The Portland daily press., 1867-05-16
LATEST NEWS
BY TELEGE ArH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
Thursday Morning, May l6, 1867.
BLOODY RIOT AT MOBILE.
Desperate Attack on Judge Kelley
at a Public Meeting.
Three Men Killed and the
Meeting Broken up.
THE MILITARY CALLED Ourr.
UNJ,a 4 fair praoonaou%,a
BLOODY RIOT ATMoBILE.
THE MILITARY CALLED OUT.
The Affair Preconcerteh by Rebels.

was remarkably quiet until Judge Kelley be-
gan speaking, by saying he had come to dis
cuss the rights of the negroes. He declared
tlat lie was entitled to a hearing. and bid def
ahce TO all interruptions and to the world. He
mad the 10Th regiment at his back, and if they
proved inadequate he would have the whole
United States army. -.
Judge Kelley continued in this strain some
minutes, using language and expressions of an
lncendiary character, and sentiments which
Were calculated to lead to and invite riotous
demonstrations. He was interrupted by a
white man on the outs kirts of the crowd, whom
the police promptly arrested The first shot
was hred at this point. 1t was impossible to
say VINO 1t was fired by. Instantaneousy shots
followed from the negroes who were all armed.
Inc hrlng then became general.
After the firing began an alarm was rung,
ana continued ringing during the progress OF
the riot, which lasted about an hour. A large
majority OF the shots were fired by the negroes,
armed
The police succeeded in quelling the riot before
the arrival of the companies of the 18th regi-
ment, who were ordered out by Col Shepherd
and appeared on the ground as soon as possible
but not until the meeting was dismissed. The \
now guard the streets. Everything is quiet
and there was little or no excitement at MD
mght. Lit is impossible to state positively the
number OF killed or wounded. Three men are
known to have been killed. one a white man
anu Two negroes. "A number are wounded
among them policeman and white boy
Judge Kelley is at the Battle House and
leaves tomorrow for Montgomery.
NEW York, May 15.
The Herald has the following relative to the
Mobile riot
Mobile, May 14-Midnight.- Amurderous and
bloody affair occurred here this evening. A
desperate attack was made upon Judge Kelley
and body OF gentlemen who surrounded him
on the steps OF the old Court Honse, at the cor
ner of Government and Royal streets, during
the meeting held this evening. The Judge
had been Speaking about quarter of an hour,
III frank and temperate manner, when there
appeared to be disposition to create disturb
ance on the outskirts of the meeting. Cries o.
put him down" were heard, to which Mr.. Kel-
ley replied, Il tell you that you cannot put me
down. The 18th Infantry is at my back, and il
they ca mot keep the peace in Mobile the Unit
ed States army can" A tumult suddenly broke
out at this point by sudden rush toward the
platform and general scattering of the crowd.
About one hundred people were ON the plat
form. This rush seemed to be the signal for
the melee to commence 'nes i',,n ,soSR
The Chief of Police attempted to arrest the
ringleader ON the border of the crowd and he
drew pistol on him. The cry of "fire" was
then raised at the corner of Royal street, and
instantly perfect fusilade of pistols was OPEN
ed ON the crowd who occupied the platform.
In moment colored man, who stood beside
your correspondent, FELL being struck in the
mead. Again the cry Of "Oh Goo" and heavy
tall announced that another had been laid low
Some friends dragged Judge Kelley from out
OF the range OF the fire, and finally succeeded
IN getting him away unharmed.
For several minutes the fire continued to be
directed to the platform, the occupants of which
hastily made their escape, while others endeay-
ored to protect themselves by getting behind
the table, which afforded little protection as
those nearest the platform were evidently firing
under 1t. One man was badly wounded by "a
shot thus aimed
The firing by this time was directed right and
leit among the crowd in the street who were
lying i'll all directions. There seemed to be
no attempt on the part of the police TO arrest
violence, or, If there was, it was Intellectual Tor
the rebels had it all their own way. 1t is i'm
possible to tell, at this hour, how many were
ty, but occupied the place of u target. l saw
one poor boy carried off the ground moaning
piteously.
