Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-04-05
Saturday night is taken from Sun
days News Journal:

last night had their expectations
more than realized. There was an
other attack on the Jail and also on
the courthouse made by several en-
ragged citizens, and before the hour
of midnight there was bloodshed.
The attacking party would listen to
no proposition save the surrender of
the murderes in jail and the release
OF those members of the party who
were arrested on Friday night while
in the attack on the
bastile. The people composing both
the attacking party and guards last
night were stern and unmovable in
their determination, and the
guards refusing to comply with the
demands of the avengers, war to
the death was declared by the at
lacking party. This was followed
by rumors of fearful and frightful
slaughter, and for time the utmost
confusion reigned in those portions
OF the city adjacent to the scene of
trouble. The torch was applied to
the courthouse, and the report went
out that the Calling gun in the
hands of the guards, had been let
loose on the people, who were being
Stayed by the score.
DEATH OF CAPT DESMOND.
Among the first reported killed
was Capt. j. ]. Desmond, of the O..
n. G. who was shot while leading
his men to escort the firemen to the
point where there services were
needed. The firemen were not per-
mitted to go to work, but they were
told to go back to their houses.
The rumOrS and reports which
flew throughout the city occasioned
the most painful agony, and the
night was one of the widest terror
to many household whose rela-
tives were known to be on duty in
and about the Jail. The excitement
among the people on the streets
spread to Sixth and Vine, and pla-
ces of business were speedily closed,
while piercing yells rent the air,
and men and boys rushed wildly to
and fro, hardly knowing what they
were doing. A pistol shot fired
near Sixth and Lodge alley increas-
ed the excitement, and for a time
the fire-bells were kept busy ring
ing at intervals, and the rattle of
musketry awakened the echoes
every few minutes. 1t was simply
awful.
DEAD AND DYING
The fire at the courthouse con-
tinued to burn for hours, and the
people accidentally set fire to Pow
ell's gun store, which they entered
for the purpose of procuring arms
and ammunition. Blood was also
shed there, a fatal collision being
had between the avengers and the
police. The fire at PoWell's was ex-
tinguished Dy the invaders them
after which they held possess
ion at will The continual firing of
musketry and repeated fusillades
from the Calling gun could not fail
to result in widespread death and
destruction. There were necessary
many mere spectators shot.
THE GATLING AT WORK.
AT IL p. m. a call was made at po-
lice headquarters for patrol wagon
to remove some of the numerous
dead and dying on Main street, be-
tween Eighth and Ninth. Patrol
No. 2 responded, but had not reach
ed Fifth and Main before twenty
shots were fired at them and yell
ing throng of thirty chased them
back to their house, firing as they
went.
The Calling gun belched forth lead
en- death, producing missils as fast
as it could be manipulated, and
men and boys fell before the leaden
moved by friends, but many tramp
to its former position.
The bodies of the dead and woun-
ded filled all the drug stores in the
and the residents
were horror-stricken as the cries of
the wounded, yells of the avengers
and rattle of the bullets mingled in
a horrid medley.
THE FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.
The Fourteenth regiment, COM
manded by Col G.. d. Freeman, ar
rived at 1920. and marched at once
to the scene of trouble. The regi-
ment formed a squad facing front,
when one of the files opened fire,
killing bystander on the sidewalk
and getting series of pistol shots
in return, Col. Fred Steube, in
charge OF the rear Calling gun, then
turned it upon the crowd, and two
or three persons were wounded.
VOLLEY AFTER vOLLEY.
The lurid glare from the blazing
threw weird light upon
the faces of the dying men convuls-
ed by the agony they were suffer
ing. Approaching nearer the burn
ing pile, the sounds of musketry be-
came even more ominous, and |
party made a sally
from the thrOng into the cleared |
place Immediately in front of the |
court house, - volley would be fired |
into them by the militia and four |
DR. five of the party would fall woun- |
led or killed. Nothing daunted, |
the ranks would close up and a rep |
atitiOn of the scenes enacted. |
those who were purely spec.
LatOrs several stampedes occurred,
all resulting from some cause entire
" different from what it was sup
posed to be. A man would slip
and fall, when some one would cry
and this being echoed by two or
.hree hundred voices would be
followed by ii surging of the crowd
IN all directions, the greater part of
hem not stopping until forced to
10 50 by fatigue. Having recovered
heir breath and II sufficient store of
courage, they would return, impell-
I'd by an OverpOwering curiosity
until again stampeded. Several of
he curious were severely wounded
Ind some killed outright.
AT THE COURTHOUSE.
Such a scene as that around the
and county Jail last
hight was perhaps never witnessed
before. 1t was one of carnage and
)loodshed almost unparalleled. A
urging mass of humanity boldly
aced the bayonets of the militia,
demanding as the price of the with
travail the surrender of the men
confined in Jail on the charge of
murder. Their demands were not
with, and terrible
laughter of human beings was the
eSult.
The Late Bishop KavanaUgh.
The following is related of the
ate RishoD Kavanauph. the senior