The New York herald., 1877-03-18
THE AFRICAN RIOT.

TRIAL OF SAUNDERS, PRINCE AND REILLY ron
AssAuLTISo CAPTAIN M'poNNELI.
That portion OF the Eighth ward known as africa
was well nigh depopuated yesterday nearly all OF its
colored denzens being present the Court Of Special
Sessions The object Of attraction the trial
o the negro desperado Jen SAUNDERS aud his coored
pals. William Prince and Henry Reilly Tor assault
upon Captain Charles Mcdonnell. OF tho Eighth
precinct. Since the assault committed on
the tn inst excitement has run high among
the coIored people OF tho ward the peace
ably disposed sympathizng heartily with the Captain
ana hoping thai tho ruans would receive their de-
serts Saunders, on the other hand. not without
friends who determined to make legal dght against
the Captain who had made himself SO unpopular by
his frequent rulds ami determined opposition to law
iessness IN africa -
The accused were represented by Counsellor spen-
Ger, who endcavored TO prove mistaken identity
CAPTAIN M'poSxgLL's ENCOUNTER
The hrst witness called was Captain Mcdonnell who
testified TO the assault substantially described In
the HERALD at the time. He patroiing Thompson
street the afternoon OF the 7th insL when he saw
largo crowd lew blocks ahead. and hurryng to the
scene, he learned that drunken negro rioters
were assauII'ng pcuccabie persons OF their own
color Almost the hrss person he encountered
who nad only just come down from Sing Sing, where
he had served two-year sentence Tor iclonous as
having been arrested that occasan by Captain Nc
DonnelI himself Ou seeing him the Captain do
manded 10 Know the cause OF tho disturbances. saun-
dcrs jumped back . few stops, and, making a notion
as II to draw pistol, shouted, with an oath. Cap
tain McDonneg you White @ n write VI S,oyo ySu.
The words were scarcely out OF his mouth when tho
Captain had him 1rmIy graspcd by the arms. saun.
dcrs struggled and shouted, and the crowd hemmed
around The Captain, 10 keep them back, drew
his pistol and demanded saunders to surrender.
With another oath saunders partially freed himself
blow IN tho face, KNOCKING out one OF his teeth.
Prince and several other negroes then rushed TO their
panon's rescue aud the Captain was overpowered,
Knocked down AMI kckod The crowd rapidly Increased,
until IL seemed as II every negro IN New York was
10 tho Captains rescue, and single handed he fought
the desperate negroes reraning from using his pistol
except as u club. Al last Mr. Henry j. Wech ana
Mr. John Purcell two OF the white spectators rushed
the The Captain helu to Saunders aud
Prince despite the odds against hm, aud succeeded IN
bringing them 10 the station house Among other
negroes who assaulted him was Henry Reilly, who
struck him heavy ulow on the head with u cane,
breaking his hat but seriously hurting MIN.
Reilly was subsequently arrested by Onlccr kehoe.
The Captains Injuries consisted OF severe bruises on
the side, dlslocuted thumb, tooth knocked out and
q slight wound on the head.
On cross-cxaminaton the Captain said hc could not
swear that his humb injured uy the prisoners Its
dsocaton might been caused by his tne capain)
striking OF them with his lst Hc fully Identified
the prisoners as !he persons who assaulted hi and
peradoes, but THIS the Court would not allow.
OTHER TESTIMONY.
Mr.. WEIGH corroboratcd the Captains testimony.
There largo crowd present II might have
numbered 1000 The excitement was intense. Hc
tho prisoners Saunders and Prince struggling with
the Captain.
Mr. Purcell also testified TO the assault and Identified
the prisoners the assallants witness went to the
Captain assistance; Captain Mcdonnell was for long
while single handed; ho neld on 70 Saunders through
out, while Tho otner negroes jumped upon him and
Knocked him down.
For the delonco counsel put the prisoners
stand They denied the assault After the testimony
several other witnesses was heard the Court ouud
eaCi
three months on the island.
rhc Court gave Reilly the benefit OF the doubt TO
him.
The light penalty imposed upon tho prisoners Was
commented on by those present at the trial AS very
strange Wow OF tho notorious character OF
and the violence OF the assault