The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-03-18
Barbarous Assault on Negro Houses
CITY FIRED IN TWENTY PLACES.
The Military Called Out to
Quell the Riot.


The Military Called Out "a
Queli the Riot.
The following particulars of the late terrible riot
in Detroit telegraphc report of which was given
in our last issue, we Gull from long account of
the tragedy, in the Detroit IRE, Press
A negro named Faulkner, was ON trial for re.
volung outrage against the person of u little white
girl. The case had caused much excitement
which eliminated Friday when the case ter
minated by verdict of guilty. The prisoner was
Immediately sentenced 70 suffer the full penalty Vi
the law--imprisonment for life. A vast crowd had
been gathering around the City Hall all day, re.
solved that Faulkner should suffer death, let the
vsrdict be what II might. Every negro who
showed himself in the streets, was kicked and
cuted, and often times worse used. Even women
aud children were sometimes abused in the most
shameful and outrageous manner.
In order to quell the disturbance, and to de-
liver the prisoner safe TO the tailor, the Detroit
Provos; guard had been ordered to escort him to
the Jail.
= Everything being prepared for vigorous defense,
Faulkner was led down bv the officers into the street
AS the mob got sight Of their intended victim, the
yells groans and hisses were almost dcateniug and
nothing but the fixed bayonets OF the soldiets could
have prevented them from rushing upon and tear
ing him III pieces and il was with grpat difficulty
they were kept back. The throug OF people which
followed the prisoner to the Jail was Immense, and
could only be estimated by thousands.
IL was not until they had neared the Jail that the
riot commenced IN earnest. Notwithstanding the
array OF flashing bayonets, and the danger of be
ing shot down in the attempt large number of
the rioters simultaneously rushed for the prisoner
and came very noar rescuing him. But he was
got into the prison inclosurc unharmed, without
single sacrifice.
The guard fired into the crowd, woundiug sew
eral and killing a man named Charles LANCER.
The guard afterwards returned to the barracks
and the excited crowd, bated IN their attempts on
the prisoner sought other channels 10 give vent to
their malice.
The first house where negro family resided
one end OF which was used cooper shop, situ-
ated on Beaubien street, was assaulted with bricks
paving stones, and clubs. About dozen nCgIues
were at work III the shop or stopping nj the time.
The most OF them were armed, and fired several
shots into the crowd from the windows taking
effect in several instances, but not fatally iniurng
any one as far as could b. ascertaincd.
AS each shot from the negro hovel revcrbcrated
through the vicinity, the cndiShness of the mob be-
came more manifest, and their desperation more
dreadful The rcarps in possession Of tho ne
grooS deferred them from entering for il would
have been almost certain death for any man to at
tempt 1t. Any missile that could be obtained was
hurled at the rendezvous of the negroes, thcd win
dows 9nd doors burst open, and everything de
stroycd which could be seen by those outside. Fl
nally finding they could not be forced out of their
hiding place in any other manner, the match of the
incendiary was placed at end of the building,
and in very short time the flames spread To
cnvelop almost the entire building The scene at
this time Was one that utterly battles description
With the building perfect sheet of liyid flame,
and outside crowd of bloodthrsty rioters some of
whom were standing ut the doors with rcvovers in
their hands, waiting for their victims to appear it
was truly pitiable and sickenng sight. The poor
wrctches inside were almost frantic with fright,
undecided whether to remain and die by means of
the devouring element or suffer the almost certain
terrible fate which awaited them ut the hands Of
the mercess crowd. There was no more mercy
extended to the suffering creatures than would
have been shown tu rattlesnake No tears could
move, no Supplioatons asSuage the awful frenzy
and demoniacal spirit of revenge which had taken
possession of that mass of people. One cOlOrcd
woman made her appearance at the door with a
little child IN her arms, and appealed to the mob
for mercy. The munstrouS fact must be told, that
her fearful appeals were met with II shower of
bricks, stones and clubs, driving herself and babe
III her arms back into the burning building. At
this Juucture, one man, moved To mercy nt this
and inhuman act rushed to her assistance
bravely and nobly protecting her persgn from the |
violence which threatened her. But the negroes
found no such protection. They were driven grad |
ual V TO the windows and doors, where they were
assaed with every species of weap-
ons, including axes, spades and clubs, and every
The frightened creatures were almost as insane
with terror as their prosecutors with mad I
ness. AS they came out they were beaten and !
bruised ina terrible manner, their shrieks and
groans only exciting the mob to further cycrtons
in their brutal work. Several of them were
knocked down with axes and left for dead but who
recovered only to be again set upon, |
and cruelty beaten TO insensibiliy.
The scenes which followed were of similar ma |
ture. Old men, eighty years of age, were not in
fba h,,tE bad ,t.;. ,I,
same tiendish vindictivenoss which characterized |
all the other proceedings Of the day. After the |
first building had been reduced to ashes the appe-
tite for had only been whetted and not at all
nppeased. As night approached they grew bolder,
and did not scruple To commit the worst crimes |
upon the calendar with perfect impuuity. The |
houses on Lafayette street. between Beaubien and |
81. Antoine were literally sacked of their contents
and the furniture piled in the middle Of the street
and burned Among the articles constituting the |
Donfres, large number Of musical instruments |
could be discovered viOlins, banjos, guitars |
lccOrdeons, and almost every musical instrument |
N existence. Feather-beds were ripped open !
md scattered over the Streets and everything val
lable totally destroyed. Then, not satisfied with |
having destroyed every vestige of furniture, the |
orch was applied to the buildings, and nearly |
he entire block on both sides of the street, was
oon leveled to the ground. The steamers were
lPon the spot promptly, but would only be per-
nitted to throw water on tho houses of white men
o prevent the conhagrationfrom becoming general.
rhe mob threatened that the engines would be torn
o pieces if they attempted 10 play upon any other
buildings than those designated. AS there was no
Oom for doubt that these threats would be sum
narily executed, il necessity compelled that COURSE
was deemed proper to cater to the wishes of the |
mob in that respect.
The work of destruction progressed with fearful |
apidity. No sooner was one building burned than |
mother was set on fire, some of them being several
blocks apart.
The notorious atom alley was totally destrnyed
IS also were several buildings in that vicinity
1t was impossible last night TO ascertain the num-
Of buildings destroyed, but it is safe say that
hey will aggregrate not less than forty or fifty.
At about nine o'clock in the evening barn was
discovered to be on fire in the alley back ofthe CITY
iotel. II was thought that the fire was the work
# an incendiary, though for what reason il was i'm
'ossible to say. The building in which the fire
riginated was totally consumed, and another
building adjacent injured to a considerable extent.
The barn OF Z. 7. Crosby, on Larned street, be-
ween Hastings and Rivard, was also destroyed by
Ire. How the fire originated is not known. The
pinion, however, prevails that it was purely
occidental.
About seven O'Clock the flames of the conhagra-
ion illuminated the entire city, and appearances
eemcd to indicate that the principal portion of the
'hird Ward was on fire and would be totally de-
troyed. In short time the mob, which had pre-
-ously been operating on Beauben street, moved
own nearer 70 the center Of the city, aud
ct on fire n nest OF old houses and sheds
n Brush between Congress and Fort streets
This caused the greatest alarm, for fear tine
'ocks of business houses surrounding the market
would become ignited from sparks, which were
Onstanty being blown upon their roofs The
lOuses destroyed here were occupied by poor white
eople who by this misfortune left entirely des-
itute.
An hour or so previous TO this, tho authorities,
alarmed, and feeling satisfied that no
orce that dould be mustered in Detroit would be