Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-01-18
BREAD RIOTS.
Two Thousand WOrkinSmen
Demolished Stores.
MADE RECKLESS BY HUNGER
Police Force of Sixty Men was
Powerless to Suppress the OUT
break The Common People
Starving Marines Saved
the CITY.

A despatch from st. Johns, N. F., says
This city was for two hours In possession OF
a mob. which looted several stores and ter
rorized citizens. The situation is both alarm
ing and deplorable. The colony is beiHg torn
by enemies without and by enemies within,
and the crisis has been precipita:ed by the
Goodhdge-Morine government Incendiary
appeals were ma ie during the afternoon 10y
reckless leaders to great gathering OF the
unemployed workingmen, and these men
made desperate by want and their wives and
children famished by hunger, at once took
the law into their own hands and started q
bread riot
The mob marched 10 Water street, looted
number OF stores and carried away the pro-
visions. The police were unable to cope with
the frenz;ed rabbe, and large force OF
armed sailor, and marines was landed from
the British warship Tourmallne TO assist in
putting down the Violent demonstrationswhich
was accomplished. Further disturbance and
depredations are feared at any hour. One
entire absence Of drunkenness. 1t is pro-
v; rb that NewfoundlanJers can always get
money to buy drink when unable to procure
{, Cd, but it is phenomenal that nearly all OF
the working class have been sob-r.
T. oubles we're brewing at an early hour.
when at an assemble e Of the unemployed it
was agreed 10 wait upon the commander Of
the Tourmaline. who had promised to use bis
influence with the authorities in securing re-
lief for the thousands of destitute. He re-
ported TO them that his efforts were fruitess
and he suggested that thoy walton the Gov
nor. The men were wild at the announce
ment and violence seemed imminent. They
reormel their ranks, q detected, half-starved
appearing crowd OF close on to 1000, marched
to the Goverement house and waited in the
SQUIRE outside while depu'ai WAS re-
celved 10y the Governor There was contin-
nous hoTling and II wild, rlotous scene out
side the house while the committee was In
conference with his Excelency, and when
they returned to their comrades In hunger
they reported that the Governor announced
that the Government was considering meas
ures of relief and that he advised them to call
upon the city authorities for food to meet
their immediate want pending action by the
G )vernment. This WAS but llreLraad for
the crowd, which was soon transformed into
q bowling, violent mob.
With a rush the mob, now swollen to over
200 men, made for the C ty building where
the officials of the city government denied
tIem admission. Fired on by wild speeches
of their leaders, they dashed upon the officers,
broke down the doors an1 crowded into the
corridors, forcing the police guard OF dozen
men to seek safety in flight, and the building
was at the mercy OF the mob. The few AS
snmbIymen beat hastY retreat, for 1t was
evident their lives were In danger in the face
Of such a reckless mob. A summons was
sont for further police assistance. and soon
fl ty men appeared with clubs and drawn
revo,gers and drove the intru iers out OF the
o,Iridors. Then the doors OF the
assembly Building were barricaded. The
mob speedily dispersed as report was
spread thar the armed marines were being
landed and that there would be bloodshed
unless everybody repaired 10 their homes.