The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-08-07
The New Orleans Riot.
FURTHER DETAILS.


the previous day, and the bloody scenes which
followed. We transfer the most interesting
parts of the accC unit to our rcolumns,-remark-
ing that the times is in full sympathy with the
opponents of the convention. After an ac-
count of the organization of the convention
the account proceeds: l'l
1t was during the recess that the mass Of
eoloTed men who were outside the bar were
admitted to the inside of the chamber
simultaneously with the adoption of the
motion to take recess, a band heading 1--WE
understand) procession of negroes, came up
Philippa from Canal street, and was received
by the black crowd outside with the widest
and most exciting cheering. The excitement
was communicated to those assembled inside
the lobbies, and the cheers from the street
were responded to. i -.- Y.og
In moment afterward the baud marched
into the representative hall where the conven-
ton members met, and it was stated difficult
ty had occurred on Canal street.
rf.l -..t TILE RIOT BEGUN.
While this event was being discussed tu-
multuous shout arose from the street and
rushing to the windows on the Canal street
side OF the building, we saw about dozen
negroes standing at a brick pile, throwing
these missiles in the direction of Canal street.
WiutC GhC ksbDpcllCIltlJ lcducISl were DrllQ re-
volvers. Other shots were being fired from
the front Of Mechanics Institute, but the
crowd here was out of range OF our vision.
In probably minute half the negroes fel
back, and the police and citizens came in sighH
having up to this time been hidden from view
by new building that is going up next the
hall
Bullets and bricks now rained through the
hall, and few were returned; but as the
windows opened to the floor little protection
could be had from behind which to Shoot
The main crowd gathered in the centre of
the room but we are unable to give discrip-
ton of the fearful, excitable scene
We got away, and what followed no pen
can tell. The blood splashed walls, the mass
es OF clotted gore, the wrecked furniture, and
other evidences of mob passions, tell fearful
story which is sickening now to think Of
THE RIOT IN THE STREET
AT this moment the attention of our re-
porter was attr lcted by loud cries rapidly re-
peated, and, in looking out OF the window,
he saw police officer, in the uniform of the
force. dragging off prisoner.
AT first there seemed no disposition on the
part OF the negro throng to interfere with the
policeman in the arrest OF the prisoner: the
negroes, atirighted, packing themselves close
together much as a flock OF scared sheep.
But one or two, followed by three or four,
parted from the outskirts OF the mass and adj
vanced ste1diIy towards the policeman, who,
with his prisoner, had approached the old
fence that closes in the Mechanics Institute.
The excitement became contagious The ne
groe, scatter and divide, looking for missiles
and stones. Ff-
The tnroDg move on towards Canal street.
where the crowd of citizens stand with the
massed police, firing rafting volley.
Ihe shots are returned, until balls up and
dawn the space between the Canal street side
OF the. binding and Canal street, travelled
both ways.
sThe negro crowd, scattering wide, run. back
toward the building and disappear, some
down the side alleys, others in the portico
and door fronts OF the opposite row of
dwellings, while the great body take refuge In
the entrance OF the Institute, out Of which
they fire on the police, who fire back in re-
turn and many of the negroes fall, while the
floor is soon spotted with the blood of the
wounded, and resembles a slaughter pen.
AS the negro crowd fall back, disappear
from the open street, and balricade them
selves in the building, the police officers in
regular march take possession of the street.
The fire between the police and negroes is
now carried on-by the police IRON ii street
by the negroes from the second story front.
No police could prevent the crowd of citi-
zens from rushing into the open street and
OfVi anu duOfl WIFI Tic pODCc Il Tdt-
ly into the building. 1t was about one that
the bells of the city were tolled, while the
firing stray shots and missiles scattered like
hail. The firing is now transferred from the
front of the building TO either side, where the
negroes as they appear, are stoned by the
crowd out side. t-..f- Is
From the police officers in the street arose
cries of 'Do you surrender? "Do you sur
render?' to which there was no answer what
pvnr Tho cfroat oh fxvn moo ola ta1 Of
negroes, who were fast escaping from the
windows, letting themselves down from the
rear part, and running to the rear for safety.
hull occurs in the firing and the front Is
now in comparative quiet. The police do not
enter, Notwithstanding a lull in the fire, and
the negroes who come out of the front door,
as well as those who are 6roppir from the
windows, one by one, ARE attacked and killed
many OF ofthem-notwithstanding the efforts of
the police. a- uf
To see the negroes mutilated and literally
beaten to death as they sought to escape was
one of the most hOrrid pictures it has ever been
our il-fortune to witness.
Policemen among the force fell one after an
other, as they wereeither shot by those in the
upper stories or bruised and stunned from mis-
siles flung at them. .ap,' <
ARRESTS.
One by one the persons inside the building,
white as well as black, are, as soon as thew
appear, carried offby two policemen to the sta
tion in the direction of Common street, as well
as towards Canal street. where the great reserve
of the force was stationed. l
Chief Adams and all of his subordinates were
everywhere upon the scene, seeking to prevent
violence at the hands of white citizens, who,
armed with sword canes clubs and missiles, at
tackled the escaping inmates of the building.
Only when prisoner attempted to escape
was he fired at, though there is testimony of
some firing at prisoners by policemen that was
both wanton and, as it appeared, unnecessary.
At 2 1-2 o'clock a white handkerchief Haunted
out of an upper window. Before that time
there had been repeated cries of 1--WE surren-
der!P I'VE surrender but as soon as the po-
lice attempted to enter they were beaten back.
Crowds hurried to the corner of Common and
Dryades streets, and as member after member
OF the convention appeared, they were greeted
with hooting, yelling and hisses
There were many among the crowd who
were drunk and infurated, and who attacked
even policemen who were escorting away pris-
oners, besides, in several instances, killing the
prisoners. Nf 80 a... t.