The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-10
The Row In Wilmington on Election
DDy.
[From The Wilmington Journal, IT'LL

The most dsgraceful disturbance that has
ever excited our city occurred here yesterday
afternoon. 1t was all the result OF. the devil
that seems to take possession Of James Hea-
ton, the candidate on the regular Radical
ticket, whenever he gets drunk. During the
earlier portion of the day this individual be.
hayed himself with every propriety, although
he was active in bis labors at the various
ward polls, but during the afternoon he APP
reared in the First Ward and acted in u
very disorderly manner. He was taken of
in hack by his friends, just as serious
disturbance was imminent, and was driven
to the Third Ward polls.
Here he began, without the slightest pro-
vocation, to curse and abuse the ''rebel Ku-
klux Democracy" A gentleman who was
standing near, made for him, when police
man Martin attempted to arrest Heaton. A
crowd of negroes then gathered around him
and the whites began to close in. The mayor
then appeared on the scene and finally
Heaton's friends were allowed to take him
Oft in his hack, amid the cheers of the as
sembled negroes. In this we censure the
mayor, as he should have sent Heaton off to
the guard.house at once and kept him there.
There were enough white men ONT the ground
who were ready and prepared to carry
out this arrangement, in despite of the
large body of negroes assembled, but the
mayor accepted the assurances Of Heaton'S
friends that he would be taken off and kept
quiet, and so let him 60. It was then said
that Heaton had driven down to the Fourth
ward, and rush of both whites and ne
groeS was made in that direction. Instead,
however, he shortly afterwards appeared at
the corner of Market and Second streets,
where he was surrounded by an excited
crowd of negroes, all brandishing clubs, and
swearing death and destruction to all who
opposed them. The mayor and the marshal
were soon on the spot with a
strong squad of regular and special
police, and a struggle soon began between
them and the crowd for the possession of
Heaton's person. The police forbore to use
their arms, and, so far as we could learn, but
one blow with stick was struck by negro
outsider, although there was continual war
of fislicuffs going on. The conflict surged
down Market, then down Front to Dock
street, and on Dock street Heaton took refuge
in Netf's saloon, where Alessrs. George z.
French and e. B. Sanders, the latter having
been one Of those who appeared with him in
the First Ward, succeeded in getting him off.
The police then yielded him into their hands,
and they marched up street with him to Mr..
French's room, where he was taken in doors,
and kept there.
Of course there was terrible excitement
felt all through the city, and groups OF
whites and blacks were gathered together on
Market and Front streets. At one time a
movement was organized BY a number OF
young mon to take Heaton from his refuge
to ho LII I1,fsf ho
counsels of older and wiser heads prevailed.
About 8 O'Clock there was imminent danger
of another outbreak, which was only pre-
vented by earnest and active efforts and by
q judicious disposition OF the police force.
Several rocks were thrown, one of which
struck Mr. John n. CaZaux. in the face, in
juring him quite painfully. Mr.. f. w.
Kercbner, we understand, was also slightly
injured. At ~ O'Clock the crowds had all
dispersed, and the mayor and marshal pa
to insure continued quiet.
We think that every man, woman, and
child in this city has good reason to be glad
that the consequences OF this disturbance
were not more serious than they were.
There were but few white men on the streets
who were not prepared to meet any emer-
gency, and had an actual conflict occurred
the result would not have long been in
doubt.
( This last escapade will doubtless cost Hea.
ton dearly. The peace and safety Of q whole
community cannot be placed at the disposal
of one man, and the strong arm of the law
will be made to fall upon the offender. The
public sentiment will rest satisfied with nos
thing less than its most rigorous enforce
!ment.