Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-06-24

doubtful if he did so, in as much as all
through the riot he appeared utterly
regardless of personal danger.
In the morning some OF the great
dallies published accounts Of Mr.. Gree
ley's flight from the restaurant, and
charged him with deserving his post
from coward,ce And this when the
flight" was not his own act, but that
of others, who, more fully than him.
SELF were concerned for his safety
About this time Mr.. Parton and an
other gentleman, who had been drawn
down town by the report that the Trl-
bune building was in danger, happened
to meet in the counting room. on the
low floor, and there learned from the
publishers that Mr.. Greeley, before
going away, had given orders that no
arms should be brought into the build
ing. ''He was wrong" said one OF the
gentlemen; sit is not the Tribnne only
but free speech that is in danger Let
us take the responsibility OF armina
the building THIS was assented to
and the preparations that were made
saved the unsightly packing box,
which still stands On end at the corner
of Spruce and Nassau streets, from
being reduced to a heap of cinders.
Only hundred muskets had been
brought into the building during the
night; but these, by a happy ruse, had
been magniticd in the estimation Of
the mob into at least FIVE hundred
They kept the rascals at bay for the
night, but were totally insufficient tor
the regular defence of the building
With even a hundred brave men be-
hind them they could no more lave
withstood that intaturiated crew of
five thousand than a feather can with
stand a whirlwind This was fully
appreciated by the defenders, and it
was determined that if the building
should stand over night, to load it up
to the muzzle in the morning. Accord
ingly, by the following noon, twas per
feet arsenal. The first floor was barrca-
ded with bales of printing paper and pro
vided with a steam hose that would
have badly "scorched' any intruders,
and the second story had at one Of the
windows small cannon, loaded with
grape and canister, and at the others
piles OF hand grenades, ready to be
hurled upon the rioters. The third
story was equally we'll armed, and in
the larger editorial room were dozen
forty pound shells, with fuses shorten
ed SO they would explode on striking
the pavement These with brace or
more of muskets at every window,
and a hundred and fifty determined
men, all under command Of an expe-
riencel army officer, completed the
armament OF the building.
This arsenal Mr.. Greeley entered
about noon on the second day of
the riot, and making his way to the
editorial rooms, he looked curiouslv
about at the warlike preparations.
What are these he inquired, inspect
ing the shells, which were ranged in
an irregular semi-circle near one of the
front windows.
Balls of FIRE and birthstone for
those rcd ragamufiins down there on
the sidewalk.
But l wanted no arms brought in
to the building
Yes, we know; hut Col Adams
now has command of the Tribune, aud
we propose to see this dance out, II it
lasts till doomsday"
Without further remark Mr.. Greeley
went to his wo.k, and all the day was
knee-deep in editorials and exchanges.
Meanwhile noisy mob was in pos
session OF Printing-House Square. and
whoever entered or left the building
was greeted with yells and curses,
and threats of even rougher treatment.
Still, throng of friends kept pouring
in and out all the day, and these visi-
tors 50 impeded Mr.. Greeley's work
that it was eight o'clock at night be-
fore he had finished his last leader. As
it grew towards dark one friend after
another went to HIM, urging him to
leave for home, and representing the
great danger of remaining after SUM-
set To all his answer was, II am not
quite through; l will go in few min-
utos."
At last General Busteed came in
from the street, reporting that the
crowd, now greatly augmented, were
clam oring wildly for could Grayley"
at is absolute Madness he added.
"for you to stay longer" but the an
swer still was, Il am not quite through;
| will go in a few minutes"
Eight o'clock at last came and then
Col. Adams and another gentleman
sent out for a close carriage, to be
brought to the side door, and then go
ing to Mr.. Greeley, accosted him some
what as follows:
"Mr. Greeley, a carriage will be here
instantly. We want you to leave tie
Office
I'm not quite ready; 1 will 90 in a
few moments was again the quiet an
swer.
I'VE insist on your going ao,c. 4
hundred and fifty of us are risklng our
lives in defending your building, and
you have no right to add to our
danger
At this the philosopher slowly rose,
and with his peculiar smile, said, But
why order carriage? I could have
gone jus, as well in a street car
"1ou couldn't have cot to car
Look down there, and see the kind OF
crowd that surrounds the building
He looked down and saw what
might have made man Of even iron
nerve turn little pallid. The infer
nal regions had been unroofed, and
the devils were there, shouting and
hooting, and bowling, and groaning on
the pavement. Such another crew
never got together on this or any other
nlanct. and as he lnnknd 1hny shnltal