The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-03-18

COLUMBUS, March 7th, 1868

Edator Sp'ru OF democracy:
On Thursday night the 9TH inst. rude
mob in the garb of soldiers broke into
and destroyed the "Crisis Office belong
ing to Gov. Sam. Medary. Everything
was tumbled pell NELL into the streets.
While these cowardly desperadoes were
at their work of demolition in the alb
sence of the Governor, his daughter Mrs
Wilson heard Of the foul work that was
going on, and rushed into the room among
the rioters, and secured her fathers sub
scription books. The mob which 1 find
is variously estimated at from sixty totwo
hundred, ordered her to lay down the
books. She Immediately drew revolver
and 9denounced them as set of bastard
| ly towards, to thus come in the night in a
mans absence to destroy his property y
Tis true,' she said "that many of you
are dressed in the garb of soldiers, but
you are not worthy of the name-soldiers
are brave men, not towards such as you. y
Thus talking and acting she bore off the
books in triumph. Noble daughter of
noble sire: Vice la Mrs. Wilson-after
their work of destruction at the Crisis
Office the mob rushed to the Statesman
Office and broke in the doors, against this
was accomplished Gen. Cooper and some
policemen arrived and the mob fearing
detection C skedaddled.'
This much was learned of the affair on
yesterday morning by those who were at
home and in their beds. While we have
the following statement written by the
local Editor of the Ohio State Journal,
who from his own statement was present
and witnessed the whole affair-but to the
statement:
THE CRISIS OFFICE MoBBED.-Sam.
Medary's editorial rooms in the Crisis
Building were completely " cleaned out >
by mob of soldiers last night amounting
to two hundred in number. The destruc
tion of windows, doors, stoves, files,
shelves, books, etc., was complete. A
violent storm of snow at the time gave
lively .coloring to the scene. Medary had
gone to Cincinnati on the noon train yes
terday. The gang of soldiers crept softly
along on the snow till they came to the
office, which is situated on the corner of
High and Gay streets. They clrcied
around the door with fixed bayonets and
declared death on the man that interrupt
ed. The doors were first slowed in and
u 1 l., - tho tlo
files of corruption and treason were sent
by thousands into the streets. Theground
tor many rods around was loaded with IL e
contents of the office. The crowd was
disappointed at not finding any type, not
knowing that the composition aud press
work on the paper was done at the oftlce
of the State Printer, Richard Nev;ns.
When they were informed of this they
sailed forth to their work of destruction,
fand attacked with a heavy timber the
back door of the Statesn an press rooms,
where the ou'side of that sheet was being
| worked off, The first boz was not sufh-
cient to give them enterance and before
the second was made the police arrived on
| the spot and demonstrated till they de-
sisted.
Feeling little relieved, and fearing
some trouble. the soldiers now scattered
'.every one to his own way So far as
We could see there were but three or -four
citizens in the crowd.
| Gen. James Cooper was informed OF
the proceedings and arrived on the ground
soon after to look into things, but the
wreck was complete and the soldiers dis
persed. 4
The reunion and festival of the High
Street Methodist Church closed about the
time of the commencement of the affair
and many of the ladies were terrified a
the sight. 49, ~
| A large police force collected as soor
as it was known, and the Captain, Ed
Davis, assured Gen Cooper if he woult
take care of the offending soldiers, tn
police would look after the citizens en-
gagged.
/ The excitement on the streets becam
great. and crowds visited the ruins
Among all present, we heard not wor'
of sympathy for the Crisis save from three
one citizen, one police officer, and tn
other, the son of Mr.. Medary. At mid
!, night quiet was restored.
, When the people got hold of this loca
editorial in the Journal yesterday morn
! ing the dense mass begun to heave an
swell, and they moved by a power simila
to that which produces an earthquake
and the Journal was in quandary as t
, what would be its fate. Gov. Medary'
, son slapped the jaws of. the local of tn
Journal and his friends (Medary's) intel
fering prevented him from going up stai'
i and attending to the wants and necessitie
: of the Senior Editor-knowing Sam. N,
2-as I do to be truly humane and kin
7 + hearted man. l have no doubt but tn;
= he would have desisted when the chastis,
ment was sufficient to produce the neede
reformation. This letter is becomin
h lengthy and must close. h
y Gov. Medary was absent from home {
It Thursday night, when the outrageous a
cJa se "a. L.,