The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-07-28

besides which a number Of ladened oil cake
and coal cars we're piled mp in the mass;
While a norton OF the mob surrounded the
building in which the military had taken
refuge, large bodies proceeded 70 set hro it
the oil cars, and in moment the huge vol
umes of black smoke which rolled upwards
out in ovbry direction told that the work OF
destgnctien had commenced The sight OF
the flames seemed to literally craze the rot
ers, some of whom rushed wildly ahoat with
flaming torches in their hands. applying them
to the cars Unfortunately. An alarm was
sounded and the department promptly re,
sponded, but the rioters had complete contro'
Of the city and refused to permit them to 60
to make any effort 10 eNtinguish the fameS'
They said they were determined to destroy
the railroads company's property, but do no
injury TO that belonging to private citizens
They kept their word, too, and when a lnm'
Der pile belonging to a citizen TOOK IRE the
rioters themselves turned IN aud help TO eN
tuguish the flames aud remove the lumber to
n safe place.
Train after train was fired by the inturiated
crowd, but the cars were so far distant from
the round.h9uses that the heat did not seri'
ously affect the military, although their posi-
ton was not one Of peril Finally large
party OF strikers captured q car filled with
coke, which they run from the Allegheny
Valley railroad track to siding connecting
with the PENNSYLVANIA railroad. They then
procured large quantities Of petroleum oil,
and pouring it over the coke ignlted the
materials. In q very few moments the car
was "A mass of fire, aud il was then pushed
alone the tracks and forced against the round.
house. The building was soon iguited and
the soldiers were now compelled to prepare
to fight their way out through the irenzled
mass of humanity clamoriug for their blood.
The building did not burn US rapidly rs was
desired, aud the mob, bent on revenge, rush
/ ed out the road aud Sent burning trans to.
wards the doomed buildings.
! From midnight until five o'clock this morn
/ ing the main efforts Of the crowd were direct
ed to firing buildings aud ears, hut about half
an hour later the mob which had been
| bcsieging the military trorl some unexplained
reason withdrew. This afforded the troops,
who were in actual danger Of being roasted
alive, an opportunity to emerge from the
! building, and they succeeded ~ reaching
| Liberty street in very few moments. They
| quickly formed in line and marched up to
| Thirty.third street. aud thence to Pcunsylya.
! MIA avenue and Butler street. Their objective
point was the United States arsenal ON Butler
street where they expected to find shelter.
While turning into Butler street. however,
! the leaders had discovered their retreat, and
/ fully one thousand, armed and equipped with
ammunition, followed in pursuit. Some Of
| the troops fired at the citizens, either acct
deutally or Intentionally, rs they moved along
and this added fury TO the cry for revenge.
| When the; reached the arsenal the commnu
| der refused to admit them. He said he had
but ten men, and would be powerless TO hold
! the place ii the mob should attack il. He
consented TO take care of the wounded, aud
| they we're accordingly carried into the hos
| ptal. The main body Of the troops contnu.
ed their march out Batter street, a fusiaie
being kept up on them by the mob as they
moved forward.
The shots fired killed one OF the soldiers
before they reached the arsenal and nearly
opposite the cemetry gate fully mile above
the arsenal, two others were killed aud were
left lying on the sidewalk They continued
their flight, crossed over to the north side Of
the Allegheny river on Sharpsburg bridge,
the mob following them as rapidy as possible.
After reaching the north side the troops
scattered, and in this way the mob was diyid.
ed into very small bodies.
| In the meantime the city was in a state of
anarchy, thousands who had not Joined in
the pursuit OF fleeing troops gathered about
the burning buildings and trains and assisted
IN spreading the flames wherever they had
not been applied BY seven o'clock the FIRE
had extended from Millyile station to Tween.
ueih street, and euveloped hundreds OF cars.
the extensive machine shops, two round.
houses, the depots and Office Of the Union
Z IraftEsa- It..I.-...tl 4
houses and numerous other buildings making
up the terminal facilities of this mammoth
corporation. In the round houses were I2j
iirSi-elass locomotives, which had been housed
in consequence Of the strike. These were
totally destroyed, but even the immense los,
which will be sustained In this item Is but n
tribe IN the aggregate damage done.
The sceaes lranspiring on Liberty street,
along the line Of which the tracks OF the rail.
road run, simply beggar description. While
hundreds were engaged in firing the cars
and making certain OF the destruction OF the
valuable buildings at the outer depot, tboas.
ands OF men, women aud children engaged 10
piliAging the cars men armed with heavy
siedges would break open the cars aud then
the contents would be thrown out aud carried
oil by those bent on proii,ing By the reign of
terror existing. The street was almost com.
pleiely blocAaded 10y persons laboring To
carry OF the plunder they had gathered TO.
geiher. In hundreds OF instances wagons
were pressed into service 10 enable thieves 10
get away with their goods. Major McCarty
early IN the day eudeAyored TO stop the
piilagei but the handful Of men at his com.
mand we're unable to control the crowd. who
were desperate IN their anxiety to secure the
goods. The pHlRge was checked, but the
mob bred the cars, and then proceeded with
me work OF destruction. IL Is impossible To
form any idea of the amount Of goods stolen
put hundreds OF thousands will not cover the
loss.
some OF the scenes, notwithstanding the
terror which seemed To paralyze peacenLle
and orderly citizens, were ludicrous in the
highest degree, and no one seemed TO cnioy
them with greater zest than those outragcI iy
the Wholesale pinnder. Here a brawny woman
could be seen hurrying away with pairs oT
white kid slippers under her arms. anotber
carrying an infant would be rolling barrel az
Hour along the sidewalk, using her feet ne ,be
propelling power. Here a man nnsb;pa
wheelbarrOw loaded with white lead. bovs
hurried through the crowd with largp. s;zsd
family Bibles as their share of the plnnder
while scores of females utilized aprons mi
dresses n, to carry -four, eggs, dry goods, etc.
Bundles Of umbrellas, fancy parasols bams
bacon, leaf lard, calico, blankets, laces ma
Hour were mixed together in the arms If
robust men or carried on hastily constructed
hand barrOws. Az eleven o clock in The morn,
ing II became apparent that something mn.,
be done TO check the mob, and number of
citizens hurriedly posted notices calling n
meeting OF citizens at old city hall 10 tske
measures to prevent further destruction of
property. "
The meeting was held at noon, and large
number OF leading citizens responded 10 he
call. It was decided to appoint committee
consisting OF Bishop Twigg, of the Catholic
Church, James Parker, JF., Dr.. L. DonneIiv
James j, Bennett and DR.. S. +. Seoyel, na,'
tor Of First Presbyterian Church, TO have A
conference with the rioters, while another
committee was appointed to wait on the rail.
road authorities to ascertain what course ,hev
intended to pursue, or TO suggest a CONNIE.
mise that wonld put an end to the disorder
which existed. The meeting then adiournc5
to meet again at four o'clock in the aiternoon