The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-09
MURDER TRIAL EXTRAORDINARY.
Nine Men Charged with Homicide-Thc
Sequel of the Pattenburg IN. J.) Riots.

FLEMINGToN, N. j., April s, 1873.
. The trial OF the Pattenburg rioters, which was to
have commenced to-day Is the cause of consider
able excitement in this sleepy little town. From
an early hour in the morning the country people
from the vicinity OF the place where the riot oc-
CURED commenced to pour in in all sorts OF vehi-
cles, and by ten O'Clock the single street which the
village contains was blocked with motley-lOok-
ing assembly. Curious people, who would like
to know in what way the antediluvians dressed
and looked, could not do better than come
to village In the remote part of New Jersey dur
ing the half-yearly sitting of the Court. The man.
ncrs and customs of the Revolutionary times are
here kept up in all their glory, and costumes and
vehicles which in any other State would be looked
upon as ridiculous and antquated in this place
cause neither comment nor establishment
The circumstances OF the fatal riot, which oc-
CURED on the evening Of the 22d and the morning
OF the $50 OF September last, are still fresh in the
minds OF the readers OF the HERALD. ON the
evening of the 22d the people who lived
in the. immediate vicinity OF Pattenburg
were startled by the sounds OF fierce alterea-
tons on the road. The noises continued for
some time and then died away, and nothing
more was heard un til early the xt morning From
the TACT that large numbers of negroes and irish
men were employed IN the construction of a new
railroad near the village and the luminosity that is
known to exist between them, the frequent rows
which took place had come to be looked upon as
occurrences that were inevitable; but this encoun-
the Sunday morning the dead body of
an Irishman, Thomas Coll, was found found lying
some some farmers u and laborers who were going
to their work. About the same time an unusual
commotion was observed near the shanties occu-
pied by the Irish laborers, and soon after dense
body OF men, about hundred and fifty or two
hundred, were seen coming down the road. They
were armed with every sort OF conceivable
weapon-pckaXes, spades, guns, pistols ana clubs.
When asked what they meant by such de-
monstration they answered that one Of their
m prh a
the preceding night, and that they Intended TO
have vengeance.
from those occupied by the Irishmen, being stu
aJed on the farm OF a Mrs. Carter. 1hither the
Irishmen went with all speed, and very soon
shouts and the noise OF firearms could be heard in
the stiffness OF the morning. IL Is alleged that
fierce combat took place at this place. and In the
melee two negroes received their death wounds.
The negroes, being unprepared for the attack, and
having no means OF defence, were forced to re-
treat their tight being accelerated by the
smoke and names Of their burning shanties,
which the lrlsnmen had fred. The negroes fed in
the direction OF Mrs. Carters house closely pur-
sued by their foes. Here two more negroes we're
Killed, and, the rest escaping, the bloody Sunday
mornings WORK was ended.
Notwithstanding the terrible nature OF the riot
the news was not communicated to the Sheriff Of
the county, who lives about ten miles distant, until
OF the ringleaders had escaped. But ten of
the Irishmen and two negroes were cap
tnred through the vigilance OF the officers.
They conveyed to the County
Jail at Pennington, and q preliminary examination
was held previous to their commital for trial. The
investigation, which in New York would occupy
about a day, extended over the long period OF
seven weeks. the proceedings were presided over
with grave dignity by Mr.. Durham, the village
justice, who has the merit rare in Judge, of never
interrupting the proceedings by any unnecessary
talk. The prisoners were finally committed for
trial. They were brought up for trial IN Decem-
Der, but owing to the loose manner In which the
indictments were drawn up by the District Attor-
ney the Judge refused to proceed with the trial.
An error or this kind is not apt to occur again,
and the trials will be promptly proceeded with, the
Grand Jury having retired to bring IN fresh ndlct-
ments. As there are large numbers OF Irishmen
and negroes attending the trial grave fears are
entertained that collision may take place, and
the Sher1rs officers are on the alert to prevent any
such occurrence.