
struck him a heavy blow in the right side
with q stone o. the size Of mans two fists.
They told him to give up the rolls contain.
ing the list of men subject to draft, or
they would murder him on the spot. He
replied that the sheriff had them. They
called him id liar and renewed their
threats. In the meantime the crowd in
creased to the number of about $50. MIR.
GIBSON continued to expostulate with
them, and in the meantime to move back
ward to FRIsBY's Office, hoping that FRIs-
BY, (who had been drafted) and his part
ner, PAUL We'll, a German Of influence,
might do something towards pacifying the
mob. He finally got to the steps Of FRS
BY's Office, but several powerful men inter-
posed between him and the entrance.
Meantime, gibson addressed the crowd in
the most earnest terms he could, speaking
as man would whose life was in peril.
FRIsBY came out and did his utmost to ap
pease the tnmult.
PAUL We'll followed him, and as he
came forward pushed GIBSON into the Of
flee telling him to escape by the back
door. Two strong men stood guarding
the front door and watching gibson. He
called to friend in the Office saying he
into the back room, only partly closing
the door, and at once escaped by the back
way. With his overcoat and loaded re-
volver he made the best speed his legs
were capable of. After going a little way
in plain sight of the crowd, who were
absorbed in watching the front door Of
FRIsBY's office, be met some Americans
who told him lie would find fast horse
tied half mile distant, back of swamp,
III the woods.
He was not long in reaching the horse,
which he mounted ard made tor Hartford
at the top of his speed. When near that
place he met FIVE or six men on horse
back armed with clubs, going in the direc-
ton of West Bend. They called to him.
Are yon running away from the
draft ?"
mo, but they are drafting you right
fast up at West Bend"
"By God, We'll see about that" they
replied, and put spurs to their horses.
Mr.. gibson reached Hartford in time to
get aboard the train, and at once proceed
ed to Milwaukee He is an old resident
of Washington county, aud has hitherto
been ore of the most Influential men there.
He felt confident of being able to make
the draft, and of preventing any out
break but tbe news from Ozankee mad
dened and emboldened the Germans be-
yond all control. Mr.. G. resides at New
burgh in that county. He expects to hear
that his house has been destroyed, and his
family insulted and outraged. These high
handed proceedings call for, and will we
doubt not receive, prompt and vigorous
action on the part of the Executive.