The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-07-18
A Riot I'm New York.

lodges. The Hibernian association OF
New York, which is composed of Catholics,
said that if the Orangemen attempted to pa
rade they would attack their procession and
make them wade through blood. The
threats were SO boldly and persistently made
that the Mayor of New York on Monday
issued an order forbidding the parade,
thereby showing that he was fearful of of
Tending the Catholic mob. ...e
| To the credit of the Governor, this order
was countermanded and a proclamation
was issued by him, guaranteeing the Pro-
testants, protection if it took the whole of
the State Militia. The parade of portion
of the lodges accordingly took place. The
procession was formed with one regiment
in the advance, and another in the rear as
an escort, a large body of policemen being
distributed on either flank. The process
sion had not marched but short distance,
before pistol shot was fired by some
rowdies and a few stones were thrown, and
several men in the ranks were injured
The soldiers returned the fire and for a
time there was terrible scene. The riot
ers were chased for several blocks, and men
women and children, were left lying on the
side walk dead, or wounded. In short
time this party was dispersed but several
other collisions took place and the number
of casualties reported during the day reach
ed over forty killed and one hundred and
fifty wounded.
The cowardice of the city officials in try
ing to stop the parade at the dictation of q
mob, raised feeling of general indigna-
ton.
For many years the city of New York
has not passed such a day of excitement,
and had not Governor Hoffman come for
ward with his proclamation, and assurance
of protection, the citizens would probably
have taken the matter in hand, as many in
no manner connected with the Orangemen
had promised to join their parade. Such a
feeling was raised against this foreign
Catholic intolerance, that an attempt was
made to revive the Know Nothing organiza-
tion, and 1t is said that over one thousand
men had their names enrolled as members
of such an association.
following short report of the sad affair:
The procession moved about half past
2 O'Clock. Before the command to march
had been given, paving stones had been
hurled among the troops, and it is said one
or two pistol shots were fired by the mob.
The polic were continually driving back
the crowding rioters, their services being
almost increasingly required for that
ha
were hurled upon the procession from the
housetops along the Eighth avenue, and
chimneys were torn down to the roof that
their bricks might serve the assaiants for
missiles. The day was very hot. The
National Guard steadily moved forward,
paying but little attention to the shower of
stones and bricks which was rained upon
them. Finally pistol shots were heard. At
first /. was difficult to tell where they come
from. Apparently emboldened by the for
bearance of the military, the Ribbonmen
Hibernian, then made their appearance in
third story windows and on the housetops
They gathered in the alleys and fired upon
the soldiers. They shot little girl wearing
an orange dress through the brain. At
length Sergeant Page, the favorite of the
Ninth Regiment, was killed. AS he fell
to the pavement, his comrades, incensed
beyond further endurance and without
immediate orders but in pursuance of a
general order, opened fire upon the mob.
Other regiments also opened fire. Volleys
OF musketry were heard, preceded and fol- |
lowed by rattling, scattering fire. The |
crowd broke wildly, and sought shelter in |
the houses and fled down the side streets |
The procession moved on to the tune of |
"The Star Spangled Banner" and the
street in their rear was covered with dead
bodies. Two other attacks were made on
the procession which were repulsed by the |
police.
There was apparently no organization on
the part ofthe mob. 1t seemed to have no
leaders, but every Ribbonman went into
the business of assassination on his own
hook. There was only such union and |
concert of action among them as resulted |
from their common bloody purpose.
The procession, after traversing only
part Of the rout intended, made short |
cut to their place of destination in Fourth |
avenue near Cooper Institute, and there |
halted. The military masked the little
band OF Orangemen, who concealed their
regalia, filed into No. Fourth avenue,
made their way through the alley to another
street where there was no crowd, and dis
appeared from observation. Such is the
plain story of the Hibernian riot of July 12,
1871.
In connection with this, the following
clause taken from the obligations which
the Orangemen are obliged to take when
joining the organization will be interesting.
"And further declare that will to the
utmost OF my power support the laws of
the United States as long as they maintain
civil and religious freedom and that will TO
the utmost OF my power assist the Chief
Magistrate and other civil authorities in