The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-01-09
DRIVEN BY HUNGER.
A Mob Paraded the Streets Of st.
Johns.
FORCED IT'S WAY INTO THE LEG.
ISLATIyE BUILDING.

perate struggle-Attempt to Sack
Stores-The Situation is Desperate and
the Government Has Promised Relief
Within Three Days.
st. Johns. Me-, January s.-Disorder
prevailed here all day, and it is nothing
short OF miracle that serious blood
shed was averted. The unemployed as
sembled early this morning and marched
to the man-of-war Tourmaline. whose
captain yesterday promised them he
would use his influence with the author
tiles in obtaining relief from the dssti-
tuition now prevailing. His ministra-
tions were fruitless, and when the
crowd of unfortunates appeared he re-
ferred them to the governor. disap-
pointed and exasperated with hunger,
the men marched to the government
house, where deputation waited upon
the governor. Theslatter in formed them
the government was considering meas
ures of relief, and advised them. pend
ing action on the bills, to call upon the
city representatives for their immediate
wants. The mob went to the legisla-
tive building and was refused admis-
sion. Enraged at this, it burst open the
doors and surged into the corridors The
police on guard attempted to drive
them out, but were overwhelmed by the
infuriateG mob and forced to retire,
leaving the building at the mercy of
the invaders, The assembly not being in
session, but few mem bers were in the
building, and those who were, lost no
time in fleeing from the place. The po-
lice reserves were summoned, and after
a strong and desperate struggle man
aged to eject the intruders. In the af-
ternoon the crowd reassem bled and re-
turned to the government house. where
treatment during the morning, and re-
iterated demand for relief. The gov
ernor repeated the advice of the fore
noon, and said he was powerlessto act
without the cooperation of the minis
try. The crowd once more made it's
way to the Legislative building. The
hour for the convening of the session
was near at hand and those inside, on
being informed of the approach of the
mob. began preparations to prevent it's
entry. The doors were barricaded, and
the whole available police force sta
toned around the building. The crowd
swelled in dimensions momentariiy, and
soon the whole of the grounds In front
of the structure was n solid mass of
humanity, in the midst of which float
ed a large flag, bearing conspicuously
the words Work or Bread" while ejac-
ulations of similar import.were made by
the crowd By this time the mob, see
ing no attention was being paid its de-
mands by those inside the building.
made rush for the doors. The police
were pow erless to check the crowd, and
many officers were injured. One
geant was thrown over the steps leading
to the main doors and seriously hurt.
l,oI l.. ,nha vr-s%
stone. Finally Premier Green appeared
on the balcony, and in a speech ex-
pressed regret at the condition of the
colony and the destitution prevailing
among the people. He promised employ
ment would be given within three days.
and begged the crowd to have patience
and confidence in the government. He
promised to resign if work was not pro-
vided within the time specified. This
did not satisfy the members of the
crowd, who told him plainly they would
break into the stores and get food. THIS
threat the mob Immediately put into
effect. Marching into the city the riot
ers made an attack upon the premises
occupied by Edwin Dudar, who was re-
Gently compelled to assign. The crowd
found the place empty and met with
similar results in other stores. John
ston's store received the mob's atten-
tion, and in this establishment large
QuanIlGy OIL PROVISIONS WeIo Iounu. Jusb
as they were being carried out a large
force of police appeared on the scene and
drove the mob away after severe strug-
gle, during which the police were forced
to draw their swords in self defence. A
body of mounted police arrived shortly
atterward, and the com bined forces
m anaged to keep the crowd at bay until
darkness came, when the rioters dis
persed. Four of the leaders were ar
rested. The streets tonight are crowded
with people. A guard from the warship
Tourmaline is doing patrol duty in
front of the principal buildings, as it is
feared other raids may be attempseA
during the night.