Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-03-19
IN. Detroit Riot A Fiendish Mob.


count of the negrophobist riot in that
city on Friday last. After detailing the at
tempt to seize and lynch the negro Faux
ner, as he was being taken to Jail, and the
firing of some random shots by the mill
tary guard, one of which killed one of the
assailants. the Free Press says:
"Bafaed in their attempt to rescue the
criminal, they sought other channels to
give vent TO their malice.
"The first house where q negro family
resided, one end Of which was used As 8
cooper shop, situated on Beaubien street.
was assaulted with bricks, paving stones
and clubs. About dozen negroes were
at work in the shop or stopping in the
house at the time. The most of them
were armed. and fired several shots into
the crowd from the windows, taking ef-
feet in several instances, but not fatally
ipjuring any one, as far as could be ascer-
tanned.
ssAs each shot from the negro hovel re-
verbrsted through the vicinity, the fand-
ishness of the mob became more mani
fest, and their desperation more dreadful.
The firearms in possession Of the negroes
deferred them from entering, for it would
have been almost certain death for any
man to attempt it. Any missile that
could be obtained was hurled at the rem
devious of the negroes, the windows and
doors burst open, and everything destroyed
which could be seen by those outside.
Finally, finding that they could not be
forced out of their hiding place il any
other manner, the match OF the incenGiary
was placed at one end of the building,
and in a very short time the flames spread
SO as to envelop almost the entire building.
The scene at this time was one that utter
ly battles description. With the building
perfect sheet of livid fame, and outside
crowd of blood-thirsty rioters, some of
whom were standing in the doors with re
volvers in their hands, waiting for their
victims to appear, it was a truly pitiable
and sickening sight.
"The poor wretches inside were almost
frantic with fright, undecided whether to
remain aRd die by means of the GevoUring
element, or suffer the almost certain ter
rble fate which awaited them at the hands
of the merciless crowd. There was 10
more mercy extended to the Suffering
creatures than would have been shown to
q rAttlesnake. No tears could move, no
supplications assuage the awful frenzy a0d
demonlscal spirit of revenge which had
taken possession of that mass of people.
One colored woman made her appearance
at the door with little child in her arms,
and appealed to the mob for mercy. The
monstrous fact must be told her fearful
appeals were met with shower of bricks,
stones and clubs, driving herself aud the
baby in her arms back into the burning
building. At this juncture one man,
moved to mercy at this cowardly and in
human act, rushed to her assistance, brave
ly and nobly protecting her person from
the violence which threatened her. But
the negroes found no such protection.-
They were driven gradually to the win
dows and doors, where they we're murder
ously assailed with every species OF weap-
ons, including axes, spades and clubs, aud
everything which could be used as a means
of attack. The frightened creatures were
almost insane with fright as their perse.
cutors were with madness. As they came
out they were beaten and bruised in a
terrible manner, their shrieks and grOans
only exciting the moo TO further exertions
in their brutal work. Several OF them
were knocked down with axes and left for
dead, but who afterwards recovered only
to be again Get upon and cruelty beaten to
insensibility.
"The scenes which followed were of a
similar nature. Old men, eighty years OF
age, were not in the least respected, but
knocked down with the same fendish
vludictiveness which characterized all the
18th e =,
first building had been reduced to ashes,
the appetite for arson had only been
whetted, and not at all appeased AS
night approached they grew bolder, and
did not scruple to commit the worst
crimes upon the calendar with perfect i'm
punity. The houses on Lafayette street,
between Beauben and st. Antoine, were
literally sacked of their contents, and the
furniture piled in the middle OF the street
and burned. Among the articles consti-
tuting the bonfres, large number of ma
steal instruments could be discovered.
base viols, violins, banjOes, guitars, accor-
deems, and almost every musical instru-
ment in existence. Feather beds were
ripped open and the contents scattered
over the streets, and everything totally
destroyed. Then, not satisfied with hav-
ing destroyed every vestige Of furniture,
the torch was applied to the buildings,
and nearly the whole of the entire block,
On boths sides of the street, was soon lev
eled to the ground. The steamers were
upon the spot promptly, but would only be
permitted to throw water Cd the houses of
white men, to prevent the confagration
from becoming general. The mob threat
ened that the engines would be torn to
pieces if they attempted to play upon any
other buildings than those designated. As
there was no room for doubt chat these
threats would be snmmarily executed, if
necessity compelled that course, it was
deemed proper to cater to the wishes Of
the mob in that respect"
The Free Press gives a long account of
additional outrages, the flight of the negro
population to Canada and to the woods,
the arrival of military companies, and the
gradual dispersal of the rioters late at
night of the same day.
This bloody and barbarous riot was
the direct result of the teachings of cop
perhead orators and editors.
Is SORGHUM a PROFITABLE CkOP.-A
farmer gives his own experience as an an