The Sun. — 1869-07-03 (London, England)

THE ORA A-GE RIOTS AT PORTADOWN.  The following is one account of the riots at Pcrtadown on Friday night —" A most serious and disastrous riot has occurred at Portadown. The cause of the affray has not as yet been accurately ascertained, but tha riot is supposed to have originated in a few unarmed policemen having extinguished a bonfire that had been lighted by some children at Quarrys Turns. This proceeding appears to have exasperated the Orangemen, who suddenly mustered in strong force, and commenced an organised attack on the police, who in the meanwhile had been reinforced by a few of their comrades, also unarmed. Stones were thrown in volleys by the rioters, and the police soon turned and fled, hotly pursued by their assailants. The police, on reaching their (latters, obtained their rifles, armed with which, eight of them paraded that part of Bridge-street situated in Edenberry. They were again attacked and pelted with stones by an immense crowd of between two and three thousand people. At first the police contented themselves with firing in the air, upon which a cry was raised to the effect that they dared not fire, and that they had only blank cartridges. Emboldened by this, the mob then renewed their attacks on the constabulary, and pursued the men as far as the bridge, stones rattling like hail on them. On reaching the bridge the police turned and fired again, this time with fatal effect, a boy, in the employ. ment of the Ulster Railway Company, named Thomas Watson, a Protestant, being shot through the lungs and killed, and a man named Tiffney, a Roman Catholic, dangerously wounded by a shot in the shoulder. The poliCe are all more or less injured by stones, and one of their body is seriously hurt. The disturbance was quite unexpected ; but the Orangemen are so exasperated that it is feared that further riots will follow."  A later despatch from Portadown says :—"A bonfire has teen lit opposite the church, and is surmunded by large crowds. No attempt is being made to put it out,"  A statue of the Marquis of Westminster was uncovered at Chester on Thursday in the presence of a large  number of tenants and friends. It Etnds in Grosvenor  Park, which was recently presented to the town by his lord At a meeting held on Thursday at Huddersfield, an association was formed for the purpose of co-operation with  the Litcnsing Amendment League, of Manchester, in carrying out its cbject, viz., to advccate an amendment of the  exi.qing licensing system.  Mary Langford, now in Wymondbarn Bridewell, waiting her trial on a charge of roiscning her hustnnd and child with•strychr:ine, at Lynn, has, it is stated, made sere ral attempts to take her own life. There is a warder con stantly in attendance to prevent her committing suicide. no is not considered to bo insane.  The Shedden Legitimacy case was on Friday, for the twenty-second time, before the Douse of Lords. Mr.  Shcdden, the fathrT of Miss Shedden, stated that he was in  A contemporary announces some valuable alterations in the knapsack and accoutrements of the army. A waterproof valise, without frame and of light weight, ;..3 to supersede the present knapsack. 'This valise is supported on the lower portion of the soldier's back in the following manner :—From the waist-belt a short strap on each side passes to a ring, from which a broad strap, passing over the shoulders, crosses with its fellow on the upper part of the back, like an ordinary pair of braces, ' snd, catching the corner of the valise by a buckle, runs , under the arm to the opposite ring from which it started. Another short strap passing posteriorly from the ring to the lower angle of the valise secures it to the man's body. In front, upon the waist-belt, is carried the pouch for ammunition, which can be shifted to one sid, so as to allow the waist-belt to be opened. This equipment is very easy, and leaves the chest perfectly free. It supplies many of the most essential requirements of military duties—simplicity and durability, lessened risk of damage, and facility for remove-i or readjustment. 'lime soldier can put it on and oft like his coat, by simply unfastening the waist-belt, or it will remain like a garment -an his shoulders, although left open in front. The great-coat is carried above the valise, and in no way interferes with the general airangement. It is also determined to issue to each man a separate canvas bag fcr surplus articles of clothing and necessaries, in lieu of the present "squad-bag," which is available for twenty-five men. This, it is anticipated, will encourage the soldier in habits of care and neatness.