Mexico weekly ledger., 1884-04-03
POOR OLD OHIO.
Mob Violence in Cincinnati,
HUNDREDS KILLED AND THOUS.
ANDS WOUNDED.

ANUS HOUHDEDs
Arson and Pillage Run Riot
for More Than Two Days.
There was great excitement in
On Friday and Saturday
ast, over the verdict of the jury in
the case Of William Berner, indicted
for the murder of William Kirk, fer
in connection with a negro
named Joseph Palmer, between whom
it was agreed that the one that struck
the first blow should receive $50
more than the other in the division of
what should be obtained. Berner
made full confession of the deed, and
was, nevertheless, consigned to the
penitentiary for manslaughter.
On last Friday. William BeEner was
taken before Judge Matthews and
quietly sentenced to 20 years in the
penitentiary, for the murder of VIII
liam Kirk, and almost Immediately
thereafter ten thousand persons gath
cred at the Music hall in response to
call for o meeting respectfully
signed. Strong resolutions were
passed, and on adjourning the crowd
moved ON the Jail and commenced
iii attack upon it. At 8 40 p. m.
the riot alarm was sounded and the
entire police summoned, but in the
meantime Berner had been removed.
On their way to the Jail the mob Sc
cured long heavy scantllng and used
it afterwards as a hattering ram. A
hole was soon knocked in the North
outside door through which the
mob crowded thick and fast, but they
were met on the stairs by the sheriff
and police and forced back. Soon
after another entrance was made
through a second story window. This
encouraged the crowd, who cried
give us Berner; give us johnson and
so on through the whole list of muir.
derers confined there. Finally 8
tall muscular negro began to give or.
ders which the mob quietly executed
The battering ram was soon brought
to bear upon the iron door behind
which the sheriff and his men sloot
with drown revolvers. The sheriff
calmly told them that he would shoo
any one that should enter. Th,
crowd hesitated but the negro cried
''swing that plank The gate soor
gave way. The sheriff attempted tt
argue with the mob but they flew
past him and soon discovered tha
Berner had departed. In the mean
time, Chief Reilly at the head of thu
police entered the Jail through th'
Court house tunnel, and that build
ing was soon again in possession o.
the sheriff. The negro leader wa!
arrested and the mob seemed re-
pulsed, but in reality they were only
the more incensed at what had takel
place, and soon after all the en-
frances to the Jail were broken down
In the meantime, about 40 men O
the First regiment of militia arrived
and soon after firing began. Th'
volley cleared the Jail but for Ions
time thereafter effort was made tt
destroy the building with coal oil ant
wood. The militia fired from th'
windows, one at time, doing dread
full work. Later the crowd dis
persed.
Two deputies took Berner intend
ing to reach Columbus with him bu
at Loveland howling mob Of 3O'
made dash for the cars. Berne
escaped but was recaptured ant
placed in prison at Columbus.
On Saturday at Cincinnati, all da,
there was tremendous excitemen
over the events of Friday night
The authorities asked Gov. Hoadl
to order out couple regiments o
militia, and the request was complies
with. Toward night the crowo il
the street increased and the sherit
began to prepare for business. Bar
ricades were erected and guards sta
toned. The troops from Columbus
we're not yet on the spot, and Col
Hunt had mustered as many of hi
First regiment as could be found
At 10 O'Clock the fire bells sounded
The mob had broken into the treas
urer's Office and set fire to the coul
house. A demand was then made o
the sheriff for those he had take
prisoners on Friday night and re
fused. The crowd then began
fire on the Jail. On entering til
treasprer's Office to put out the fiji
Capt. Desmond was fired on and il
stantly killed. The militia returne
the fire but did no harm. The fur
of the mob increased and the firin
continued. Soon after the cupalo {
the court house fell in. 1t was nes
midnight when the troops arrived an
forced their way into the Jail. Wit
the arrival of the troops the frenzy {
the mob subsidized and comparatiy
quiet has since been maintained
Only partial list of the killed an
wounded can be obtained. Over 8
are known to be dead and as many (
so wounded.
| The sad occurrence detailed aboy
lconyeys additional WARNING of the n,