Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-05-28
Horace Greeley in the Riot.

Deen magnineu III the estimation OF the
mob into at least FIVE hundred They
kept the rascals at bay for the night, but
were totally insufficient for the regular
defence of the building. With even a
hundred brave men behind them they
could no more have withstood that infu.
rated crew of five thousand than a
feather can withstand whirlwind. This
was fully appreciated by the defenders,
and it was determined that if the build
ing should stand over night, to load it
up to the muzzle in the morning. Ac-
cordingly, by the following noon, it was
a perfect arsenal. The first floor was
barricaded with bales of printing paper,
and provided with steam hose, that
would have badly scorched" any in
truder; and the second story had at one
of the windows a small cannon, loaded
with grape and canister, and at the 9th
ers piles of hand grenades, ready to be
hurled upon the rioters. The third sto-
ry was equally we'll armed, and in the
larger editorial room were dozen forty
pound shells, with fuses shortened so
they would explode on striking the pave
ment. These, with brace or more of
muskets at every window, and hundred
and fifty determined men, all under COM
mand of an experienced army officer,
completed the armament of the building.
This arsenal Mr.. Greeley entered
about noon on the second day of the ri
OF, and making his way to the editorial
rooms, he looked curiously about at the
warlike preparations. "What are these|
he inquired, inspecting the shells, which
were ranged in an irregular semi-circle
near one of the front windows.
Balls of fire and birthstone for those
red ragamuffins down there on the side
walk"
But wanted no arms brought into
the building"
Yes, we know but Col. Adams now
has command of the Tribune, and we
propose to see this dance out, if it lasts
till doomsday."
Without further remark Mr.. Greeley
went to his work, and all the day was
knee-deep in editorials and exchanges.
Meanwhile a noisy mob was in possess
sion of Printing House Square, and who
ever 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 visitors so i'm.
peded Mr.. Greeley's work that it was s
o'clock at night before 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 rep
resenting the great danger of remaining
after sunset. To all his answer was, ." L
am not quite through; Twill go in few
minutes"
AT last General Busteed came in from
the street, reporting that the crowd, now
greatly augmented, were clamoring Wild
ly for ould Grayley." 1t is absolute
Madness" he added, for you to stay
longer" but the answer still was, am
not quite through; will 60 in few
minutes
Eight o'clock at last came, and then
Col. Adams and another gentleman sent
out for close carriage, to be brought to
the side door, and then going to Mr..
Greeley, accosted him somewhat as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Greeley, carriage will be here
instantly. We want you to leave the
office"
I'm not quite ready | will go in a
few moments" was again the quiet an
swer.
g We insist on your going no,c. A
hundred and fifty of us are risking 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? could have
gone just as well in street car"
"You couldn't have got to a car
Look down there, and see the kind Of
crowd that surrounds the building"
He looked down and saw what might
have made a man of even iron nerve
turn little pallid. The internal regions
had been unroofed, and the devils were
there, shouting and hooting, and howl
ing, and groaning on the pavement
Such another crew never got together on
this or any other planet; and as he look
ed they shouted, "Come out, ye ould
haythen; come out, and we'll taich ye a
naygar's as good as Irishman."
swell, they are a hard looking set, u
he said, turning quietly around and
drawing on his coat, preparatory to leav.
ing where could those fellows have
come from p
He was smuggled into the carriage