Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN The STAR

Half century ago Washington was in a
great turmoil. The most serious riot In It's
history had just occurred,
Election and the community was
deeply agitated. The trou-
"ioI' BILE occurred on election day,
| June 1. 1851. Fer weeks the capital had
been actively canvassed in the interests Of
two rival parties the Union" and the
American the latter being popularity
known as the know nothings." Election
morning found the citizens greatly excited
over rumors that hired thugs had come
over from baltimore to interfere with the
free exercise of the ballot by union par
tisans. This apprehension later proved to
be we'll founded. and the day was marked
by tragic happenings. The columns of The
Star of that and subsequent dates contain
vivid evidences of the high state of tension
10 winch the local nerves were wrought.
In The Star of June l the events Of the
day are thus set forth:
We had hoped that this days municipal
contest would pass over quietly. and such.
we believe. would have been the case had
Washingtonians alone participated in it,
put they nave not been permitted to man
age their own affairs
I IA gang of hired ruffians and DULLES,
Plug uglies and other unhung worthless
from Baltimore have been imported by the
know nothings to take violent possession
OF the polls. and armed with revolvers, bill
zens from depositing their votes.
In the first precinct of the fourth ward
this morning a general fight occurred, in
which several hundred men
General and boys were engaged, in
Fight. tbst 1910 ~, =, &C.,. seems p,,,s
Uglies from Baltimore. after floating
a md
thing of note. pitched upon this precinct
as the most eligible scene for their opera
tons A long line of voters were standing
In the street. The Plugs, assisted by sew
eral large squads Of Chunkers and Rip
Rans of our own citl endeavored to break
into TINS line by crowding. but not succeed
ing they left to concert more hostile meas
ures. After short time they returned,
largely reinforced in numbers, and with re-
Volvers. stones, billies. bfickbats, etc. they
mace concerted onslaught upon the vot-
ers. terrible scene now ensued. in which
the entire crowd participated Stones and
pistols were rapidly discharged, and men
were trampled to the earth. beaten.
stamped upon and severely wounded
After reciting some of the injuries in
hicted In the course of this fight and the
oVerpowering of the police who attempted
to restore order, The Star continues:
such an exhibition of murderous instru-
ments as the party carried was sufficient
to cause the peacably disposed to keep as
far from them as possible. One man was
armed with large blacksmith's sledpe an
other with horse pistol of huge dimen-
sions; third carried miscellaneous as
sortment of revoivers Bowie knives billies
and an iron bar. while a fourth carried. be-
sides side pocket filled with convenient
stones, large billet of oak of sufficient
weight to fell an OK
Mayor Magruder. realizing that the riot
had hAr,D L..
the President for aid. and on
Federal orders from the White House
two companies Of marines
were soon on their way to the
scene. Meanwhile the rowdies made a
demonstration in the second ward, firing a
number Of shots at the corner of 18th street
and PENNSYLVANIA avenue. When some of
the citizens appeared emerging from their
residences armed with muskets as if they
had some notion Of going upon a cunning
expedition" the mob melted away. But
the worst was yet to come. The Stars re-
port continues:
Shortly after 1 pm. the marines-two
companies ITO men in all-arrived on the
ground. first precinct of the fourth ward
Corner of 7th and K streets northwest),
under charge Of Capt Tyler. and accom-
panied by Mayor Magruder. The opposition
had. in the meantime. procured a brass
cannon and stationed it at the Northern
market house. which they made their head
quarters.
1t may be noted that later the charge OF
this gun was drawn and was found to be
composed of eight pavement stones. a large
number of rife balls buckshot. swan shot,
etc. weighing altogether between ten and
twelve pounds
After the mayor had addressed the
crowd" The Star goes on, Stating that the
| soldiers were brought there solely to main
tain the peace. the marines moved upon the
market house to take possession of the
cannon amidst every species of taunt and
approba ton, ending finally in the possessors
of the cannon firing pistols at the marines.
The latter, however, moved steadily on,
seized the cannon. and then, due warning
having been given replied to the pistol
shots by velley of ball The Plug Uglies
scattered. firing as they did 80 from behind
corners After the smoke had cleared away
| the terrible sight was presented of four or
five persons in the agony of death and sew
eral others fearfully wounded"
X
The riot was quelled by that one volley.
1t was many days. however. before the city
resumed its normal quiet.
Act If and much bitter feeling was
p, engendered by the tragedy
"'y' of June l.
In later issue Of The Star is a moro
detailed account of the firing at 7th and X
streets from which the following parapranh
is taken:
Capt Tyler, on receiving this threaten
ing message Chat the mob would fire the
| cannon. II the marines were not at once
withdrawn) gave the order to move to-
wards the gun. and when the right of the
line was nearly opposite 1t Gen. Henderson
Ia well-known officer of the regular forces,
not directly connected with the detach-
| ment on the ground deliberately went up
! to the piece and placed his body against
the muzzle. thereby preventing 1t from
| being aimed at the marines, just at the mo-
ment when 1t was about to be discharged
The general was dressed in cittzens' dress