Connecticut western news., 1872-01-19
The Rochester Riot.

Ibe Rochester DenlOc7(t gives the fol
 lowing account of the mob scene, ant
 the general status of the case after the
 crowd had become so threatening tha
 the militia were called to the scene:
 On the west side of the river the
 militia occupied the bridge over the race
 the only other avenue of approach. The
 Sheriff had left the disposal of the militia
 to Col. Westcott, who was in command
 during the night. For long time
 nothing more serious occurred thar
 shouting, and most of this was done by
 Q parcel of boys who were nearest the
 bridge. Cries of "Give us the nigger ,
 and "Hang the william" were freely
 made. About 8 o'clock the crowd be.
 gan to turn their attention more directly
 to the militia, and the troops were taunt
 ed with various epithets. The abuse
 came principally from the rabble of boys
 in front. Some of the crowd grew bold
 CT, and finally several stones were thrown,
 and number of men belonging to Com,
 pany G and D were struck. The militia
 became greatly excited, and repeatedly
 asked their officers to be allowed to
 charge. Capt. Lauer says he told his
 men to hold their position, but in no
 case to fire. In the meantime, several
 brickbats were hurled by the crowd.
 One of the Sheriff's deputies was hit in the face, and a number of soldiers re- ceived hurts of 8 trifing character. No serious injuries were received by any one
 with the exception of one of the guard on the bridge who received serious cut on the face, being struck by stone. During this time, also, some one in the crowd fired five shots from a revolver in accession. Whether these shots were aimed at the troops or not is unknown. One of the patrolmen on the lane leading to the jail states that he heard the whistle of bullet which passed, as he judged, some ten feet above his head. Some three or more shots were fired afterward, none of them, however, taking effect. The crowd were standing in knots on Court street, and along the walks number were perched on lumber piles in the open space running from the corner of Exchange street, to the bridge across the race. The whole number of persons Tn the vicinity was about l, ,OOO
 None of the crowd were within twenty feet of the troops, and those immediate ly in front were boys. As our reporter passed through these, two of the soldiers leveled their guns in quick succession, and fired over the crowd. This had no effect on the mob, who hooted and ieered at the troops with new vieor. At this time nothing was being thrown, nor were the rioters making anything but q wordy demonstration. We may remark that every soldier was provided with thirty rounds of ball cartridge, as is usual when called out in an emergency. But the crowd supposed the militia were furnished with blank cartridges, and, so far from being intimidated by shots, maintained the same threatening Ian guage and kept up desultory fire of stones and brickbats. The guard at the bridge were becoming extremely restless, and asked their officers either to order charge or direct falling back from the position. It was then that Col. Vest cott, as we are informed, ordered Capt. Lauer with his company to dlsperse the mob. The men advanced at a steady pace, but, finding the crowd did not yield, called for reenforcements, and Company D. Capt. .Swartz, came up on run and formed on the right of the line. The mob slowly fell back, and at this instant member of Company D discharged his mdsket. The first shot was immediately followed by scattering volley from both companies A lieuten- ant of Company G states that the imme- diate cause of the firing was wound received by private Faber of Company D, who was struck by brick and dis abled. The mob fell back rapidly after the firing. It was then discovered that several had fallen. They were picked mp by persons in the crowd and carried across the street. As near as we can learn, the soldiers did not fire directly ahead, but aimed toward the edges of the crowd, and those shot fell near the north and south corners of Exchange street. As far as ascertained seven per sons in all were struck by the balls. Of these two died in few minutes, two are dangerously if not fatally wounded, and the rest more or less seriously. The first victim of this fatal volley was John Filter, whose business as freight deliverer has made him known to the whole com munity. He fell at the south corner of Court and Exchange streets, and was carried across the street into Mrs. John sons saloon. The ball had entered the left breast just above the heart. As he was laid upon the floor the bullet fell from the wound, having penetrated right through the body. He lived but a few moments. The body was taken to his residence, No. 72 Franklin street. MT. Filter had just before he was shot walked to the locality, with two or three companions, simply as Q spectator. The victim leaves widow and seven children. Henry Merriam was also shot down by the fatal fire. He was standing on Exchange street, in front of Wartield & Co.'s oil store, at the moment, or, as some assert, was passing that store on his way home from work, and therefore not at all in- volvcd in the riot. The bullet struck him in front, piercing the stomach. He also died in few minutes, after removal to the saloon. John Hllrecht was shot through the calf of the right leg. Louis Hamp and Elias Swanton were wounded and immediately carried to Dr. Ely's of flee on Fitzhugh street. Hamp was shot through the thigh, the bullet penetrat ting the limb. He was also struck in the left arm near the elbow. His condition was critical. Elias Swanton was, IS far as ascertained, not seriously hurt. | John Nolan was another victim. He was down and immediately removed by his friends to St. Mary's Hospital Joseph Kohle is the last of the victims as far as The ball entered anterior Q the right axilla (arm pit), passing leep in and backward. The wound is severe, but not necessarily fatal.
 After the firing the greater part of the ,rowd gathered around the places into which some of the dead and wounded lad been carried, and bitter threats were made against the military. At twelve md half o'clock midnight some shots were again fired by the soldiers. About fifty men were standing at the corner of Court and Exchange streets, and at hem the shots seem to have been direct d. The crowd were not making any or annoying the soldiers n any shape. We have set out to give IS near as may be truthful account of he whole proceeding, and therefore are
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