The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-02-18
The Riot.

outbreak occurred till the Committee which haC
been appointed to notify the King Of his election
attempted to leave the building and enter the
carriage waiting to convey them to the Palace
The crowd surrounded the carriage and laid hand:
on the members Of the committee. who attempt
ed to defend themselves, as best they could with
out weapons, and one or two Of whom we're badly
wounded before they effected entrance into the
building TO which they retreated. The carriage
was almost instantly demolished, the spokes and
other pieces serving as weapons to arm the riot
ers, who now began to be warmed up for further
destruction. A foreigner by the name of Foley
British subject. who attempted to assist one Of
the Representatives, was knocked down and
beaten by the rabble, until the British Commits
siouer came to his relief aud rescued him.
The crowd around the building now rapidly in
creased, aud became more noisy till about four
o'clock when a rush was made at the front door,
through which they burst. The government Off
GERS aud Others inside succeeded for while in
preventing the entrance Of the rioters, who then
made rush for and broke open the side and rear
doors, and commenced demolishiBg the furniture.
while q volley of stones from the crowd broke
nearly every pane of glass and sash in the lower
part of the building. Except from those station
ed inside, little or no assistance was obtained
from the Police, who simply stood by and looked
on. apparently sympathising with the mob. 1t
may be added that none of them were armed
with even batons.
The entire building was now OF the mercy Of
the mob, and the destruction of chairs, tables,
furniture. papers and books was executed so rap
idly that 10 less than half an hour the furniture
and contents we're thrown out from nearly every
room on the first and second floors The Office
of the Clerks Of the Court and the Library alone
we're respected. Marshal Parke, Mr.. Barnard,
assistant clerk, Sheriff Dayton AMI two policemen.
guarded these records of the Court, and per-
they were the property of the people. Had the
wills und records on deposit here been destroyed,
the loss could never have been repaired and the
confusion 10 which it would have gwen rise
must have affected every interest in the King
dom.
1t now became apparent that unless an armed
force could be brought in to check the rioters,
the building would be fred. and the destruction
Of this and other property would follow. An
order had been issued, Immediately after the riot
commenced, for the Rife and Artillery Compa-
mics to appear on duty. Capt. Hassinger report
Ell that only portion of the Artillery Company
could be relied on for this service Capt. Gulick
reported ten or twelve responses to his order
only six of whom we're willing to serve 10 sup
pressing the riot
Several gentlemen had been to Queen Emma,
and requested her to call off her supporters, but
no response came from that quarter. The only
alternative, in this emergency, was to seek aid
from the war vessels in port. About balf-past
a request came from the King elect and the Cab
met addressed to the British and American
diplomatic representatives, asking for armed as
sistance. Both these gentlemen Immediately re-
sponded. and the orders were transmitted to
Captain Ray of H. B. Ms Tenedos and to Cap
tains Belknup and Skerrett of the U. s. S. Tus-
sells attachments of marines we're landed very
aud reached the Court House by half
past o'clock. Immediately on the appearance
of the marines, the rioters threw down their clubs
and left the building, most of them going in a
body to Queen Emma's residence, shouting that /
tomorrow they would that she was chosen |
Queen. Here they continued to be very demon
strative hurrahing and making speeches, until
detachment of marines entered the premises and |
dispersed them. suH !
Among the foreigners who were prominent in
efforts to check the rioters, we're Messrs. g. @.
Harris, ). B. and George Dole. When the rush
vas made for the Police Court room, Mr.. Harris
stood in the doorway and, at the peril Of his life,
resisted the infuriate mob. When the rioters
-aised their clubs over his head, he threw of his
lat and dared them to strike blow. Then SIN
yle handed pitched about dozen of them off the (
teps, aud continued to guard the outer door,
hough the rioters effected entrance at another
Ioor and succeeded in their designs Of destroying
he furniture.
The American Minister aud the British and
French Consuls were also active in endeavors to
heck the fury Of the mob, aad when they found
hem useless, the two former quickly and cordial
? co-operated in complying with the request Of
be Government for the landing Of marines from
be war vessels. Nothing but the prompt ap-
earance Of these forces on the scene put stop
o the riot, and saved the further destruction Of
roperty.
As no outbreak of this kind had been antici-
ated no firearms had been provided. The Mar
hal had one or two pistols in bis Office, and two
the representatives were armed with pistols.
ut they were not used and il is perhaps as well
hat they we're not discharged, as this number
oud have had but little effect in staying the
lot, and may have increased it. Had there been
armed persons in the building at the
utset, there would have been no outbreak. It
as this entire absence Of means Of defence that
the rioters.
The fury of the mob was aimed at the repre-
sntalives who had voted for Kaakaua and the
uilding was searched for them. Whenever one
as found, he wan seized and beaten without
ercy. 10 all, thirteen representatives we're
ounded, also one foreigner aud one native ,
Ut connected with the Assembly. Messrs I
.ipi and iaupu Of HilO, Kakani Of Hama, and
ahnn Of South Kona we're the most dangerous
injured and will require several days or weeks
recover. The Others. Messrs. Birch, Kaukahs
IOehonua, Kapule. Kaiie. Kuphea, Koakanu,
onoaea escaped with slight wounds Iii re-