The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-02
The Reign Of Terror Fairly Com
menced.

this city, that the issues involved in the approach
ing election of lesser importance, and many OF
the candidates such as to awaken no interest in
their behalf the time preceding the actual contest
at the polls would be marred by no undue excite
ment that there would be no attacks Of rival clubs,
no breaking up Of meetings, no general riots, no
boodshed. The good men OF both parties desired
this quiet and thought to enjoy it, but the issue of
affairs has proven their "wish father to their
When, few nights since, the Republican Invinc
bles were first attacked, in Germantown by rowdes
of the opposite political faith; and again, upon fol-
lowing evening at Twenty and Chestnut Streets
in both instances being refused protection by the
Democratic police,-the orderly and laWaoldng por-
ton of the community were rudely shocked into
realization that reign of terror, like that which
preceded last years elections, was about opening
upon them in riot and bOodshed. Their dreams of
peace were idle and the occurrences Of last night
have rendered them dOubly so. Unless the strong
arm of the law is quickly and forcbly interposed,
from this time until after the ''second Tuesday of
the month, the city can expect nothing but commo
ton and Coroners cases.
About haf-past 10 O'Clock last night, following hard
upon the rowdies' attack on the Irish Republican
meeting at Twentieth and Market streets, riot
serious enough, and which promised at one time to
become general and fearful, took place at Fifth
and Chestnut streets, under the very nose of muni-
cipa authority, and the shadows Of that venerable
observation-disclosures Hall.
The night had been fixed for the parade of the
organization known as the Keystone CLUB. IL had
also been selected days ago for the holding OF
a Republican mass meeting by the citizens of the
Second ward at Jefferson avenue and Washington
street which the Republican Invncibes had been in
Yited and solicited to attend.
At O'Clock the latter named club left their
headquarters at Fifth and Library Streets and
marched to the place named. After remaining there
short time they returned to their quarters and dis
short time after the departure of the Invinci-
bes to attend the meeting, the Keystone Club march
ed past the Invincibles headquarters, with pur-
pose which can easily be surmised. Even the ma
jority of the more sensible of their adherents
condemned tins action At tn. that time, how how
latter were already squares away on their march to
As mentioned the Invincbles returned to their
headquarters, and dismissed. This was about 10
About twenty minutes past ten the tolling of
bell, mounted on furniture car, announced to such
parties as happened to be in the neighborhood of
Fifth and Chestnut streets the approach OF the Key
At this time save few detective officers within
the station and few Reserve officers on the corners,
not policeman was to be seen in the neighborhood.
Cupabe neglect on the part OF the ornamental chief
of the department was the verdict of everybody.
The riot then occurred, the facts of which, summa
rized, are as follows:-
The ARRAY.
The Invincbles, whom High Constable Clark and
detail Of police had accompanied all the evening"
having returned to their headquarters at Fifth and
Library streets, had eXtinguShed the lights and
locked up the building. Many of the members had
gone to their homes, others were passing up Fifth
Street When line of the Keystones reached that
thOroughfare on Chestnut street all was quiet, but as
the first company Of the Keystone arrived above the
water fountain nearest Fifth street, rush was made
from the street at the crowd on the pavement.
nsed nyeS e @ 6e heads 81 the
The line again moved, and as the last company
was crossing Firth street another rus rnsh was mad made
bald Potter who was in the rear of the procession,
cried out, "Come back !" and turning around struck
a gentleman in the mouth, knocking him down.
High Constable Clark seized the offender, and ran
him in the Central Station This unproyoked attack
by Potter was the signal for a grand rush of the
Keystones. down Chestnut street, and into Fifth,
where they commenced an indscrimnate fusilade Of
The small force of detectives who were duty at
the Central Station placed their badges on their
coats and attempted to press back the rabble, but
their efforts proved futile. The crowd pressed on
and on reaching the law Office adjoining the Phila-
delphia Library structure, they were checked by a
yolley of shots from the recess in front of the
Library building. This check only temporary
and they discharged their weapons and pressed on.
Their shots went down the street, where not soul
was standing, Tor II must be known that there was
quarters, which had been deserted about half an
hour before.
All the firing from down the street came from the
recess above referred to, and the number engaged
in it was certainly very small, as no one could be
observed and the only evidence that anybody was
there at all from the flashes of the weapons as
they were discharged. After the first yolley the
Keystoners, headed by rather thin fellow with a
heavy black beard and moustache, pressed forward,
but another Volley from the men behind the wall not
only halted them, but sent them back hurriedy
towards Chestnut street. Here another rally was
made and with the same result the balls dying
thick and fast insthelr ranks. Some of these mis-
siles struck the outside OF the detective office, one
went through the WindoW-sash, and another struck
gentleman who was standing looking from the
During all this time the Keystones were firing,
with the scanty force Of olc rs in their midst
deavorlng to make arrests. High Constable Clark,
with q remarkable degree OF courage, was doing
good service between the parties when he felt q
ssti1Ging sensation in his arm. lie looked to see
what damage had been done, ana found that ball
had passed through his coat sleeve, grazing the
flesh. He then resumed his post and in company
with Detectives Kelsb, Moore, Burns, and Roberts,
endeavored to push the rowdles back but they
would not 90, and again rushed down the street.
By that time the party behind the wall had dsap-
peared,S and the crowd ran further down. only to
return to Chestnut street. and after consultation,
in face of goodly number OF officers, who had been
collected together, they proceeded to the headquar
tiers of the InynciOes and set fire TO the handsome
transparency i'll front Of the building, and 1t was
consumed in very short space OF Time .-,
While the party was engaged In plying the torch,
another squad was heaVing bricks through the Wn-
dows of the Offices on the lower floor and OF the
room occupied by the InVnciOles. Some OF these
weapons OF destruction demolished one OF the large
lamps at the entrance door.
Cheer upon cheer rent the air upon the execution
OF these cowardy acts, and being satisfied, the
brave fellows marched up The street. passing tnt
same squad Of officers, making the air ring Win
their wild huzzas. Not one arrest was made, thougl
Detective Kelsh there received pretty severe DeaC
ing over the head with lamps
The Casualties.
The following are the names OF the Wounded:-
William A. Barrett, No. 6l2 Marshan street, sho
Frank White (of the Keystones) Fifteenth ant
SAMSON streets, shot in the side. ~ ,- ~
George ID. James, son OF D. o. James, NO. oo' N
Ninth street, stabbed in the neck. ~ ,,.
William DeGroot, No. llO3 DIVISION street, lnJure'
in the foot. 80, - .,.r
William Carson, shot in the leg. l,,-
Morris s. Nagle, President OF the Keystone CluD
~ Cooper (of the Inyinclsles, shot in the neck.
William j. Eskins of the Inyincibles), shot III th
James Crispn (of the Inyincibles> shot in the head