Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-09
RIOTING AT ST. JOHNS.
Desperate Workmen Demand Work or
Bread of the Government.
Mob Losts Provision Stores and are DIS
persed by The Police.

st. Johns, n. F., Jan. S.-Disorder
prevailed here all day, and nothing snort
of miracle ayerted serious bloodshed
The unemployed assembled carly This
morning and marched to the man OF war
Tourmaline, whose captain, yesterday,
promised them that he would use his in
flueuce with the authorities in obtaining
relief from the destitution now prevail.
ing. His ministrations We're fruitless, and
when the crowd of unfortunatcs appeared,
he referred them TO the Governor.
Disappointed and exasperated With
hunger, the men marched to the Govern
ment house, where a deputatlon Walteo
upon the Governor. The latter informed
them that the government was consider
ing measures of relief, and advised them,
pending action on the bills, to call upon
the city representatives for immediate
wants.
The mob went to the legislative build
ings, but was refused admission. Enrage@
at this, it burst open the doors and surgec
into the corridors. The police on guard
attempted to drive Them cut, but were
overwhelmed by the Infatuated mob and
forced TO retire, leaving the building al
the mercy of the invaders. The Assembly
not being in session, but few member
were, in the building and those who vert
lost no time in fleeing from the place.
The police reserves were summoned, ano
after a desperate struggle, managed Il
eject the intruders.
In the afternoon the crowd reassembled
and returned to the government house,
where it complained to the Governor OF
the treatment during the morning, and
reiterated the demand for relief The Gov
ernor repeated his advice of the forenoon
and said that he was pOwerless to act with
out the cooperation of the ministry.
The crowd once more made its way to
the legislative building. The hour for The
converting of the session was near at hano
and those inside, on being informed of the
approach of the mob, began preparation
to prevent its entry. The doors were bar
ricaded and the whole available police
force stationed around the building.
The crowd swelled in dimensions
momentarily, and soon the whole of thu
grounds in front of the structure was
solid mass of humanity, in the midst of
which floatcd large flag, bearing con-
'spicuously the words, Work or Bread, ~
while calculations of similar import were
made by the crowd
BY this time the mob, seeing no atten
ton was being paid its demands by thos'
inside the building, made rush for tn.
doors. The police were powerless to check
the crowd and many officers were injured
One sergeant was thrown over the steps
leading to the main door and seriously
hurt, and another had his check cut opcr
with q stone.
Finally Premier Greene appeared on the
balcony, and in speech expressed regret
at the condition of the colony and the
restitution prevailing among the people
He promised that employment would be
given within three days, and begged the
crowd to have patience and confidence III
the government. He promised to resign il
work was not provided within the time
specified. This did not satisfy the mem
bers of the crowd, who told him plainly
that they would break into stores and get
food.
This threat the mob Immediately put
into effect. Marching into the city, the
rioters made an attack upon the premi-
ses occupied b. Edwin Dunbar, who was
recently compelled to assign. The Grove
found the place empty, and met with
similar results in other stores. JohnstOn's
store received the mob's attention. In
this establishment large quantity of
provisions was found
Just as they were being carried out a
large force of police appeared on the scent
and drove the mob away after severe
during which the police WERE
forced to draw their swords in self
defence. A body of mounted police ar
rived shortly afterward and the combined
forces managed to keep the crowd at bay
until darkness came when the rioters
Four leaders were arrested
The Streets tonight are crowded with
people. A guard from the warship Tour
maline is doing patrol duty in front OF
the principal buildings, as it is feared
other raids may be attempted during the
night