Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-11-03
THE ASHLAND RIOTS.
Particulars of Wednesdays Deadly
Conflict.
Statements Of Major Allen, Commander of
the Troops, and Officers of the Granite
Stats-The Troops Fired Only
in Self Defense.
A DESPERATE AND DETERMINED MOB.

CINCINNATI, o., November 2.-The Gran
ite State, the steamboat that yesterday car
ried the prisoners, Neal and Craft, from
Catlettsburg to Maysville, reached here
this morning. Her officers state that the
boat was taken into the service of the State
by Major Allen, and commanded to make
no landing except at Portsmouth. They
did not land even at Portsmouth, and
reached MaysYille at A. NJ, where there
was no excitement, there being no news Of
the trouble. The prisoners who had been
carefully kept in one of the rooms at the
end Of the cabin, were transferred TO the
iail. and the officers know nothing more
about them. They say the pilot house and
all the upper part of the boat
show Bullet MARKS,
bat that only two soldiers and d rousta-
bout were injured by the IRE OF the men
on the ferry boat One Of these was
drummer, who was hit in the haad. The
other soldier was struck in the head. The
wounds are not serious.
Mr. Phyister, clerk of the Granite State,
says Major Allen engaged their steamer on
Tuesday night 10 convey the prisoners and
troops 10 Msysyille but this was kept
profound secret even from the other boat
officers, Major Allen wishing TO avoid
with the mob. They telegraphed
to Major Allen that they would be at Cat
lettsburg at half past IL. but failed TO reach
there till the afternoon. He thinks if they
conld have arrived promptly the whole
trouble would have been avoided. When
the boat came to Catlettsburg there were
ominOus signs of q disturbance. Promi-
nent men at that place assured Capt. Kirker
that the
Boat would he Attacked.
A large shipment of cattle was kept off for
fear Of disaster. A committee from the
Ashland mob waited on Maj. Allen and de-
manded the prisoners. The demand was,
warned Maj. Allen that the prisoners
would be taken. When the boat left
the mob took the train, which
consisted OF an engine and passenger car
and four fiat cars. The train was filled
with men, and as the road runs near the
river at the start, the men could be heard
halfowing and could be seen firing at the
boat. The distance was too great TO make
this of any significance than defiance OF
When Ashland was reached
the ferry was seen apparently filled with
belhgerent people, and the wharf boat was
also full of men, and the banks lined with
people. The pilot blew two whistles as il
TO land, but with no intention OF landing
This was a ruse to get away from the ferry
boat When the latter saw the Granite
State was steaming by four whistles were
sounded by the ferry boat to get the Granite
State to land. No attention was paid to 1t,
and
when the Firing Began
the Granite State refused to take the pris.
cners till q written order was issued com.
them to do so. Brose Dennis, who
with Mr. Williamson, occupied the pilot
house, the latter being on watch, says two
soldiers were placed in the pilot-hOuSe to
keep the pilots at their post. He says
that shots were fired at the Granite State
both from the wharf-bOat aud from the
mob on the bank. Many Of these were
struck the pilot house. A number of other
bullet marks appear on other parts OF the
boat OF the firing from the banks and
wharf. boat Dennis is certain. Both he and
clerk Physter say it would have been easy
for the ferry boat to have Overtaken them
and had renewal of the battle if the
troops had not acted with promptness in
returning the fire. They speak In conf
mendatiOn of the action of the officers, and
say there was no disposition show To be
or malicious.
Major Aliens Statement.
LExGSGroN KY, November q Upon the
return of the troops to Lexington. a re-
porter of the Associated Press interviewed
the commanding officer, Major Allen, and
obtained the following statement: The mo-
ton for a change Of venue having been
granted by Judge Brown and the case re-
moved to Carter county, an order was issued
directing the sheriff, in connection with
the State guards, to convey the prisoners
back to Lexington for safe confinement.
During that afternoon there were good
many TumOrs 70 the effect that large crowds
were congregating at Ashland, preparatory
TO coming to CatlettSburg that night to
take the prisoners Craft and Neal. A tele-
gram wsS received by Major Allen from an
official Of the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad, stating that mob had
Taken Possession orthe Tools
,f the railroad section hands at Ashland,
and, as this telegram states, evidently mean
Another telegram was received
oy the Major stating that mob had torn
40 the railroad track at Ashland, believing
that the troops would return that night
with the prisoners. Major Allen had for
his command return tickets over the CheS-
apeake aud Ohio railroad, ana intended 70
90 back that evening, but believing 1t un-
safe, made arrangements through his quar-
.ermaster with :he captain Of the steamer
Granite State, which went up to Hunting
ton that evening, to take them on his re-
turn trip to MsySyille. That night the
troops, in expectation of an attack from
mob from Ashland, placed the prisoners
under the stricteSt guard OF nineteen men,
who were relieved every two hours.
Every street ApPrORching the Courf
House
was guarded. and mounted pickets were
posted at different points OF the town, un
der the command of Captain Murphy, to
appraise the troops Of the approach Of any
mob. Nothing occurred that night except
the firing by some party OF anvils ana guns
in the eneighborhoOd of the quarters OF the
troops, which caused them to turn out four
or five times during the night, believing an
attack imminent. At twelve o'clock, We'd
neSday noon, the order was given for the
troops to move down To the river front,
Major Allen having learned in the mean.
time that mob from Ashland was on their
way 10 Catlettsburg. The troops were
to the river 'front.' The
prisoners were marched with guard
detail, and with two companies 10 assist
in guarding TO the wharf boat. The re
mai1der of The troops we're posted on hill
which commands the river froot. The
guns Of the Louisville Light Artillery, COM
manded by Lieut.. Bligh, were
PLACED Facing the Depot
at which the mob was expected to arrive,
two squares of the street lead
ing to the river front The necessary
guards were posted on each side OF the can
non to support the artillery. The LsNing-
ton Guards were posted st another
street, at right angles TO the
river front, to preyen. any flank
movement by the mob. The remainder OF
the troops were placed behind the Alger
House. which faces the river, ready to
wheel into line around the corner to take
the place of the military guards in sup
porting the artillery in case the latter
81 ards should be disabled. This position
had hardly been taken before train from
Ashland, consisting Of a locomotive, one
or two passenger cars and Eve Or six fla
cars, closely
Packed with . Mob
from Ashland came in sight This train
stopped in full view of the artillery and
guards. A delegation of some
twenty five or thirty men approached the
troops and called for Major Allen. He ad-
yanced TO them about one hundred yards