1t was evidently preconcerted plan, and
was probably stimulated by incendiary articles
by the rebel press for the past few days. Col.
shepherd, who commands the military here, at
once dispatched body of troops to the Battle
House, where Judge Kelley is stopping. They
are now on the ground in front of the hotel
where Col. Shepherd has taken up his quarters
for the night. The city at present is quiet
The Republican party is not so strong here as
filled by secessionists, whose hostility to the
Government las not abated a .iot; even some of
those who accepted pardons, with all the sworn
obligations, are still in word and action. it is
said, bitterly opposed to the legislation OF Con-
gress, and to great extent socially taboo the
loyalists. 1t is complained that Gen. Swayne
does not exercise his power for the loyal people.
No steps have yet been taken for registering
votes in Alabama. -
LATER.
.aH
MOBILE, May 15-1 A. NJ.
The firing, which commenced at the place
OF the meeting, extended to several streets in
the vicinity.
A report has just been made to Col. Shep-
herd that negro is lying dead in Cedar street,
a few blocks above the scene of the riot. He
has detailed guard to take possession of that
locality until morning. The whole military
1orce, who encamped about a mile from the
place of the meeting, have been ordeeed into
the city, and are now posted at different points
prepared for any attempt or renewal of the
riot s.aI .-45J
Judge Kelley very cody descended from the
platform in the midst of the fire and pushed
his way through the crowd, reaching his hotel
in safety. Several white men, who probably
had no part in the attack, were shot in the
luelee. Mr.. Goldsmith was killed, and Mr..
Sadberry late Chief of the Police, was shot in
through his wrist. 1t appears that shot guns
and muskets, as well as pistols were used.
If any disposition to renew the riots is
shown it is probable that the city will be plac-
ed under martial law. Col. Shepherd is now
in council with the Mayor and others upon the
subject. ---ll
New YORK May L.
Another account says "Mr. Kelley attempt
ed TO speak here this evening az the corner of
Government and Royal streets, to large au-
dience Of both cOlOrs Col. Shepherd, who is
in command of the United States troops, very
Ii, 1.r tI.al l,ar, Of
the meeting, which enlivened the occasion
with some fine music. Gustavas Horton ESQ
the gentleman whose nephew was murdered in
the New Orleans riots, presided. Judge Kel-
ley proceeded as far as to say that he was not
here as one OF their papers had stated repre-
sentative of any faction, but t. speak in behalf
of the whole people and whole country of the
United States. The faction 1 serve is thirty
two millions of American people, and will
serve them before the world, l thank you for
coming TO hear that notorious radical from
Pennsylvania. Demagogues made war; they
kept the South apart from the North, and
would not let them hear one word, as the edi-
tor OF the Mobile Times is trying to do. They
are at their work again and they want to keep
us asslnder, but We will take counsel together
i'll spite of all the editorial quilts in the State ~
The speaker referred to the statement of AL
exander Stephens, that slavery was the founda-
ton stone OF the Confederacy, and said that
the colored people knew their old masters were
fighting to keep them in bondage. Applause.
He was here Tonight to speak as he could not
have done before the war. They would not
dare TO listen to him and they were not allow
ed to read Northern newspapers. If man on
the cars was found with one in his pocket he
would be hunted like a felon. (Cheers.) With
the right OF free speech and free press pre-
served we never can be cursed with another
war. Here there were some interruptions in
the outskirts of the meeting with cries Of
"Put him down" Then the riot commenced
and the Judges speech was brought to sud,
den conclusion. E7FAE
MOBILE, May 15.
During the melee last night the following
persons were killed and wounded: Killed
Gabriel Alsen white, and Samuel Britton col
ored; wounded-whites, Thomas Taylor, ID. III
Hord, David Parsons OF the police, Jas. Barnes
Col. D. S. Sedbury a goldsmith, j. Cough
since reported dead, ID. S. Nicholson, and two
bovs. coiored, Bieree Mitchell, and in addition
n humber of men, white and colored, who were
SLIGHTLY injured and whose names are unknown
All is perfectly quiet to-day, and there will be
no further disturbance.
Judge Kelley has been invited by Mayor
Withers to remain and speak in public, offer
ing him the protection of all good citizens, bu
Judge Kelley declined the offer and left fo
Montgomery to-day. .-.
A call appears in the morning papers sign
ed by many of the hest citizens, for meeting
TO express the unqualified condemnation they
feel for the parties engaged in the disturbance
of the meeting of last night.