New-York tribune., 1867-05-15
RECONSTRUCTION.
REBEL RIOT IN MOBILE
Az ASSAULT oN JUDGE ErMEY-sEyEEM PERSONS
KILLED.


B1 rEtranArH
MOBILE, Ala. May i4-Midnicht-A muiGwoUs
and bloody affair occurred here this evening des-
porJtc at.sc.. was made Jon Judge Kcl!oy, and the
body of gentlemen who surrounded him. on the steps
of the ola Court House 9t the corner of GovcnmeDt
and Eoyal-s,s., during tho meeting held this even
ing.
The Jad ys had been speaking about quarter oi
an hour In frank and temperate manner "hen
there appeared TO be disposition TO create ui'
turbanoe on the outskirts OF the meeting CIieS VI
put him down" were heard, 20 Whicn NI' NEW TO
piled: tell you that yCu cannot put me DOWN.
The tsa If,ntr are at NV back and if they cannot
keep the peace in Mobile the uni1eo states Army
cam
The taoult suddenly broke out at this point 10y
s,ddcr r,.b toward the platform. and a general
scattering ef the crowd. About 100 people were on Che
platfor1n including many eminent citizens. reporters
of the local press and the correspondent OF The Ncr
Yoy{ Hcroja who sat beside Judge Kelly. and the
correspondent Of The Philadelphia Inquirer This rush
seemed to be the signal for the melee TO commence.
The Chief of Police attempted 10 arrest ringleader
on the boilers of the crowd and he drew pistol on
him. The cry of Fire" then raised
at the corner Of Royal-st. and instantly perfect
fusilade IL pistols was opened on the crowd who
occupied Tie platform. In a moment a coofcd man
struck ia the head. Again the cry of Oh, God!'
and heavy fall announced that another had been
laid low. Some friends dragged Judge Kelley from
out Of the range of fire. and finally succeed in getting
him away uDhalmed
For several minutes the fire cOntinhcd to be di-
reced tu tdc platform. the occupants of which were
hastymaliing their escape while others endeavoIed
to protect themselves b. getting behind the table
which Afforded little protection those nearest the
platform evidently firing under it. One man
was badly wounded by a shot thus aimed, and ball
glanced oh a water bucket which fortunately stood
between your correspondents head and the assaSsns
benevolent intentions.
The frI;se by this time directed right and left
among the crowd in the street, who We're flying in all
directions. There seemed 10 be no attempt on the
part of the police TO arrest the violence or if there
was il Wa. intellectual for the Rebels had it all then
own way
1t is impossible to tell al this hour how many were
shot sax three fall in my immediate vicinity; but
l occupied the place of target saw one poor boy
carried of the ground moaning piteousy.
II was evidently a preConceIted affair and was
probably stimulated by incendiary article, in the
Rebel press for the past few days.
Col. Sheyperd who commands the military here,
at once dispatched a body of troops 20 the Battle
House. where Judge Kelley is stopping They are
now on the ground in front Of the hotel where Col
Shepperd has taken up quarters for the night.
The city at present is quiet. TIE Republican
party is not strong here as in New-Orlcans. All
the municipal offices mc filled by ScccssOnistS,
whose hostility 10 the Government has not abated a
jot
Even some Of those who have accepted pardons,
with all It's sworn obligations still in word and
action it is said bitterly opposed to the legislation
of Congress and TO great extent socially to the
IoyaIist,
1t is complained that Gen. Swayne does not exer
else his power sufficiently. under the Military bill
for the projection of the loyal people. No steps
have yet been taken for registering voters in Ala
bama.
LII Louisiana it is progressing rapidly, the colored
people exceeding the whites on the list so far by
large majority Adispositon to do full justice to the
negro in New-Oreans was evinced yesterday by the /
appointment Of two coored inspectors of customs by
Judge Kellogg, collector, and the promotion of col
ored clerk. Mayor Heath, understand designs to /
throw open the public schools Unfortunately to
whites and blacks in short time.
Exclusiveness has been cause of complaint by
the cOlored population, who pay 50 per cent OF the
school tax and now cannot educate a child III the
common schools. This reform is mainly due TO the
harmonious influence of Judge Keley's visit.
May l5-l a. m.--Ihe firing, which commenced at
the place of meeting extended to several streets in
the vicinity.
report has Just been made to Col. Sheppard that
a negro il lying dead on Cedar-st. few blocks
above the scene of the riot He has detailed guard
TO take possession of that locality until morning.
The whole military force, who encamped about
a mile for fhe place of meeting have been ordered
into the city. and posted at different points
prepared Ior attempt or renewal of the riot.
Judge Kelley very coolly descended from the plat f!
form amid the fire pushed his way through the !
crowd reached his hotel in safety, his only disguise
being your correspondent hat, who subsequently got
of with the only hat left on the table, which for
tunately proved 10 be Mr. Kelleys and therefore
there no loss Of property i'll hats.
1t is said that several white men, who probably |
had no part in the attack, shot in the nciee
Or Goldsmith was killed and Mr.. Podberry, late |
Chief of Police, was shot in the fOrhead. police
man had ball put through his wrist.
1t appears that shot guns and muskets, well /
pistols were used, but the firing was rapid and |
continuous that it difficult to tell what kind of
arms were employed.
If any disposition to renew the riots is shown it is
probable that the city will be placed under martial
law. Col Sheppard is now in council with Mayor
Wthers HpOn the subject, and before morning we
shall knoa the result of their consultations.
A REBEL ACCOUNT.
We give the following dispatch as received, not
wthstandag its evident Rebel origin does not enti-
tie its statements TO credit
MoBILE May IA large number of negroes met
tonight az The corner OF Government and ROyalsts,
70 hear Judge Kelley of Pennsylvania. A number OF
whites weEe also present, and everything was re-
markahly quiet until Judge Kelley began speaking,
saving he had 10 discuss the rights of negroes.
He declared he was entitled 10 a hearing and bud
defiance 30 all Interruptions and TO the world. lie
had the fifteenth regiment at hls back; u they
proved inadequate he would have the whole United