The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-03-18
= FFromthe Detroit Free l,resss] p.
"A BLOODY RIOT
THE PROVOST G UARD FIRE UPON
. A DEFENCELESS CROWD. {
One man killed and many
Wounded.
THE GREATEST EXCITEMENT THAT MAS
EVER KNOWN IN DETROIT.

THE GREATEST EXCITEMENT THAT MAS
EVER KNOWN IN DETROIT.
Yesterday was the bloodiest day that
ever dawned upon Detroit. The feeling
of revenge and hatred which had been
engendered by the late outrage on the
person of little orphan girl eliminated
in the most brutal and bloody riot that
ever disgraced any community Early in
the morning the symptoms of the riot be-
gan to be manifest themselves, growing
stronger as the day progressed, until the
final eruption and fatal and disastrous
consequences which resulted. It seemed
as though the minds of the men who con-
stituted the vast crowd which assembled
in and around the City Hall in the fore
noon were bent on murderous mischief.
They were resolved that the negro Faulk-
ner should forfeit his life at their hands,
be his verdict and sentence what it
might. - aF sis5
Up to twelve o'clock, noon, no distur-
bance of a serious nature had occurred.
At about half-past twelve, after the ad-
journment of the Court, the clouds which
portended the coming storm began to
gather. The mob first inaugurated the
day by petty prosecutions of and negroes
who Glanced to come in the vicinity Of
the City Hall. Any of that unfortunate
race who happened along were subjected
to kicks, cuffs and blows, and were liable
to be butchered upon the streets. Even
women and children were not. exempt,
several of them being abused in a most
shameful and outrageous manner.
These proceedings confined without in
terruption until the assembling of the
Court when all who could obtain ingress
into the hall, did so, and the street be-
came comparatively quiet. But it was a
quit that nurtured rather than diminish
ed the fierce passions of the enraged and
uncomfortable men who had set them
selves up in defiance OF the law. Even
in the very halls of justice there were
grave apprchensions. that violcnse would
be committed.
In order to quell the disturbance, and
to deliver the prisoner safe to the jailor,
the Detroit Provost Guard hnd been or
dercd to escort him to the jail. Their
in front Of the City Hall was greeted By
became more excited as the pro ospect OF
gratifying their blood thirsty vengeance
upon the negro became less favorable
The Guard formed in line upon Monroe
avenue. and every thing being prepared
for vigorous defense, Faulkner was led
down by the officers into the street As
the mob got sight of their intended vic
tim, the yells, groans and misses were al
most deaiening, and nothing but the fixed
bayonets of the soldiers could have pre-
vented them from rushing upon and tear
ing him in pieces. Aud it was with
great difficulty they were kept back The
throng OF the people which ollowed the
prisoner to the Jail, was immense, and
could only be estimated by thousands.
1t was not until they had neared the
| Jail the riot commenced in earnest. Not
withstanding the array of flashing bay
onets, and the danger of being shot down
in the attempt a large number of the ri
oters simultaneously rushed for the pris-
oner. and came very near rescuing him.
But he was got into the prison inclosure
urharmed, without single sacrifice. All
would have been we'll, and the mob would
have soon dispersed, had it not been for
for wanton and malicious act of certain
members of the Provost Guard toward
the exasperated citizens. Without or
ders from any reliable authority, "a mum
| Der Of random shots were fired promis-
cuously into the crowd, several of them
| taking effect, one man, Charles Laugcr
being instantly killed-shot through the
heart.
The Provost Guard, after this display
then hurried back to the basracks, leaving
the crowd to dispere at their leisure.
The greatest excitement reigned after
this time the details of which we have
not space for, Many were killed and
wounded and about twenty houses burned
in different parts of the City, Below We
give "a dispatch of next-day.-Ei. %
Spirit.
.aa From Detroit. asaN
| Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Times ]
DETROIT, MIcH., Mlrch7.
The most intense excitement has pre-
vailed in the city to-day over the late
bleody riot, and crowds of rioters have
been parading the streets, only kept il
subjection by the large military fore.
! here. AIS ~ 47a..5
The negro Faulkner was sent to the
State Prison at Jackson by a, special
train before daylight this morning, and
no attempt to lynch him was made
A telegram has been received in the
NJ II ~