The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-10
A FREE FIGHT GENERALLY.
II w o NJ H N = II O Il

Last evening, between eight and nine o'clock,
a riot occurred in South Camden, which, for the
time being, was Of most formidable character
and which threatened to terminate in a serious
loss Of life. The facts as near as VIC can ascer-
tain, are as fOllows:- -
At about quarter after 8 O'Clock n colorcd
woman who was engaged in selling boiled corn,
or "hot corn as it 10 generally denOm-
mated, was approached at Third and Spruce
streets, by white man, whose name we were
unable to ascertain, who purchased an ear or two
of the edible, and after taking a nibblc of the
corn, made some remarks detrimental to the
quality of the article, and furthermore eviuced
his dispeasure by kicking over the bucket, scat
tering its contents upon the pavement. This,
as may be SurmiSed fearfully rled the elua-
nimity of Aunt Dinah, who Immediately struck
at the man, and then moved Off post haste to ac-
quaint her friends with the outrage which had
been perpetrated upon her.
In few minutes there was a large gathering of
coorcd folks, one of whom perccivng the fellow
who had made the attack, engaged him in q
fight. Then commenced the rumpus. The blacks
Turned out by scores-men, women, and chill
dTen-some -four colOred sailors, belonging TO the
frigate PrHcetOn, who were in the vicinity at the
time, hastcncd to the rescue of their brethren
and as by this hour a number of white persons
had hastencd to the scene, the fight became
general.
Those "bloods" of Camden who had been wit
nesses of the cricket match, which has been going
on for some days past in Camden supposing the
fight to be a free one, also presented themselves
upon the ground, and some of them being pretty
well filed with the ardent event in," regardless
of consequences.
By this time number of policemen arrived at
the scene of conflict. Bricks and paving stones
were flying in all directions, and towards
o'clock, pistol or gunshot being heard, the fight
became quite intense in its character. A number
of the blacks had barricaded themselves in their
houses, and from the lOophOles of windows and
from the TOOt-tODg bricks descended uuitn plpnti-
fully.
Information of the extent of the riot being
conveyed to his Honor the Mayor, Paul c. Budd,
Esq, that gentleman, together with the Marshal
of Police, John w. Campbell and posse OF
policemen, instantly repaired 10 the neghbOr-
hood Of Third and Spruce Streets
The Mayor, making his way through the dense
crowd, now augmented TO some four hundred
persons, whites and blacks, demanded cessation
of hostllities His Honor also presented himself
at the door Of one Of the tenements from which
bricks were being thrown, and applied for adms-
sion. This was at first refused but the Occu-
pants, on being assured that no harm would be
done them, opened the door, and some arrests
were made. Other houses were visited in like
manner by the police, and several other arrests
were made.
Still the fight in the streets continued, being
running In It's character however, and confined
TO the block between Second street and the Della
ware river. To make the matter still worse the
fire bell Of the States Engine, Camden, COM
course, served TO increase the excitement. The
night was dark, and it was impossible for the
police to ascertain who were the ringleaders in the
affair, or who were contributing towards prolong
ing it.
Towards 10 o'clock, however, the Mayor,
assisted by the police, got the rioters at bay, and
the fight was discontinued. Occasionally brick
or paving stone would whiZz over the heads Of
the crowd, or the crash of a broken window pane
would rise above the tumut of the mob. BY half
past 10 o'clock the last brick had been "throw-
ed"-the crowd had been partially dispersed, aud
the rioters were marched of TO the station house.
Nine persons were arrested, two Of whom are
whites. One of the ioters Is young mulatto
woman named Elizabeth Mitchell. This woman
struck officer Charles Gilbert over the head with
porter bottle, infiicting quite an ugly looking
wound. officer VIM. IL. Hawkins was also badly
hurt abOut the head by brick thrown by one Of
the rioters. The names of the rioters arrested
are as follows WIN. Hamilton, James Simpson,
Joseph Gibbs, Philip Gibbs, John Williams,
Henry Gray John Laws, Elizabeth Mitchell,
jackson Price (white), and Richard Fellows, u
white boy,
young man by the name of Humphreys was
Shot in the wrist, and two negroes are also re-
ported TO have been wounded.
The negro, John Laws when the police entered
one Of the hsuses, jumped from the roof OF one
house 10 that OF another, occupied by man
named Thomas. The transfer being accomplished
by q flight a la Rarel, through an open window.
He was subsequently captured under bed, IN
In one house an axe was found under the table,
on the first floor in a second a quantity of am
munitiOn while bricks and paving stones were
discovered in almost all the houses occupied by
the negroes.
The block Of houses on Spruce street, between
Second and Third, are almost entirely occupied
by cOlored persons The occupants bear the re-
putstion OF being very peaceable in their dispo-
siton, and it is supposed that nothing but the
prevalent opinion among the blacks that gene
raj attack was being made upon them, would have
Occasioned such an exhibition.
1t is also stated that one of the cOl0red sailors
Of the Princeton was the person who made the
attack upon the colored woman, and that in the
confusion the whites were supposed 10 be the ag-
gTessors Mayor Budd informed us this morning
that at one time the riot assumed a most serious
character, and 1t was feared that great bloodshed
would ensue.
Much credit is due to the Mayor and his Off
GERS for the energy they displayed in quelling the
riot There is a Tumor afioat that the last nights
proceedings will be re-enRcted tonight but
every preparation has been made by the Mayor
and the Marshal Of the Police 10 prevent such
an occurrence.
The rioters will have hearing this afternoon,
at two O'Clock, at the Mayors office.
THANKsoIyIHG.-There will be special thanks
giving in all the churches tomorrow, In accord
ance with the recommendation Of the President,
| in Acknowledgement Of the Divine favor YOUch-
l safed In the recent glorious victories.