Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-07-17
a Report Of the Riot in Lewis
town, In the County of Mif3in.

sioher uroninger, we find the following a-.
uc.e, which explains itself. 1t will be read
win great interest by the people of Juniats
county Today The reader will understand
Una. the disturbance took place befofe Ju-
hiata was Organized into county,f
sh'0on Monday, the 18th of Septem-
Der, 1871, the Hon. W. Brown, James grv.
son and James Armstrong, Rsquires. met
IN the forenoon, in order to open the Court
ana proceed to business; but Thomas Beale.
ESQ, one of the Associate Judges. not hay-
ing arrived, their honors waited until three
O'CLOCK In the afternoon, at which time he
arrived, and was requested to proceed with
them and the officers of the court To the
court house He declined going, and the
procession moved on to the court honse.
where the judges commissions were read.
the ccurt opened, and the officers and the
attorneys of the court sworn in. and the
court adjourned till ten O'Clock next morn
ing
About nine O'Clock, while preparing busi-
ness TO lay before the grand jury, received
information that large body of men were
assembled below the Long Narrows, at Da-
wa Jordaa's tavern, on the Juniata, and
were armed with guns, sN ords and pistols.
with an avowed intention to proceed To
Lewistown, and seize Judge Bryson on the
bench and drag him from his seat, and
march him off before them, and otherwise
lll-treat him. This information was In
stantly communicated to Messrs. Brown.
Bryson, and Armstrong, the Judges who
agreed with ME that Samuel Edminton,
Esq, the Prothonorary, Judge Beale,
- Stewart, Esq, - Bell, ESQ.,,
should, with George Wilson, Esq, the
Sheriff Of Miffiin county, proceed to meet
tie rioters and the Sheriff was commanded
to inquire of them their object and inten-
ton. and il hostile, 10 order them to dis
perse, and tell them the court was alarmed
at their proceedings.
Two hours after this, the court opened,
and grand jury was impanneled. fife
was heard playing, and some guns were
fired, and Immediately the mob appeared
marching towards the court house, with
three men on horseback in front, having the
gentlemen that had been sent to meet them
under guard in the rear, all of whom, on
their arrival at Lewistown, they permitted TO
go at large, except the sheriff, whom four of
their number kept guard over. The Court
ordered me, as the representative of the CON-
monwealth, to go and meet them, remon-
strate against their proceedings, and warn
them of their danger, which order was
obeyed, but all endeavors we're in vain, the
mob crying cut, 80 March on March on
Draw you sword on him Ride over him 20
| seized the reins of the bride that the
principal commander held, viz: - Will
son, Esq brother of the sheriff aforesaid,
who was well mounted and well dressed,
with a sword, and | think two pistols belted
around him, cooked hat, and one or two
feathers in it. He said he would not dcsist,
but at all events proceed TO take Judge
Bryson off the bench, and march him down
the Narrows to the judges farm, and make
him sign a written paper, that he would
never sit there judge again.
The mob still crying out, ssMarch on! ;" he
drew his sword, and told me he must hurt
me, unless would let go the reins. The
crowd pushed forw ard, and nearly pressed
me down; one of them, as learned after
wards, nephew Of Judge Beale, presented
pistol at my breast with full determine
ton 10 shoot me. | let the reins go, and
walked before their until | arrived at the
stairs on the outside of the court house,
when Judge Armstrong met me and said:
8. Since nothing else viii do, let US defend
the stairs.' We instantly assembled, as did
also Mr.. Hamilton and the gentlemen of the
bar, and many citizens and the rioters,
headed by William Wilson, Col. Walker
and Col Holt, came forward, and the gen.
eral cry was, 90 March on, damn you, pro
ceed and take him." Judge Armstrong re-
piled, eYou damned rascals, come on; we
will defend the court and ourselves, and be-
fore you shall take Judge Bryson, you shall
kill me and many others, which seems to be
Your intention, and which you may do" At
this awful moment one Holt seized Judge
Armstrong by the arm, with intent to pull
him down the stairs, but he extricated him
self Holt's brother then got a drawn
sword and put it into his hands, and damned
him 10 run the rascal through; and Wilson
drew his sword on me with great rage, and
young Beale drew his sword, and cooked
his pistol and presented it. L told them
they might kill me, but the Judge they
could not, nor should they take him-and
the words, Z. Fire away!'' shouted through
the mob. put my hand on his shoulder,
and begged hIm to consider where he was,
who | was, and reflect but for moment.
told him to withdraw the men, and appoint
| any two or three of the most respectable of
his people to meet me in half an hour, and
try to settle the dispute. He agreed, and
with difficulty got them away fiom the
court house. Mr. Hamilton then went with
nae to Mr.. AlexaDder's tavern, and in came
Wilson and Walker, and also Sterrett. whom
soon discovered to be their chief coun-
sellor.
Proposals were made by me, that they
should return home, offer no insult to Judge
Bryson or the court, and prefer to the Gov
ernor a decent petition, stating their griev-
ances iii they had any) that they might be
laid before the Legislature; and that in the
meantime, the judge should not sit on the
bench of this court. They seemed agreed.
and our mutual honor was to be pledged /;
but terrett, who pretended not to be con-
cerned, stated that great delay would take
place; that injuries bad been received
which demanded instant redress, and OBJ
jected to the power of the Governor as to
certain points proposed AT this moment
young Beale and Holt came up, the former
I ,.sn nt,a.x