The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-25
LION PARK RIOT.
Fight Dstwem the Police and Military 0rgaai-
safion-Muskets Bayoner and Clubs Freely
Used-A Number of Shots Fired-The
Wounded Taken to the Hospital-
Tho Origin Of the Row-A b.
rious Blot Squelched by the
Pluck Of the Police.

VlrOnS OF IWenty-ultn street ana ElRntn avenue,
under the name OF the 'Knights OF Columbia"
started out on what they please to term their
annual picnic. Lion Park was the objective point,
and no small amount OF noise and chafr accom-
panied the departure Of the gang on their pleasure
excursion. All the men carried muskets, with
bayonets inverted, and were under the command
OF captain.
This gentleman who has much regard for disclp-
line, so worked up his men that they rather pre-
scented the appearance OF bad militia regiment
than a mere outside and unrecognized organiza-
1ion and they themselves seemed to feel fully aware
of this. The departure OF SO important an expedi-
ton naturally involved the engaging Of q band OF
music, and Donovan's Band was the lucky
choice. This organization Is wen known for its
singularly hard blowing and its particular obsti-
macy All the way up to the Park the band did
marvels OF footing, and absolutely asroDished the
residents OF Eighth avenue, who are accus-
toned to this sort Of thing The Park was reached
and dancing began during the early part Of the
afternoon. Females began to arrive by the score,
and altogether 1t promised to be an exceedingly
lively afternoon. And 1t was. Indeed 1t was evil
dent, from cursory examination OF the counte-
nances OF the doughty Knights that they had no
small idea Of their own power and importance, not
only individually but collectively. In the meantime
the band continued to perform marvels OF instru-
mentaton, and their meIinuous footing even
astOnished the members OF
THE AMATEUR MILITARY ORGANIZATION.
They did eyerything-nOt only played waltzes
and polkas and scnottisches and Qnadrilles and
lancers, put accompanied drill parade, and, in
deed, made themselves 30 useful that the Knights
congratulated themselves on having obtained 80
model band Shortly after the setting OF the
the western horizon, and while jollity was
at its height, and not only the Knights but their
partners and friends were in the very excess Of
unalloyed pleasure. the brows Of lew OF them
were couded to see the musicians, members OF
Donovans Band, quietly packing up their instru-
ments. 1t was thought, however, that this was
mere move towards partaking OF supper, and not
much attention was paid to 1t. But when all the
members OF Donovan's Band were seen making
their way down the hill toward the Eighth avenue
cars the Captain rushed with the speed OF cleo
trlcity after the retiring musicians.
where are you golngf" he exclaimed
Home, - answered the bandmaster, IN the most
"Why, you are not going to leave us here with
out muster" reiterated the Captain, immensely
.sWeil you see," said the bandmaster 1--WE have
played our programme, and tnas's all we give for
BY this time number of the members Of the
company had gathered round, and, hearing this,
VERY GREAT HUE AND CRY,
They protested they were not going TO be swim
died In TINS way: The musicians did not ike the
term swindie,'' and protested. In tact, they made
further move to go, but here they were actually
resisted by the pcnlckers. Donovan's Band got
mad, and got OF a great deal OF very low Dutch,
but tins Jailed, to impress the knights, and
they threatened all manner of vengeance,
suade them BY this time guests joined
IN and became still more vocilerous, and
Things assumed very lively aspect, so lively in
deed, that Mcdonnell thought 1t well to send for
the police reserve at the Inrtiet1 precinct While
tween the band and the irate picnckers. They
attempted to restore some order and enservored
N m IN 10 ma m olua nAar n
ing, but this seemed to be absolutely impossible.
Finally the picnickers Though 1t must be said
she mere guests were in the majority made
dash at The band, apparently resolved, as they
TO make ana them them sy few spts
formed In line and offered resistance. The band in
THE DIREsT CONSIDERATION,
and with terror to urge them, took to Night and
finally posted themselves on commanding
eminence, wnere they were in fancied security. In
endeavored to resist the onslaught Of the pic
nickers, but found 1t impossible, and began to re-
inc ponce on and the n one en Gano nsed tner
could be distinctly heard in the melee. Blood be.
gan to now. The gallant Knights new to the as
sstance OF their friends and brought the butt ends
OF their muskets into play, dong no small execu-
ton. The Captain, who had taken sides with the
police, OF course, against the rioters, found himself
IN a very disagreeable predlcament, and in mo-
mentary danger of losing has head, when up came
the reserves at double quick. The crowd who were
above, not mingling in the ARRAY, seeing the blue
coats coming, shouted,
"POLICEl POLICE"
and the combatants for moment at this we'll
known cry ceased from their turmoil. Already
three men lay on the ground hors an combat For
a moment IL seemed doubtful what would ensue,
when the sudden onslaught OF the freshly arrived
police decided it. On they came in gallant style
and were met III an equally gallant manner.
THE KNIGHTS DID NOT QUIvER
neither did their friends, but stood the shock, and
being reinforced by number OF other Knights, all
armed with muskets ana bayOne Is fixed, the real
battle began: At first all that could be heard was
Occasionally duh thud told OF a blow having
reached home. Blood began to pour last. and now
and then tremendous whack with the butt OF
musket told OF serious damage. The bayonets
were freely used Things were gone now too far
for any mediation. The Knights had drunk
raj policemen got slight Dayonet wounds in the
melee which would have been more serious had
the "boys" only known how to their weapons.
Rowdies began falling the ground pretty fast,
and many battered faces told of the execution OF
the locnsts Whack whack on human skulls
resounded every moment and still the Knights
Kept their ground, and, finding the police did not
scare some OF them
and took deliberate aim al the police. Fortunately
the aim was bad or death might have ensued.
come tie police formed IN fI line once s more and at
the word Of command made 2 furious onslaught
hey ns IN Disorder down ne the @
the police pursuing and taking prisoners.
The place where the fight took place
OF the crowd received serious wounds Captain
McDonnell was struck with musket butt on his
lett leg njuring severely. 1t is feared The bone
is broken Some fourteen others were so hurt by
clubs that they had to be taken to the hospital IN
Dattle again began, and one Martin Hopkins
stabbed an on1cer with his bayonet. The wound
was only flesh one and Onicer Haggerty, who
kins. Several muskets, with fixed bayonets were
taken rom the fighters by the police. When the
HISTORY does not record what became OF the band.
AT THE POLICE COURT.
Yesterday morning number OF prisoners whom
the police arrested were taken TO Court and while
some were held In bonds 10 keep the peace, the