The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-04-08
The Illinois Riot.
arm account cCi Origin-Progrcs and
Conei"'ion-7he Copperhedds Suppressed
Quit Restored.

CHARLESTON, March 3lst, 1864.
This afternoon u dreadful affair took plac
in our town-tho most shocking in its do
tails that has over occurred in our part O
tho State. Early in the morning, squads o
Cop perheads came in town. from variou
directions, and, as tho sequel will show
armed and determined upon ven
Ecanco upon our soldiers. During tho day
prcmonitions of tho coming trouble wore toe
evident. Some of tho soldiers, about tc
return to their regiments, wero somewhat
excited by liquor, and consequently rather
boistorous. but not 5elligcront-woro more
disposed for fun than fight. About 4 o'clock
n soldier, Oliver Sallco. stopped up to Mel.
son VOLS, who has been regarded as the
loader of tho Coppcrhcads ia this county
and placing his hand good. naturedly against
him, playfuIly asked him if tbcro wcro any
Coppcrhoads in town Wells replied
YES God G-n you, | attn ono |" and draw
ing his revOlyor, shot at Sallee. but missed
him. In an instant Sallco was shot from
'"''N ~ 'N''V', W lCll, DuI TuISlUP ulIn
self up, hG fired at Wells, tho ball taking ef-
ioct in his yitals. He (Wclls) went as far
as Chambers s. McCrory's store, and passing
in, fell dead. The Coppcrbcads wore ga,h.
cred behind Judge Edwards office, loading
thcir fire rms, and thcn would step out
and fro from the corner at tho soldiers in
Discriminatory, with guns md revolvers -
OF course, having come fully prepared they
bad vastly tho advantage over tho soldiers,
VINO wore not expecting such an attack, and
"oro, for tho most part unarmcd. Those
who were armed would hardly know at
whom to fire until they were fired upon.
The Copporhcads were seen to hurry to
their wagons, bitched at tho SQUARE. and
gather thorcfrom several guns, which were
concealed under the straw. They were
frooly used and with terrible effect. Thorn
ms Joifrios was tho next to fall, receiving an
ugly wound in tho neck. WIN. Gilman was
shot by Il. f.. Dukes, tho bail striking a rib
on his loft sidc and glanced off. Dukes was
then seen to fire at Colonel Mitchell, md
afterwards declared that he had killed him.
Colonel Mitchell received several shots
through his clothes; ono hit his watch md
glanced off, producing only n Sigh, flesh
wound upon his abdomen. Tho watch thus.
providentially, saved his life. DR.. York
surgeon of tho Bah Illinois, while passing
through tho Court House. was approached
by some ono from behind, who took delhi.
erato aim, and shot him dead-the pistol
being hold so close to him that tho powder
burned his coat! So TAR as we can learn
DIR. York was not actively engaged in the
niiray, save in his professional capacity ms
Surgeon, and in trying to restore order. A
soldier, Alfred Swim, of Company G, 54,h
Illinois, was shot, and taken to Drs. Alien
" Van Mocter's office, whore no soon died.
Mr.. Swim lived somewhere near Casey. in
CLARK county, where no leaves a vito and
three children. Ito is spoken of by all as
having been an oScellont soldier and n good
citizen. Wm. G.. Hart, Deputy Provost
Marshal, was shot in several places, in tho
head and yitals his wounds arc probably
mortal, James Goodrich, Company C, 45th
Illinois. received a shocking wound boinp
shot in tho bowels, his wound, we fear. will
Prove mortal.
About five O'Clock tho roinforcomonts
rom NATION arrived and whilo in tho
ilourt yard, Mr.. John Cooper, fro m
salisbury, was captured and brought in as
prisoner by Mr.. w. A. Moo and a soldier.
T.. had takon an active part in tho af-
Tray. When in front of jenkins store. he
attempted to escape, and when commanded
to halt refused to do so whoraupon Mr.,
moo Hired over CoOpor's head, who in return
at somo of our mon, when orders were
g ven to fro upon him, which was done. and
fell dead at jenkins door. Unfortunate.
y ono OF tho balls passed through tho closed
ioor ana struck MIR. John jenkins in the
5roin' producing, n serious, and probably
mortal wound. Mr.. Cooper was sho,
tho neck and shoulder. When tho
Copperheads were halted noar Mrs. Dick
sons. no was heard to say that as thoy
now had no loader, he was roady to load
them back and kill tho id soldiers and
Durn the town or do in the attempt; and
At various places no was heard to threaten
70 cut ont tho hearts of tho id Adolf.
and use kindred expressions.
unarmoI as our boys were, Colonel
soon ralliod all no could, and i'm
proylsing such arms as could be had. gath.
ored at tho south west corner OF the Square.
as tho Copporhcads reiterated down tho
'troet running cast thorcfrom. Dispatches
were sent to Nation for soldiers, and three
hnnurod were soon on tho way. The COP.
halted somewhere near Mrs. Dick
sons and remained for some time. tbon
turned aud won't off. Beyond j. II. OTlair's
thoy gathered together, consulted
Tor Il time, aud then moved off in a ncrth.
'as'orIy direction, cutting tho telegraph
wire as thoy wont-uuiortunatoly before n
1lspatch could ba sent to DIR. York's family
Paris, giving notice Of his assassination.
HOW many 'hore were of tho Copporhoads
DO not know, nor can wo estimate the
number, save by the sizo OF tho squads that
in several directions. We think
here may have boon from 100 to 100 all I,