The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-03-14

instruments could be discovered-bass VOLS.
violins, banios, guitars, accordeons, and almost
every musical instrument in existence. Feather
beds we're ripped open and the contents scatter.
ed over the streets, and everything totally de.
stroyed. Then, not satisfied with having de.
stroyed every vestige Of furniture, the torch
was applied to the buildings, and nearly the
whole of the entire block, on both sides Of the
street. we're soon leveled to the ground. The
steamers we're upon the spot promptly, but
would only be permitted to throw water on the
houses of white men, to prevent the confagra.
ton from becoming general The mob threat
ened that the engines would be torn to pieces
II they attempted to play upon any other build
ings than those designated. As there was no
room for doubt that these threats would be
summarily executed, If necessity compelled that
course. it was deemed proper to cater to the
wishes OF the mob in thst respect.
The work of destruction then progressed with
fearful rapidity. No sooner was one building
burned than another was set on fire, some of
them being several blocks apart.
The notorious Patton Alley was entirely des-
troyed, as also we're several buildings in that
vicinity.
It was impossible last night to ascertain the
number of buildings destroyed, but it is safe to
say that they will aggregate not less than forty
or fifty. =
At about nine o'clock in the evening barn
was discovered on FIRE in the alley back of the
City HOTEL It was thought that the FIRE was
the work of an incendiary, though for what
reason it is impossible to say. The building in
which the fire originated was totally consumed,
and another building adjacent injured to con-
siderable exte.t.
The barn Of G. P. Crosby, on Larned street,
between Hastings and Rivard, was also destroy
ed by fire. How the fire originated is not known.
The opinion. however, prevails that it was pufe-
~ accidental.
About olcock the flames of the confagra.
ton illuminated the entire city, and appearances
seemed to indicate that the principal portion Of
the Third Ward was on fire and would be to-
tally destroyed. In a short time the mob, which
had previously been operating on Besubian
street, moved down nearer to the centre of the
city, and set on fire nest of old houses and
sheds on Brush, between Congress and Fort
streets. This caused the greatest alarm, for
fear that the valuable blocks of stores surround.
ing the market would become ignited from
sparks, which were constantly being blown
upon their roofs. The houses destroyed here
we're occupied by poor white people, who are
by this misfortune left entirely destitute. In
one Of them resided widow woman who sup
ported six child,en by her own unaided labors.
She barely saved herself and family alive, but
lost every vestige of her property, including
four dollars in money-all she had. Mr.. Gies,
the owner of the buildings, kindly provided a
lodging place for her and her children for the
night. ah s2aa
An hour or 90 previous to this, the authori-
ties, becoming alarmed, and feeling satisfied
that no force that could be mustered in Detroit
f4oSap - Al
or stop the outrages Of the rioters, telegraphed
Ypsilanti, requesting him to forward battal-
ion Of his men, by special train, to assist in
dispensing the mob. About this time dispatch
was received, stating that the request Of the
city officials lad been complied with, and that
five companies were on the way. This news,
together with the appearance of several squads
Of armed men in various parts of the city, had
no influence in overawing the crowd, but rath-
er tended to increase their rage and activity.
The fire bells now sounded an alarm for the
First Ward, and q couple of steam engines start.
ed for the place indicated, followed by large
portion of the mob. The crowd upon arriving,
discovered negro carrying water from neigh.
boring house, when they Immediately raised the
cry of 'Niggerp 'Nigger ? aud attempted to lay
hold of him, but he managed to get beyond
their reach. fr
Great alarm and distress prevailed every
where. as these fires successfully burst forth,
and in some localities the citizens armed them
selves and turned out to protect their families
and property.
After the last fire had been exringuished, the
rioters suddenly dispersed, completely worn out
and dispirited by their labors.
The colored population of the city, frightened
and d;ok.sotod hn..;od feou, <ha nah ~
in every direction, large number going over
the river to Canada, while many actually fed to
the woods With their wives and little Ones
They were perfectly panio-stricken, and ran
hither and thither. Those who did not leave
the city huddled themselves together in the
kitchens and out.houses of the buildings sdjoin>
ing the places where the riotous proceedings
we're had.
Toward evening it became apparent that, I'M
lees some extraordinary measures were taken q
once, great disasters would result to the city,
F. b. Phelps, acting Mayor, Immediately estab-
lished his headquarters ct the Mayors Office and
issued an o:der calling out the military. The
27th regiment, at Ypsilanti, was telegraphed for,
the regulars at the Fort were sent for, and all
the independent military companies in the city
were ordered out. With commendable prompt.
ness, at nine o'clock, detachment of the 9Th
consisting OF companies A, ., ", ana u, num-
bering about four hundred men, under command
of Col Fox and Lieut. Col Richardson, arrived
and reported at headquarters They were i'm
medistely sent to the scene of the riot to dis
perse the crowd. About o'clock, the Ligh,
Guard were upon the street, fifty strong, and
rendered efficient service patrolling the streets
in the region Of the city where the area were oc
curing and where the crowds we're the most
dense. The Lyon Guard we're also on hand, and
had the important task Of holding the Jail and
premises secure against invasion. Company A,
of the Scott Guard, we're out in force, and pre-
vented the destruction of much valuable pro-
perry in the upper portion of the city. A COM
psny of fifty regulars from Fort Wayne, with
two brass pieces, did much toward dispensing
the crowd.
Gradually the excitement died away, the firel
became less numerous, and the crowds began te
dispense. By IL o'clock, all was again quiet
and the streets were deserted. The Mayor. deem
ing it important to provide against any more
demonstrations during the night, issued an order
for the establishment of a patrol guard upor
every street in the city, with orders to arres,
every straggler.
The 9th was divided into eight patrol squads
properly Offered and provided with ammuni-