The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-07-21
The I'll. W."-AnOther Version of
the Affair.
EDITOR PRESS =

In the New Lexington Tribune of the
9th inst. appears an account of the Hip
podrome War, which, in my opinion, lis
very incomplete. Will you print this
version?
Prior to exhibiting in Somerset, an
arrangement was made with Messrs.
Fink & Ditoe TO furnish tickets to the
laborers in the railroad at reduced rates.
The laborers, among themselves, with a
view to prevent loss of time, arranged
that their women and children should
visit the afternoon performance and the
men should go at night.
At Thornville, where the show was
held on Tuesday. some one informed the
showmen that the Irish at Somerset in
tended to attack them, and they came
expecting an attack. There was no, such
intention on the part of the Irish.
Timothy Sullivan was then the Mar
shal of Somerset. When the Irishman
entered the show smoking his pipe and
refused to put it out. two Of the show
men grabbed him and started for the
entrance with him. Tim Sullivan and
John Lynch went up to these men; Sui
livan said he was an officer and would
idht CdIc Vi suc IeiEdClOEJ tfit
showmen refused to let Sullivan take
the man. Other Snowman came up, and
| other 1rishmen came mp. At the en-
trance were yet other showmen who, as
soon as the crowd reached them, made
| an indiscriminate attack upon the Irish.
! Anticipating tronble, from what they
had been told in Thornville, thev wer.
prepared to and did take the initiative
the Irish were evidently taken by sur
prise.
An old man named Sullivan, who
boarded in the "Old Exchange" hear
ing the noise, and knowing that his mi
nor son was at the show, went out to the
tent for the purpose Of bringing him
home. In the noise and confusion of the
| fight. be called out his sons name; a.
soon as the brogue of his tongue discov
cred his nationality, he was hit on the
head with kronk bottle, the blow caus
ing his death.
Several of the best men of the Irish
among them that giant, Tim O'Reagan
were at home when the fight began.
Had there been any intent or agreement
among the Irish to attack the showmen,
these "best men" would have been at the
commencement.
The Irish were completely beaten and
driven from the streets by the showmen
who had control of the town.
Old man Sullivan died. An applica
tion was made for warrant against III
showmen, and warrant was duly issuen
think, by Esq. Costigan, and placed in
rhe hands of Jacob Weirick, Constable
Weirick declared il impossible TO raise II
posse sufficient to arrest l25 armed show
men, and some citizen suggested that he
20 to the boarding houses and sbanties
and summon the Irish, who were. b>
this time, all at home, which he did.
TIE Irishmen declined to make an effor,
10 capture the showmen unless they, too,
were armed. The public arns we're
placed in their hands by General John
Lldey-I have forgotten who furnished
the powder and shot. Thus armed, and
thus summoned, they arrested the show
men. The manager of the show stated
> that it was advertised to exhibit in Ian
CATER the next day, and asked perrnis'
sion for his baggage and tent men to pro
ceed, which was granted. Those who
remained were put in the Gordon House
under guard of the armed Irish posse.
The showmen became restive ant
y swore they would not be kept prisoners
}. They cam out and were ordered back
Amos OHearen shot one of them ant
John Lynch shot another. The band
wagon was smashed. and there was con
sternation everywhere. That, Thurs
= day, evening the military company ar
!, rived from Zanesville, and that nigh
, over one hundred Trishmen were arrea,
D ed and confined in the court house
b Warrants against John Lynch and Amo
d O'Haaren had been duly issued, bu
a neither of them had been arrested. no
conld they be found. On FRIDAY morn
ing a court was organized under Esquire
Morris and CostiRan. Thomas Gs slighe
"a Esq. was Prosecuting Attorney; he r.
|. fused 20 proceed with the trial unless th
=. court would assign him assistanc
James Sheward, Esq. was assigned an
e. accepted nv Mr.. Gallagher. Mr. Shewa,
I'd arose and asked the court for 1.-THE p
ia pers." and Esq. Morris handed him II
complaints and warrants against Lvnc
and O'Hearen. "Are these all the p
.o pers?" asked Steward "Thev are" 81
~ the conrt. "Ia Amos O'Hearen or Jof
~ Lynch In conrt?" aaid Steward 18th,
W have not seen arrested said the cou,
.rs Then what are you doing with $50 m,
cb under an armed guard, and who am
try, and for whst7" Then there W
dc commotion sure enough. Steward fiat
refused to represent the State in prosec