The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-15
THAT TERRIBLE RIOT.
"Another Slander Nailed''-How the Demo
Gratis Make Capital.

"Another Slander Nailed'-How the Demo-
Gratis Make Capital.
Yesterday, says the Harrisburg Topic of the
l4th inst, an investigation was made before his
Honor Mayor Cole and the following affidavit
gives a truthful version of the most terrific riot
which is so fearfully exercising the Democracy
all over the country, from Maine to Texas
AFFIDAVIT OF CAPTAIN THOMAS PETERSON AND LIEU
TENANT EDMUND ROBINSON.
UOn the morning of the fourth Of july the COM
pany was formed on Fulton street, West Harrisburg;
marched to the railroad depot and took the for
the picnic grounds. Some time after this dificuty
occurred on the porch OF tavern between two
white and two colOred men, not soldiers the result OF
which was, the two colored men were whipped and
s'The news Of this fight was brought up to the
grounds by the two coored men who had been
vile were abusing the colored people there, aud
then, for the first time, number of the colored SOL
diers, not more than one-thrd OF the company, and
of whom not more than six had their guns-taken
without the knowledge OF the officers-and not one
of which was loaded left the grounds and went
down TO Marysville. At no time was there more
than one-thira OF the company away from the pic
mic grounds; and those who went to Marysville
went there to protect the colored people, If poss-
be- by stopping the quarrel and not to create q
riot. -,
picnic grounds depot, and marched into the car
Passing through Marysville, stones were thrown at
the cars and shots fired from both sides of the
road, injuring several OF the colored people. No
shot was returned by any member OF the company,
nor was shot fired frOLa the containing the COL
Oreu SOlQlerS. NO uubkeL was ulSCHdTS6u on IQaL
day, either at the picnic grounds at Marysville.
No musket was loaded before leaving Harrisburg or
afterwards. No ammunition has ever been issued to
this company nor been purchased or provided by
the company, and any shots fred either
at Marysve or from the train returning by colored
people, from pistols or arms not belonging to-,
and by persons not members OF, the company. 1t is
not known that any member OF the company had a
pistol that day. No private residence was at any
time entered nterfered with by any OF the coored
soldiers. white man fired three or four pistol
shots from the door Of house at crowd Of coored
m q w
way, just inside the door, but was not followed any
further. 1t is probable this pistol was not loaded
with anything but blank cartridge, otherwise some
OF the colored men must have been either killed or
wounded.
"On the arrival OF the company at Harrisburg il
was formed at the railroad depot In the presence o
an immense crowd OF citizens, and marched through
the streets OF Harrisburg. We appeal to the public
sentiment OF this whole community as to the con
diton and appearance OF the company. Did it justify
the unwarranted sensational telegram that had JUS
preceded their arrival?
"THoMAs PETERSON, Captain.
"EDMUND ROBINSON, Second-Leut
''Sworn and subscribed, July 13, 1870, before me-
''GEoRGE b. COLE, Mayor"