Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-05-06
LOCAL NEWS.


mas riots and Sunday riots, Alexandria will
soon achieve riotous reputation. 1t appears
that the burial of colored man named Bachus
Keith, formerly slave of Mr. Bernard Hooe,
of this city, who died in Washington last Tues
dav morning, but was preserved on ice until
Yesterday, was made the occasion for a general
parade and frolic of the colored people of the
District of Columbia. They came here in large
pnmbers-so large that several trips of the ferry
boats we're necessary for their transportation.
Notice of the affair had been given several days
before and as early as one clock crowds of the
colored people of this CITY began TO assemble at
the ferry slip to await the arrival. The de-
ceased was member OF L. r. Nllkerson lodge
of Odd Fellows, which lodge together with the
Gaean Fishermen, colored organization OF
Wasbiugton-and two brass bands acted as an
escort. Upon their arrival here they were joined
by delegations OF r. Il. Lancaster, u. w.
Parker and Harmony lodges Of Odd Fellows OF
this city, and, accompanied by an Immense
number of their race, Of all ages, sexes aud
conditions, the procession marched to the
burying ground. While at the grave yard the
alleged object for which they came here, began
to develop itself and an assault was made upon
Mr.. W. S. Hough, an elderly gentleman, who
was demonstrating against their stonlng each
other. Policeman Jack Nightingale coming 10
Mr.. Hough'S assistance, Was assaulted anu
bitten on the hand, but with the assistance OF
some bvstanders, whom he called to his AID sue
cerd.d. after much difficulty. in making the
arrest of the one who struck Mr.. Hough. Gu
their way back from the grave yard Que Of the
Washing; ouans kicked and badly hurt a son OF
Mr.. John Dcvaughn, and policeman Lyles IN
eudcavoriug to arrest him was set upon by his
friends. but was successful in efectlDg his ar
rest. When the procession reached the wharf
the whole space u front OF the docks in that
vicinity was thronged with people, news of the
previous disturbances having spread through the
city and caused great excitement among all
classes. Here the climax was reached. Not
satisfied with their previous difficulties, they
seized upon the opportunity afforded them By
an attempt TO arrest one of those engaged IN
the forper disorderIy proceedings, to lnaugurate
a riot which had it not been suppressed prompt
Is by the Mayor and the efficient support he
received from the members OF the police force
present, would doubtless have resulted disas
truusly Pistols, knives, raZors, clubs, stones
and ali sorts OF weapons were freely displayed,
ipoFcnsive citizens, the members of the police
and the Mavor himself were grossly and per
soually attacked, aud had it not been for the
cooIucss, bravery and discretion OF the Mayor,
whose conduct upon the occasion cannot be too
highly commended, a scene would probably
have ensued, in consequence OF the bad passions
which had been engendcd By the calls to
'rallv,' come TO the rescue, nc. used by the
rioters, which would have rlvallcd the most
famous riots that have occurred IN the country
during the past few years. About twenty OF
those engaged in the disturbances were arrested
and put in jail and fines to the amount OF
Sis. 40 cxacted Of them this morning. The
c)orcd people Of this city took no part IN the
disturbance nor were any OF their lodges at
the wharf VIXEN the assault upon the Mayor
was made. The following accounts OF the affair
are taken from the Washington papers OF this
morning:
The Washington Patriot says:
yesterday afternoon the colored societies OF
this city belonging to the order OF Odd Eel
lows chartered three boats to visit Alexandria,
to attend the funeral of their brother, Backus
Heath. Accompanying the societies were a
number of coiored roughs from this city, who
managed, during the trip down, to get prrlme.d
with viHainous whiskey. The result OF thus
was that, on the arrival of the party in our sis.
ter city, it became evident that turbulence and
INSTRUMENTATION would rule the day.
While the procession was being formed upon
the wharf Mayor Latham appeared with a
posse Of police and citizeus, and assured the
leaders of the Washington societies that they
would be protected in their effort to render
homage to the memory OF their deceased broth
er This action on the part of Mayor Latham
was called for by the fact that already the law
less portion of the excursonsts FROM this city,
in their drunken brutality, had managed to be-
come involved in quarrels and fights with the
citizens of Alexandria iu the vicinity OF the
wharf By the exertons of Mayor Latham
aud his men, all difficulties Were, however, adj
uSted for the time being. and the cortege star
ted for the graveyard. Just before the tune-
raj procession arrived at the grave yard, some
boys on the sidewalk commenced throwing
clods Of dirt at the men in line, aud instantly
a fight began between the excursionists and
the parties on the sidewalk. The extra police,
detailed by Mayor Latham, made two or three
arrests, and the disturbance was finally quoted
for the second time. Pending this state OF affairs,
Perry Carson, who figures as a leader OF the
colored men in this city, was arrested on &C
count of his inhammatory harrangues, but was
immediately released by Mayor Latham, on his
promise to do his best to quiet his people.
When the procession had returned to the
steamboat wharf, they had become SO disorder
~ that the greatest excitement prevailed III the
city, and the members or the lIth Virginia
regiment without any official notification, as
scmbed at the foot of King street, to assist IN
the preservation Of order in the city.
While the colored societies were waiting tor
the boats to start, Perry Carson mounted the
prov OF the steamer and made an iufammatoly
harrangue against all the people ofwhite blood;
but while he was speaking Mayor Latham,
backed by company of twenty special police
meu, stepped upon the boat, aud taking the
obstreperous Perry by the collar, led him off
the wharf without resistance on his part while
his associates looked on.
When the crowd arrived at the wharf to re-
turn to this city, the citizens were terribly excl
ted, and at one time the Mayor thought of ap-
pcaling to the old soldiers in the vicinity, as it
as it was feared there would be a general riot.
The boats, however, retured to Washington
with their lively freight, aud although squad
of police had been detailed by Major Richards