The morning times., 1895-07-22
Guards at the Arsenal Gate Be-
sieged By a Mob.
COLOR LINE SHARPLY DRAWN
4 Number of Drunken Colored Men
Were Refused Admission and They
Drew II Crowd of SympathiZers of
Their Own Race w hich, for n Time,
Threatened Trouble.

Spectators about the entrance gates to
the Arsenal grounds witnessed a small riot
shortly after 4 O'Clock last evening that
happily failed TO develop into grave proper,
tions and that died away with the setting
of the sun and the closing Of the iron
gates.
AS explained by Corporal B. j. Smith,
who was on guard at the gate at the time,
Immediately after the steamer George Leary
reached her wharf at O'Clock company of
coloradmcn, some of whom mwereintoXiCated,
came 10 the Arsenal entrance and started
to go in.
They were talking loudly and giving
copious eXhalations of profanity the guards
on duty said, and seeing their condition,
Sentry Lester refused them admission.
The company that numbered about half
dozen in the beginning multiplied itself
into large number in a twinkllng.
RUSHED BY THE SENTRY.
After parlying a short time with the
sentry the pioneers on the scene rushed by
him and ran TO Corporal Smith.
I'm making their rush for me- said the
corporal, THE drunken leaders pushed two
ladies off the walk into the gutter. That
was enough to convince me that they had
no business to be in the grounds and |
ordered them out and told the soldiers
to shut the gates and admit 10 more cUlored
people during the evening.
NOW l do nDt DOUBT but that there were
colorcd poop ,eSlng a'tmi;tance who
had every right to come in Our orders are
only 10 exclude drunken and dSorderly peo-
pie. But We Were unable to discriminate
between them, for those that were appar-
emily not drunk seemed TO Join in the
noise ana abuse with the others, ana when
we did let some OF them in they insisted
| on the whole crowd following, SO we wee
consequently compelled to shut ali out
/ After the gates had been closed upon the
crowd several Of the men are said To have
shown dipsosition TO don the war pig
ments.
"Lookee here. is yo' on yo'r metal?"
querled one OF the deDarred of his neighbOr
The latter gave his rear pockets a sig
niiicant CareSs, and replied:
No, sab; l amt got nay steel, but ef
had ia slash that cawporal's wind tube.
DARED THEM TO COME ON.
/ Others are said to have busted themselves
issuing invitations To Uncle Sans defend
ers 10 step outside, while one of the alleged
rioters is said to have repaired To neighbOr-
ing stone pile and began selecting a choice
assortment of brick-bats
The men finally decided that it was futile
TO remain longer, however, and gradually
dispersed without stone being thrown
or a bullet being fired
Corp. Smith reported to Lient j. C.
! Gilmore. the officer OF the day. the facts
! substantially as stated above Lieut. Gil
/ more VIII make report OF the matter TO
[ Col CIosSon, the commanding officer. a
! guard mount at 9 O'Clock this morning
( The matter VIII doubtless go 10 further.
Il think Corp. Smith was entirely justified
/ in doing as he did, said Lieut. Gilmore
. vrvsa.S
eXcursinnists that started the matter and
Others took a hand ID it until the guards
We're compelled to exclude all. or course
J there is no distinction made here between
! between white ard cOlOred people and the
excursion was only for the moment.
There We're plenty OF cOiored pao-
pie in the arsenal grounds all day yes
terday aud last evening at the
I time these people Were excluded
COMPLAIN TO THE TIMES
Later in the evening The Times received
I the Following letter, signed by two Of the
| persons present
Editor Times We beg leave for space
/ in your valuable paper, knowing that il will
! reach the greater mass Of the people to
/ give notice TO an incident that occurred at
the government reservation, known as
/ the arsenal grounds, :" on the eve of sun
/ day, July 21st, 90 without any warn
ing whatever. the respectable colored people
] of the District of Columbia, who usually
I frequent the arsenal grounds on said even
ing, Were deprived OF this privilege by an
/ insolent set of guards, who were on duty
/ atthattime; and when they Were approached
| in gentlemanly manner, asking why such
/ discrimination should be shown. they were
! driven from the gates and no satisfactory
reasons given why they should not be ad-
mitted to a public reservation
1t is a dastardly crime perpetrated upon
a mass of taX-paying and law abiding citi-
zens, and it should receive a thorough
! investigation.
The corporal of the guard who was on
duty went SO far as to go to the guard
/ house, procure a gun, and return with
/ it, testing the trigger,
We hope to receive the support of your
paper and efforts for an investigation of
this abominable crime to which they were
subjected
T II. WRIGHT,
j. NJ. SIMMS.