Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-04-04
c1un DRAGGED him through the gate. Tn

ed, and that without bloodsned. This
increased the excitement among the crowd
outside, and with implements of all kinds,
procured from neighboring factories, they
assaulted the building at all points that
seemed vulnerable. D ,ors, windows,
ratings and cellar holes we're attacked.
The heavy and continuous blows warned
those on guard that their work was not
over. The kitchen and the CHAPEL were
broken into, and soon the maddened mob
were pressing against all the grated doors
leading into the lower corridor. Stimuli
taneously attacks were made on all the
doors. At the southern and northern
gates men worked away with sedge- ham,
mers, axes and buggy axles. In the front
plank was used as a battering-ram. The
officers and deputies inside could do moth
ing but stand and walt, unless they wished
to fire into the crowd. Thus matters
stood for about an hour. The lock was
broken from the southern gate, and it was
thrown wide open. A rush was made. but
the police and equities beat the mob back
with their guns. Lack of leadership and
consequent indecisiOn, with the prompt
| action of the guard, alone prevented them
| from again gaining possession of the Jail
| Being threatened on their rear, the niGH
guarding the front gate fought like tigers.
| the effective battering-ram in the hands
vi OH0 LuOD was pldyluS Sdu udfoC Will
| the door. With each bloW it became more
and more evident that the gate must give
| way Suddenly the lights went out, and
everything was in total darkness. The
mob soon had coal-oil lamp to work by
FOR GODS SAKE, DON'T SHOOT"
At this time the military were coming
through the tunnel leading FROM the
courthouse to the jail. Sheriff Hawkins
had sent an order to Colonel Hunt, COM
handing the First Regiment, requesting
| him to send all men possible. For the past
| five days Colonel Hunt has had two COM
/ panies on duty at the armory watching
their ammunition. 1t was drill night also.
and about forty soldiers were present.
| They were Immediately sent to the Jail.
Colonel Hunt in command, and entered
| through the tunnel. Here occurred the
first blnodshed. The further end of the
tunnel was guarded by policemen Mum
and Won Seggern. AS the soldiers ap-
proachtd by threes, with guns pointed.
Won Seggern threw up his hands and
shouted: ''For Gods sake, don't shoot;
you III kill your frlends.' Without needing
the warning the command to free was
given, and a volley went rafting through
the tunnel. Mum fell, pierced by four balls
Won Seggern was shot in the side of the
head, and several of the militia were shot
| by their own guns.
This volley had the effect of clearing
the Jail, but for two hours thereafter eff
forts were made on the outside to destroy
| the building. A barrel of coal oil was
poured down Into the lower part of the
ill and set on fire, but the officers within
managed to eXtinouish the flames. The
Keepers office furnished some wood, and
that was also fired; but, as the jail is
mainly stone aud iron, this effort was fu-
It.J l. rtx
pistols promiscuously at the windows,
and the militia fired from the windows at
the crowd. Sheriff Hawkins tried TO con-
troll this firing by ordering that no more
than one man should fire at time, and
then only to brighten, not to kill, but the
men we're uncomfortable, and fred at the
crowd, doing deadly work. With Saturday
morning came comparative calm
On Saturday circulars were distributed
calling for the organization of vigilance
committees, to consist of 800 memb RS in
each ward. 1t was anonymous, and read
as follows:
Public safety demands immediate action! Or
ganize in every ward! Hea sores by purifying the
| body! Serve notice TO criminals criminal lawyers,
gamblers and prostitutes to leave Hamilton coun-
suffer the penalty So long as the present clique of
criminal lawyers that nfeSt the city permitted
to remain and corrupt juries, outrage Justice and
shield criminals just that long will our citizens be
| murdered. our property destroyed and protection
| b, the law be denied Make one ctean sweep while
| we are at it. vigilance committee of 300 In each
| ward, composed of the best citizens, can by earn
| est work cleanse the moral atmosphere in three
days Organize at once, Ind notice to all dis
reputable characters in the Wa to leave and never
| return. The reputation of the CRY demands a
| change, or WickednesS will reign supreme,
THE SECOND SATURDAY, NIGHTS RIOT
THE COURT HOUSE BURNED.
| CINCINNATI, OHIO. March 30.-The
scenes of last night have had no parallel
in Cincinnati. Briefly grouped they are
the burnii G of the magnificent court
house, with all its invaluable records and
splendid law library; the killing of rs to
100 men, women and children, for many
children We're included in the death list :;
the wounding of perhaps $50 persons, the
robbery of gun store, aud the arrival of
two regiments of militia. The sheriff,
who is practically in command, has unfor-
tunately left the rear of his position
entirely unprotected. The arrival of the
| military by train was delayed till nearly
eleven O'Clock. and that ia al blunder and
| the unfortunate delay has cost the county
| the loss of its courthouse and undoubtedly
was the cause of the greater part of the
| bloodshed.
At 10 O'Clock last night the first genuine
| appearance of renewed trouble was indi-
| began to force down on the platoons of
police at Court and Main streets. They
| were repelled by volley of blank cartrid
| ges, which we're discharged from the pa
| trolmen's navy SKIES. Some of the more
timid took fight, but the great number
only wavered and in a few moments
pressed forward again, when second vol
ley was discharged. Confusion reigned
| supreme A few scattering militiamen
appeared in the throng intent upon join
ing their comrades IN the courthouse
rotunda, when cries of Kill them!' Kill
them!" came up FROM the mob. followed
by volley of stones and other missiles,
which were hurled at them as they passed
in.
THE ATTACK ON THE COURTHOUSE.
No attempt thus far had heen made to
keep the crowd out of Main street, the
purpose only being to keep them from
passing east on Court street, as 1t was not
suspected that any attack was contem-
plated on the courthouse. Suddenly a
crashing of glass Was heard in the vicinity
of the treasurer'S flee. to the left of the
main entrance to the courthouse on Main
street, and moment later flames began
to roll out through the br oxen doors and
windows, lighting up the streets around.
When the immense thrOng witnessed this
new scene cheer after cheer went up from
the multitude. An attempt to call out the
fire department to stay the work of the
flames proved futile. The department re-
fused to respond until they should receive
an escort of troops. The scene now was a
Thrilling one-the entrance to South
Court street and North Court street at
Main were guarded by platoons of police
In front of them was the bowling meb
cheering the flames a. they leaprd higher
and higher From the canal bridge on
the north to Eighth street on the south,
Main street was one dense mass of human
beings while facing the courthouse lead
ing west Court sGleet for two squares dis
tant as far as Vine was filled with people
viewing the awfal destruction.