The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-10-14
RIOT IN MONTREAL
French Canadians Resisting COnl-

French Canadians Resisting Com.
pnlsOry Vaccination.
The smallpox epidemic that has been rag
ing i'll Montreal with great virulcnce for some
time has resulted in a riot, caused by the op.
position of tho French Canadians to compul-
sorry vaccination. Particulars of the trouble
are given in the following dispatch from
Montreal:
Montreal was the scene of violent riot
this evening" as the result Of the movement
for compulsory vaccination. The French
Canadians have shown strong opposition to
compulsory vaccination since the start, and
trouble has been feared. The English were
determined, however, that no more delay
would be allowed, and decided ut once to
carry compulsory measures into force.
4 branch ollice was started in tho east end
and orders were given to-day to begin the
thorough vaccination Of all persons i'll the
French Canadian quarter At an early hour
this morning the Office was opened. \ crowd
at once began to assemble and the building
was soon surrounded. Several French Cana
dian citizens addressed the gathering, which
was becoming more and moro ro.ous, and
advised pacific measures. \ squad Of police
was called out, and toward the afternoon the
mob dispersed, threatening, however, to re.
turn in the evening. They kept their word.
At o'clock tonight the building was sur
rounded by a noisy, threatening crowd of
Freuch Canadians, who began operations by
storminS tho health office, smashing all the
windows and creating u general havoc.
DR.. Laberge, of the medical health
office, stoned it and shouted defiance.
On marched the mob. gathering i'll
numbers rs it went, its objective point being
the city hall The authorities had by this
time got wind OF the mob's intentions, and
the fire bells sounded n general alarm, calling
the whole police force from tho various
stations to the central station at the city
hal. The mob arrived, however, before the
police had mustered, and took possession OF
the streets around the hall. Showers of
stones were rained upon the building and
many windows were shattered.
In the midst of the din cry was raised, "To
tue newspaper office" and in few minutes
the crowd, now numbering several thousand,
had formed into line and were on the way.
Tho mob marched down the principal streets,
singing and shouting, and made for the Office
of the Morning Hcratd, largo nve-story
building, OH Victoria square. Their number
was considerably increased on the way, and
surrounded the newspaper Office. several
thousand strong. The building, which occu-
lighted up. and formed good mark for the
rioters. The windows were soon smashed,
and the rioters took full vengeance upon tho
paper, which has been the most active and
plain spoken about the French Canadians.
For over half an hour the mob had it all
their own way, the police remaining inac-
tive IN the station while the work OF destruc
ton was going on. While engaged at tho
newspaper Office, the rioters gave expression
to various threats, and slid that they
would show the English whether it was
they or the French who would rule the
city. The English were roundIy abused, nnd
n number OF violent scenes occurred. When
the police did arrive OH the scene, the mob
again formed and marched ha"k through the
streets to tho east end, wlert they held q
mass meeting, and, after several inilamma-
tory speeches. proceeded to the homes Of sew
cral Of the doctors and stoned them. The
crowd was dispersed after II number Of po-
licelnen had been bratcn. The military was
called out next day, and quiet WAS restored