Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-10-05
The Whisky Riot in Philadelphia.
IErom the Philadelnhia Press

Yesterday morning Mr. L b. Cole, chief of
the revenue board IN this city, accompanied
by Deputy United States Marshals Schuyler,
w Whippy. and Gordon, and Revenue Inspec
tors Westervelt, Byrne. Ghegan, Einstein,
johnson, Brooks, Donnelly, keenan, and rag.
gart, proceeded TO the 25tR ward for the pur.
pose OF seizing Illicit dstilleries and arrcsting
all persons found engaged in the unla wfui oc-
cupation.
The party arrived at the scene of operations
shortly after II o'clock, and at once procee eded
70 examine into places where distiliing was
supposed TO be carried on. At least q half
dozen buildings were visited before any signs
OF dlstiiling were dis covered.
In the rear Of No. 1907 Edgemont street, the
party came across an establishment where the
tunes OF whiskey were evident The place
was surrounded and an entrance was effected
found in charge. She was questioned as to the
ownership Of the concern. and gave the Off GERS
10 understand that it belonged to her husband,
who was ont Of town. She insisted that the
distillery was lawful one, and that yesterday
was the first time that the still had been in ep.
Grafton for week. This she averred she
could prove by receipt from the Custom
House. The building in which the still and
fixtures were located, was rudely constructed
OF rsugh boards, about sixteen or seventeen
feet square, one story high, and from its ont.
ward appearance resembied very much a sec.
ond.rate country blacksmith shop.
The fixtures Of the establishment were an old
and apparently worn out copper still, which
was in full blast, eighteen hogshead filled with
mash, consisting chiefly of molasses and yeast,
and some empty barrels. Two furniture cars
were on hand ready to receive and remove
whateve er property that might be captured
The still was after considerable trouble torn
down. the boiling liquid emptied out. and to-
Rether with the worm and pipes were taken
cut and placed IN one OF the wagons. A con-
siderable number of men, women, and child.
rem. the most OF who were begrimed with dir,
had collected around the vehicles and amused
themselves by hoeting at the officers. The
wagons were started. and the party proceeded
up the street, when they came across another
still in operation. This was located In q small
wooden building, twelve feet by fourteen.
No resistance was offered. and the portabl
fixtures Of the establishment were loaded up
and the officers. wagons, and crowd moved
on. The latter had by this time increased large
arriving: shout went up from
the admirers of whiskey, and
cry OF "Drive them back, take the STILLS" was
heard, and Immediately raid was made on
one of the vehicles. An Irish woman climbed
into the wagon, seized one Of the stills, and
threw it into the street. 1t was picked up
and carried OF in triumph BY some of the
1iotsrs The officers now rallied, but they met
with signal Yepulse. Showers Of stones,
brickbats, clubs, and other missiles filled the
air ana fell in profusion upon the heads OF the
Government officials, and they fell back in dis
order. The rioters now had it their own way
and took complete possession or the wagons
and contents, carrying the latter to places OF
concealment. f---rr
Deputy Marshal Schuyler, who was in
charge OF one OF the vehicles. was struck upon
the head several times by the flying missiles,
and was seri0usly injured. The officer finally
rallied, and were reinforced by some members
OF the Eighieenth District Police, and the
rioters were soon dispersed.