The New York herald., 1870-07-24
THE RIOT AT TRENTON.

Further Particulars Of tho Big Fight-BilIy
McMullins Crowd Of Rouahs-A PhilndsI-
phin Policeman Narrowly Escapes Lynch-
ing-The Military Called Out.
One Of the most disgraceful exhibitions OF rOwdy-
ism that has disturbed the enjoyments Of pic
mic party took place on Friday afternoon and even
ing at Morrisville Grove, Pa, near Trenton, N. j.
The fourth annual excursion and picnic Of the
American Knitting Mills, from Philadelphia, was duly
announced, and about six hundred, OF both sexes,
joined in the excursion on board the Edwin Forrest
Besides the employees Of the knitting mills, a crowd
of men belonging to the Lincoln Taylor and Hiper-
man Hose Companies went to the grounds. where
there was no strong police force to interrupt them.
About three O'Clock p. NJ, the members OF two
rival fire companies having commenced quarrel,
the third company became involved In the fray and
the fighting was kept up for three hours among the
Philadelpbians. when few Trenton boys were
drawn into the fracas HereupOn the Philadelphians
and Trentonians became the oontending factions.
policeman named Lovegood, from the Seven
teenth ward of Philadelphia Is said TO have origi
mated the latter quarrel by assaalttng manned
Trentonian. Michael Higgins was standing by and
demonstrated with the bully whereup0n LOvegoOd
jumped on the counter and kicked Higgins IN the
face Others crowded around and Kicked him badlyii
while he lay pr0strate. Some persons rushed In to
save their friends life ana they, too were roughly
handled. The wounded man was conveyed to Tren-
ton. In the meantime messengers were sent to
Trenton for relniorcements, and by seven O'Clock
800 men collected at the bridge TO await
the Phiadelphians on their return. They tore open
the gate that was shut against Them, and, reaching
the grove, general rush was made on the picnic
party. The scene that followed battles description.
Stones. bricks and missiles Of every Kind wereused
and some forty fifty were badly hurt. One got
his arm broken iu two places, another sustained
fracture Of the skull, and black eyes, bloody noses
and sore heads abounded. ~ tA ~' 'fs'
A vigorous search was made for the policeman,
L0vegood; but that individual, accompanied by a
few nnglcaders, escaped on hearing that enemies
the fgnt at the grove:was discontinued at about
eight O'Clock 1t being too dark then TO distinguish
an enemy IRON friend. Both parties. recrOssed
the bridge 10 the Trenton SIDE, and the Jerseyites
arriving rs number Of them collected at the gate
and closely surveyed every stranger as he passed.
The women and children were allowed to 60 unmo-
Tested. The Phadephians would have been
roughly handled at this dangerous crossing had II
not Il been for their " fair companions, and
1T was aughabe to see the demand for
ladies at the Pennsylvania side Of the
wharf by q large crowd, and fears were enter.
tanned that the fight would be renewed ere they
could embark. A posse Of police was on the ground;
but as the force was inadequate to quell such dis
turbance q company Of ZOuaves, commanded by
Captnin Dobbins, was held In readiness by the
further disturbance took place. and at halfpast ten
the Edwin Forrest was under way, all fears Of a
riot having ended.
Before leaving the wharf, however, shower Of
stones, bricks and empty bottles was thrown ashore
ana the missiles were speedily returned, but with
what effect could not be ascertalned. ~
1t is understood that the men who accompanied
the excurslOnsts and created the disturbance belong
that class OF political "bumMers' known as s'Billy
McMufus Kougns."