The Washington times., 1901-12-08
MARKS PLACE
OF BLOODY RIOT
New Carnegie Library on Liberties
Market Site.
ELECTION BATTLE RECALLED
Many Killed and Wounded in Con-
GIet between Mob and Marines i'm
1S5S-Thc Causes Tint Led 10 the

ing donated by Andrew Carnegie is being
erected was formerly 'the site Of the
Northern Liberty Market House, but such
is the case. Some of the older inhabit-
ants of this city will doubtless recall
the pitched battle which took place on
that spot between the mob and the ma
rines on the occasion Of the election of
W. b. Magruder as mayor of the city Of
Washington. in June, 1856
The principal cause of this unusual ex
citement preceding this election and Of
the riot while the contest was in prog
ress, arose from the heated discussion of
the question qS to whether naturalized
citizens should -ercised the right OF suf-
frage. The know Nothing party ex-
pressed itself openly as opposed to such
exercise of franchise.
Trouble Wns Expected.
Trouble was anticipated for some days
prior TO the election, and everything that
could be done was done TO prevent any
outbreak and to calm the excitement.
Although the newspapers took an active
part in this work, none of them were
informed that arrangements had been
made 10 introduce bands OF Intrusive
strangers" from other localities to inter-
fere with the elections in this city. BY
the earliest train. however, and on
subsequent trains bands of ILL
looking men. mostly year or two under
age. with the expressive generic title of
plug Uglies" arrived from Baltimore,
crowding the sidewalks, giving every in
dication Of being able and willing to car
ry out any instructions they might have
received, or might receive, from head
quarters.
A Citizen Attacked.
About $3.50 a. m. at the First precinct
of the Fourth ward, sudden attack was
made upon a naturalized citizen in the
ranks of the voters, and an effort was
made to drive all such voters from the
polls. In this onslaught, and in the de-
fence which 1t rendered necessary, sew
eral citizens. native as well as natural
lied. were wounded.
Richard Owens. Commissioner OF the
ward was badly shot IN the arm and
wounded in the head; F. A. Klopfer was
struck in the forehead by a slung-
shot: George D. Spencer was seriously
bruised by a stone: Justice Goddard was
struck in several places with bricks; Jus
tice Dom was similarly wounded with
stones; Officer X. Degges. Policeman
Birckhead and Chief of Police Baggott
were all more or less severely wounded
and driven from the field. The result
was that naturalized citizens became bad
ly demoralized, and, in general. retired
from the scene.
Marines Called Out.
At about 1890 o'clock a. m. the i'm
ported men appeared at the lower pre-
cinct Of the Second ward. where they
fred about dozen pistol shots, one of
which took effect in the forehead Of by
stander Representations being about this
time made to the mayor that it was i'm
possible to keep the polls open at the
First precinct Of the Fourth ward, appli-
cation was made to the President of the
United States for the services OF the
company of marines then in the city. TO
maintain the peace. This request Of
Mayor Magruder was referred to the Sec
rotary CT the Navy. who promptly or
dered out 10 marines. under the COM
mand of Major Tyler and Captain Mad
dox. They we're placed at the disposal Of
the mayor.
In the meantime. a detachment OF the
mob had obtained in the vicinity Of the
Navy Yard. then a most unruiy quar-
ter. brass swivel gun This
popularity known as baby walker" was
dragged in triumph along Seventh street
and planted on the corner OF Massachu-
sets Avenue and Seventh Street, facing
Mount Vernon Square.
The marines were marched TO the scene
OF disturbance accompanied by General
Henderson in citizens clothes the mayor.
the corporation attorney. Marshal Hoover,
ex Marshal Wallach. Captain Baggott. and
ia 4
Ordered Polling Place Opened.
The mayor ordered the polling place 70
be opened, and was informed by the mob
that this should not take place. About
1500 persons were present. and these, the
mayor proceeded to address, but his
words. far from quieting the assembled
concourse and calming the disturbance.
served to infuriate the mob.
The mayor. seeing that his eXhOrtations
we're wasted. and realizing instead that
they could no longer be heard. gave the
order to capture the swivel gun. the muz-
zle Of which pointed directly toward him.
His knowledge that the weapon was load
ed with pieces OF iron and cobblestones,
added strongly to his embarrassment. As
the marines advanced with fixed bayo-
nets, under Major Tyler, who was attlred
in a military coat and a tail silk hat,
cha rlie" Hurdle. the most formidable
and lawless character in this city at the
time applied his lighted cigar to the pow
der on the touchhole OF the cannon.
The Powder Was Wet
But It had been raining few 1'nutes
previously, the powder was wet. aHl the
gun did not go of Had II done so CON
siderable loss OF life would nave ensued.
for, as before lntimated, IL was loaded TO
the muzzle
The mob then retreated, hurling volleys
of stones and firing upon tho marines
with revolvers. One Of the marines was
struck in the Jaw by a bullet. and the
order was given to fire upon the mob
Many persons were wounded several IA
tally. The crowd thereupon took flight
in all directions, and the marines were
marched back to the City Hall.
The Killed and wounded.
In this riot the following persons were
killed outright or died of their wounds:
Mr. Allison. aged hfty-fve years: F. NJ
Deems. clerk in the General Land Of
ice; Archibald Dalrymple. haggagemas-
ter on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
a colored man named Neale. from the 10
cality known as the Northern Liberties 20
another colored man from Georgetown,
named Redding, and an infant child.
Several persons were severely wounded
The worthy supporters of the beautiful
principle America for the Americans.
finding their patriotic services so little
appreciated, stole away with as slight
noise as possible to resume their various
avocRtions In order TO ensure the safety
of the citizens from further attack. which
had been threatened. a strong body OF