Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-03
THE ASHLAND RIOT.
Particulars OF the Battle Between the
Mob and the Military for the
Possession OF
Neal and Craft, the Catlettsburg Murder
ers-What Maj. Allen Says
Ab0ut the Fight.

CINCINNATI, November 1.-The Granite
State, the steamboat that yesterday carried
the prisoners Nesl and Crsft from Cailetts-
burg TO MaysvIlle, reached here this morn
Ing Her officers state that the boat was
taken into the service of the State by NJ al
Allen, and commanded TO make no landing
except at Portsmouth. They did not land
even At Portsmouth, and reached Maysville
al = O'Clock am. Here there was no excite
meni, there being no news of the trouble.
The prisoners, who bad been carefully kept
IN one OF the rooms at the end of the cabin,
were transferred TO the jail, and the officers
knew nothing more about them. They say
the plloihouse and all the upper part OF lhe
boat show bullet marks, but that only two
soldiers and roustabout were injured by
the hre OF the men on the fsrryboat. One OF
these was a drummer, who was hit in the
hand; the other was a soldier, who was
struck in the head. The wounds are not
serious.
Mr.. Phister, clerk of the Granite State,
says Maj. Allen engaged their steamer on
Tuesday last TO convey the prisoners and
troops to Nashville, but this was kept pro-
found secret even from the other boats OF
ticers, Maj Allen wishing 10 avoid collision
with the mob. They telegraphed 10 MAJ.
Allen that they would be al Catlettsburg at
IL 30 O'Clock, but failed to reach there
till the afternoon. He thinks if they could
have arrived promptly the whole trouble
would have been avoided. When the boat
came 10 Catlettsburg there were Numerous
signs OF a disturbance Prominent men at
that place assured Capt. Kirker that the
boat would be attacked.
A large shipment of cattle was kept off the
boat for fear of disaster. A committee
from the Ashland mob waited on Mai. A lien
and demanded the prisoners. The demand Of
course was refused, and the committee
warned Maj. Alien that the prisoners would
be taken. When the boat left Catlettsburg,
the mob took the uain, which consisted
OF an engine, passenger car, and four flat
cars. The train was filled with men, and as
the road runs near the river, at the start the
men could be heard shouting, and could be
seen firing at the boat. The distance was
too great to make this of any other
significance tn an defiance or threatening.
When AshlanI wss reached the ferry boat
was seen, apparently filed with belligereut
people, and the wharfboat was also
full OF men and the banks lined
with people. the pilot blew two
whistles as if TO land, but with no intention
OF landing. This was a ruse to get away
from the ferryboat. When the latter saw
the Granite State was steaming by four
whistles were sounded by the ferry boat TO
get the Granite State 10 land. No attention
palO 10 II, anu lnen the urlny
began. The Granite State refused 10 take the
prisoners until written order was issued
commanding them to do so. Brose Dennis,
who, with Mr.. Williamson, occupied the
pilothouse, the latter being on watch, says
Two soldiers were placed in the pilothouse
TO keep the pilots at their posts. He says
that shots were fired at the Granite State both
from the wharfboat and from the men on
the bank. Many of these were aimed at the
pilothouse. A number OF other bullet marks
appear on other parts of the boat. OF the
8ting from the bank and whaIfboat, Den
mis- is certain of both. He and Clerk Phister
say it would have been easy for the ferry
boat TO have overtaken them and had a re-
newal of the battle if the troops had not
acted with promptness in returning the
ire. They speak in high commendation of
the action of the officers, and say there was
no disposition shown 10 be bloodthirsty or
malicious.