The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-07-03
Sanguinary Riot at Chicago.
CHICAGO. June 90.

CHICAGO, June Y.
One of the companies which, under a
recent act of the Legislature, must short
ly cease to exist, became involved in a
fight with some unarmed people this after
noon, which resulted in the death of sew
eral of the latter. The Bohemian Sharp
shooters, an association composed ofsome
twenty individuals, held picnic to-day
at Silver Leaf Grove, at the corner of Og-
den and Western avenues. During a
dance one of the Sharpshootcrs engaged
in a quarrel with Volney Clark, visitor,
and after beating him severely, had him
elected from the grounds. Clark stated
his grievances to q crowd outside the
gates, and gaining some sympathy there,
inaugurated an indiscriminate throwing
of sticks and stones into the inclosure
where the picnic was being held.
The Lieutenant of the company, Frank
Ladweic, ordered the long roll sounded and
bayonets fixed. A charge was Immediately
made toward the gate, and the crowd was
bayoneted and sabred until they fell
back. The company reformed outside of
the gate in single line, facing the street,
and, loading their guns, fired a volley
into the crowd. They Immediately re-
loaded and again fired, each Sharpshooter
picking his man. 1t is stated that three
or four volleys were fired. Tie weapons
used were muzzle-loading Springfield
muskets, and the cartridges contained
nine buckshot each. AS soon as the
affair became known, two squads of police
repaired to the scene and arrested the
whole company, which formed in march
ing order under the American flag and
proceeded to West Madison Street Sta
ton, where they are now incarcerated on
the charge of murder, and guarded by
heavy detachment of police. The cap
tain of the company was not present du
ring the affray. 1t is rumored that an
attempt will be made by the Lehr and
Wehr Verein to rescue the prisoners to-
night.
LATER-The Lehr and Wehr Vercin,
which has been holding picnic out
side Of the city to-day, made no effort on
their return to release the prisoners. 1t
appears that the picnic was given by
Bohemian Sunday school, and that a
numerous gang of drunken roughs had
all along given considerable trouble, until
finally those in charge of matters sent for
the Sharpshooters for protection. They
arrived about three o'clock, and shortly
afterward the trouble began, as above re-
lated. The lieutenant tonight denies
that he gave the order to fire: but says
that after he had cleared the grounds by
bayonet charge there was such rain of
stones and bricks that his men began
desultory fire without orders. The mem
bers of the company all refuse to talk
about the affair. Seventeen are detained,
the others having been released.
The arrival of the police to conduct
them to the station probably saved the
Sharpshooters from personal violence, as
they were surrounded by an excited mob
of about 1000 persons. The following is
believed to be a complete list of casual
ties: Valentine E. Clarke, severely
wounded by blows on the head; D. H.
Wilkie, bayonet wound three inches in
length ON left temple; John Donohue,
left side of jawbone shattered and shot
through the body, said to have died;
Henry Williams shot in body and neck;
Albert jenkins, shot in right shoulder;
Daniel Mccarthy, bayonet wound: A
little boy, name unknown, was cut with
bayonet.