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

THE ORANGE RIOTS AT TORTADOWN.  The following is one account of the riots at Portadown 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 the riot is supposed to have originated in a few unarmed policemen having extinguished a bonfire that bad 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 quarters, 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 bail on them. On reaching the bridge the police turned and fired again, this time with fatal effect, a boy, in the employment 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 'peen lit opposite the church, and is surrounded by large crowds. No attempt, is being made to put it out."  A statue of the Marquis of Westminster was 11a-covered at Chesterson Thursday in the presence of a large number of tenants and friends. It stpnds in Grosvenor Park, which was recently presented to the town by his lordship.  At a meeting held on Thursday at Huddersfield, an pFsocintion was formed for the purpose of co-operation with the Licensing Amendment League, of Manchester, in carrying out its object, viz., to advocate an amendment of the existing licensing system.  Mary Langford, now in lirprondham Bridewell, waiting her trial on a charge of poisoning her husland and child with strychnine, at Lynn, has, it is stated, made several attempts to take her own life. There is a warder constantly in attendance to prevent her committing suicide. the is not considered to be insane.  The Shedden Legitimacy case was on Friday, for the twenty-second time, before the louse of Lords. Mr. Shedden, the father of Miss Shedden, stated that ho was in his 76th year. He, like his daughter, seemed to widi to go into irrelevant matters, but was stopped by the Lord Chancellor, and ordered to keep to evidence.  A contemporary announces -SOMe valuable alterations in the knapsack and accoutrements of the army. A. waterproof valise, without frame and of light weight, ;s 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 whieu 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 side 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 remora.: or readjustment. The soldier can put it en and off like his coat, by simply unfastening the waist-belt, or it will remain like a garment on his shoulders, although left open in front. The great-coat is carried above the valise, and in no way interferes with the general arrangement. 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.