The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-06-03

sLA4At4 ~ IANk4O4N LAM ) SIS
in free speech upon matters affecting
theIwelfare of free people, both white
and cOlored, as against a recurrence
of enslAYe opinion and action existing
heretofore in this portion our country,
Whereupon commotlon began opposite
the speakers stand nearly across the
street, between the Chief of Police,
and a man named David J.. Tiles, no
torious for violence in word and action,
and who, while then scuffling with the
Chief of Police, discharged his pistol in
the direction of the speaker stand,
which was occupied by friends report
ers of the press Of this city and else.
where. and the band OF the 18th Infan-
try, under charge of Lieut.. Johnson,
Acting Adjutapt. After the first shot
there appeared to be an interval of four
or Eve seconds, during which there
were frantic efforts on, The part Of the
crowd to break. away from the scene,
after which about a dozen more shots
were fired from the vicinity of the fra
cas-, apparently. in the direction OF the
speakers stand, causing the Widest
confusion and dismay, which was In
creased by the sudden ringing of the
hre-alarm bells. A great number OF
shots were then made In return, right
and left. Most of these shots were evil
IDENTIFY fired in the air, with the design
probably to show that they were arm
ed. Ali, both white and colored, dis
persed in a panic, and also the gang OF
violent roWdies who were present, evil
IDENTIFY for heobject of breaking up the
meeting. In the melee quite number
OF persons we're more or less injured
by bruises and slight shot wounds,
One white man and one colored are re-
ported killed, and another white man
considered as fatally wounded In the
head. Alltte occurrence at the meet
| ing was witness to, the horses In the
carriage in which was seated, stand
| ing In a position to the right of the
speakers stand at the crossing of the
Sidewalk, took fright, and plunging into
the space first made vacant opposite The
stand, ran up Government street to-
ward the camp. Not wishing to leave
the scene till the result should be some
what known, leaped to the ground a
few steps from the speaker g stand, and
made my way back, despite the
panic-stricken populace. Observing
that all had fled therefrom, turned
and walked rapidly. toward the camp,
the streets near at hand resounding
with the discharge OF small firearms
and the alarm bells still ringing. On
the second block from the scene / met
the carriages returning, as the horses
had become again manageable, and
proceeded thence with great dispatch
for the troops In camp, one and half
miles distant, who were held in readi-
ness by the officers in camp, who had
heard the firing. The officers from
other stations, on duty at the post as
members OF general court'mRrtial,
promptly reported for duty with the
command. Whileit was being brought
to the scene in the double-quick step.
this movement was aided by two street
cars obeying with alacrity orders TO that
effect. The troops being posted, the
citizens found in the streets were order
ed TO retire TO their places of residence,
which order they complied with. In
the execution of all these orders much
credit is due to the officers of the court
martial above mentioned, A few occa-
sional shots were heard thereafter in
the streets, more or less distant, occa-
stoned probably more from alarm than
otherwise. The Hon. Mr.. Kelley and
his friends were found safely returned
to their rooms at the Battle House. His
Honor the Mayor, ]. NJ. Withers, resid-
ing nearly 1A miles up Government
street, was then summoned, and he
ordered his Ohief Of Police to search for,
arrest, and take to the city prison David
]. Tiles, the prime fnstigator and inclter
ofthe riot. Three squads, only OF eight
men each in charge of an officer, were
retained on duty after midnight and
until the departure of Judge Kelley at
~ p. M, next day. Since The riot there
has been considerable apprehension
felt between the white and cOlored pop
ulatiOn, owing, in a measure, 1 am
constrained to believe, to the unfair and
intiammRtoryt tone Of the newspaper ar
ticles for some time past, which to
dispassionate mind seem to pander to
the morbid cravings of a discontented
people, averse even to the repression
exercised by the impartial Justice of the
Mayor, ]. NJ. Withers, who, / believe,
Is the only man in the city qualiiedSby
disposition TO temper with proper dis
cretion his official acts. Report was not
made yesterday for the reason given in
a letter. A public meeting was held at
"a p. m. yesterday, deprecating the
odious outrage upon free speech, and
the prejudice of the more judicious,
composing the main portion OF the peo-
ple,-who, though we'll disposed, fail
nevertheless TO repress and irown down
the turbulent, who prowl about public
places, and utter spitefnl speeches and
threatenihgs against the state of things
irreyocahly settled by war which
most of them shirked, Should the ex4
element and appTehensions not sub
side,, lit will be advisable to have a
troop Of cavalry stationed here for the
purpose of putroling, the city limits be!
Ing SO extensive, and the style OF build-
ings- presenting grounds and closures
admirably adapted for sheltering the
evil minded. 4 am, Sir, your obedient
servant, 7yf o. L, SHEPHRRDS -
nCbE. I5Lh y. s.. INtGRtTy, C0N'd1 Post.