The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-04-28
RIOT AT DOVER.
BATTLE BETWEEN CIRCUS MEN AND CITI-
ZENs-TwELvE MEN WOUNDED.

A row of more than common dimen-
sions occurred at Dover, Del, on Satur-
day last, between young men of the town
and the employees Of o Brien's Circus,
that exhibited there that day, resulting
in the seriously wounding of several OF
the circus men by gun shots, and the
beating of several citizens.
An eyewitness says that the trouble
between the Dover boys and the circus
men commenced about 8 o'clock in the
morning, over some dsreputable women
that the circus men had taken to the out
skirts of the town. The Dover men sue
ceeded in capturing the women, and
brought them back to town, and then,
the trouble which terminated at mid
night in such disastrous results. COM
menced. About $50 i'll the morning
nineteen or twenty circus men, armed
with clubs and revolvers, ran through
the main streets, chasing citizens into
their houses and warning them not to
show their faces again on the street. AT
the same time Mike Riley and a man
named Pyle, who were watching the I'M
loading of the wagons, were knocked
down and badly beaten. This, of course.
only added fuel to the flame, and small
fights between the townsmen and the
brickbats being freely used.
A number Of citizens who attended
the afternoon slow were imposed upon
by the ticket agents, who absolutely re-
fused to give back change, when bill
or over amount was rendered them in
payment for tickets, and many We're
made to purchase reserve tickets against
their wishes, before they We're allowed
to enter the main tent.
A small row ensued outside the main
tent just before the evening performance
commenced, brought on by the circus
men saying that after the performance
they intended to clean the town out.
'Hhe riot commenced about l l 80 o clock.
after what the citizens termed miSera
BILE performance, was over. After every
thing belonging to the circus had been
packed up ready for removal, about forty
men, headed by Henderson, a part owner
in .he circus, marched down LOCKER
man street toward Bradford street, yell
ing "clear the streets you s. of B.
When they arrived at the corner of
Governors avenue and Bradford street,
they were met by large crowd of the
town men. Henderson gave the order to
Lay low all along the line and imme-
diately followed it up with the word
fire." firing his revolver as he did so.
The circus men leveled their revolvers
and fred into the ranks of the town men.
They were Immediately answered by
terrific volley of musketry by the Dover
boys, and Henderson fell back shot
through the eye and groin. Nolley after
volley was fired by the townmen and
were promptly answered by tie circus
men, who were finally compelled to take
refuge behind wagons, which had by this
time appeared upon the scene. The town
men seemed to emerge in squads fl ON
! every corner, armed and eager to join in
the affray. The circus men seeing they
could do nothing with the dense crowd.
fled for the railroad station, leaving sew
eral of their wagons behind.
Henderson and another circus man,
who were badly injured. were at one
taken to the office of DR.. Wilson, who
pronounced the formers injuries fatal
! About eight circus men in all were
wounded, and DR.. Wilson accompanied
them to Cambridge to attend to their in
juries. No townmen were shot, though
three were badly beaten by clubs.
Owing to threat made by the fleeing
circus men to come back and take the
town. the citizens formed a vigilance
committee, and asked the sheriff. if
necessary, to order out the militia to
protect the town.
| The threat was no, carried into execu-
ton, however, the circus men being so
cowed that they could not be persuaded
to 60 back after the wagons lie behind.
though Mr.. O'Brien offered a reward of
| $50 to any one who would do so. The
circus reached Cambridge on Sunday
| xuh To CIV
| day. Seven of the party who were in
jured in Saturday night riot, in Dover.
were with them. The wounds of three OF
the party are serious, though none, it is
thought, have been fatally injured. Two
were sent to the Baltimore Hospital,
suffering with gun shot wounds in the
eyes, and it is probable they will lose
their eyesight.
Later advices from Dover say that the
riot on Saturday night continues the
great topic there. The sympathy of the
better class of people is with the unfor-
tunate showmen. Every one with whom
| have talked has denounced the rioters
in the btterest of terms; all agreeing
! that they ought to be punished to the
! fullest extent of the law. The police
have over 80 names of those who partici-
pated and will hand them in at the pro-
per time.
No citizens in Dover had been fired
upon by any of the circus employees and
none hurt or any injury done exec pt that
committed by the young roughs of the
town, who instigated the riot and who
succeeded in shooting seven men, one.
Mr.. Henderson, probably fatally, and
two others very seriously. while one or
both eyes of three of the employees