The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1864-12-24
at Watertown, New
York "A Drunken Ser
geant Orders Men to Shoot
4 Peaceable Citizen.

infantry, in charge of Lieutenant Houla-
han, camo to this place to take the cars
for Oswcgo' They arrived about noon.
During the afternoon they INDUCED in
drink quite freley and became quarrel
some. About g o'clock, while in the
lower saloon of the Woodruff House,
maltreatcd a member Of their company
quite an old man-they were expos.
tulated with by Alexandria Neal From
abusive words, the soldiers soon resorted
to blows. Ncil in self defence knocked
several Of them down. The bartender
came to assistance and soon the room
was cleared. This, it was thought,
would be an end to the affair; but in a
few minutes two Of the soldiers appeared
at the door with muskcts. Neil and the
bartender apprehending more serious
trouble started for the hall outside Of
the saloon. Just then the Sergeant
made his appearance, and said to the
soldiers; "There is the Id,
shoot him." Ono of the soldiers fired,
The ball struck Neil in the left breast
near the nipple, and passed through his
heart and lungs, and entirely through
his chest. The death dealing missile
lodged in the rear of the bar, breaking
some bottles in its course. Neil walk d
to the hall, distance of about fifteen
feet, when he fell and instantly expired.
Thus tragically ended the life Of Alex.
Neil. His age was about twenty one or
two years. lie bore an excellent repu-
tation for sobricty, strict attention to his
business, and for his habitually quiet de.
meanor. His presence in the saloon
was on a matter of business. He was in
the employ of +. B. Schranl, Esq, who
was witness Of the tragedy, and sim
cerely mourns his untimely DEATH
The soldier who fired the fatal shot
was soon arrested, handcuffed and i'm.
prisoned. The balance of the squad
took possession of the sidewalks on the
north side of the public square, and un-
der the direction of their lieutenant, a
number of our citizens were assaulted,
one arrested and placed under guard,
and a genuine reign of terror inaugura-
ted. 1t being near the time for the train
to leave, they proceeded to the railroad
depot, of which they took possession,
and defied any one to arrest them. In
the meantime the train had arrived -
Precautions were at once taken to
prevent their possession OF the cars and
engine, by locking the doors of the for
mcr, and uncoupling the latter aud SEN
ding it down the track. While they
held the depot, was at the peril Of life
that any one entered it. They threat
cned to fire into the crowd Of passen-
gers aud citizens around the depot, and
carried their threat into execution by
firing at Mr.. +. Stockwell, the charge
passing near his head. All these pro.
cecdings created an intense excitement
iu the village. The civil authority were
powerlcss to arrest those armed reckless
dcsperadoes' Finally file Of twenty
men of the veteran reserve corps, under
the command Of Lieutenant Dimmick
upon the roquisition of the sheriff
marched to the depot and arrested them
The, with their lieutenant were soop
lodged in the cells of the country Jail.
Our community then experienced feel
ing of relief; but their Indignation was
not appcasod, and for time there werc
strong indications that "Judge Lynch
would establish his court, and order
summary proceedings. But respect foi
law and order prevailed, and the often
dors were left in the hands of tho civil
authorities, by whom they were arrcs
ted, and are to be tried.
We understand that the soldiers or
their way here from Sackett's Harbor
manifested the same reckless disregar
, ded Of human life which eliminated il
the death of young Neil. Among othel
acts, VIC learn that on stopping at the ole
Blanchard House, Mr.. Terry highly
respectable collored man, living in tina
vicinity, they proposed to carry into af
feet certain proceedings which he esca
ped By mounting his horse and putting
him to the top of his speed. As he wa
leaving one Of the soldiers fred at him
: but missed his aim There are rumor
of other desperate deeds committed BY
9 them, but which VIC will not record
Such are the outlines of the most reck
! less, lawless, tragical affair that ever oc
CURED iu our village II would not, O
: course, be proper for us, in advance O
judicial proceedings, to characterize tn
, crimo which resulted 10 the death Q
Mr.. Neil. While we are writing thi
4 (on Wednesday afteraoon,) the corono
: aud his jury are holding an inquest o
G the body of the deceased. We expcc
before going to press to announce tn
. verdict; but it has not at the presen
writing been rendered. Upon the na
1 turc of the verdict will probably depen
5 in great measure, the character of fu
turo legal proceedings RGter.OW
onion.
From tie Warren Maj