Year: 1867

Judge Kelley interrupted and shot at


Persons killed and wounded s-.Great


Excitementy.--No freedom of Speech


in Mobile!


The country has just been startled by
murGerous demonstration on Judge Kelley,
in Mobile, while addressing the people in
that City. 1t is apparent that this outrage
on Republican member of Congress, and
this attempt to prevent freedom of speech,
can be traced, and traced alone to the rebel
leaders of Mobile. The Judge. it seems, was
speaking temperately and frankly, replying
to the remarks of Mobile paper which had
spoken of him as the representative of fac
tion, when, as if by arrangement, the cry
was raised Of put him down." Hereplied,
declaring he was free man, and could not
be put down. The leader of the rebels then
gave the order to ".fre," which was done,
and that which followed is thus given by the
correspondent of the New York Tribune: 9


MOBILE, Ala, May 14-Midnight.-A
murderous and bloody affair occurred here
this evening. A desperate attack was made
upon Judge Kelly, and the body of gentle
men who surrounded him, on the steps of
the Old Court House, at the corner of Gov
ernment and Royal sts., during the meeting
held this evening.


The Judge had been speaking about a
quarter of an hour in frank and temperate
manner, when there appeared to be a dlspo-
sition to create disturbance on the ont.
skirts of the meeting Cries OF put him
down." were heard, to which Mr.. Kelly re-
plied 81 tell you that you cannot put me
down. The 18th Infantry are at my back,
and if they cannot keep the peacein Mobile,
the United States Army can"


The tumult suddenly broke out at this
point by sudden rush toward the platform
and general scattering of the crowd
About 100 people were on the platform, in
Guiding many eminent citizens. reporters of
the local press, and the correspondent of the
New York Herald. who sat beside Judge
Kelly, and the correspondent of the Phila-
delphia Inquirer. This rush seemed to be
the signal for the melee to commence The
Chief of Police attempted to arrest ring
leader on the borders of the crowd, and he
drew pistol on him. The cry of Fire ~
was then raised at the corner of Royal st.,
and instantly perfect fusilade of pistols
was opened on the crowd who occupied the
platform. In moment colored man who
stood beside your correspondent fell, being
struck in the head. Again the cry of "Oh,
God !" and heavy fall announced that an
other had been laid low. Some friends
dragged Judge Kelly from out OF the range
of fire, and finally succeeded in getting him
away unharmed.


For several minutes the fire continued to
be directed to the platform, the occupants of
which were hastily making their escape,
while Others endeavored to protect them
selves by getting behind the table, which af-
forded little protection, as those nearest the
platform were evidently firing under it
One man was badly wounded by a shot thus
aimed, and ball glanced off water bucket
which fortunately stood between your cor
respondents head and the assassin's benevo-
lent intentions


The firing by this time was directed right
and left among the crowd in the street, who
were flying in all directions. There seemed
to be no attempt on the part of the police to
arrest the violence, or if there was it was in
effectual, for the rebels had it all their own
way.


tits impossible to tell at this hour how
many were shot, saw three fall in my i'm
mediate vicinity; but occupied the place
of a target I saw one poor boy carried off
the ground moaning piteously.


1t was evidently preconcerted affair, and
was probably stimulated by incendiary ar
IN, fba Pol,al f,,r <ba foxry
days.


Col Shepperd who commands the militia
ry here, at once dispatched body of troops
to the Battle House, where Judge Kelly is
stopping. They are now on the ground in
front of the hotel, where Col. Shepperd has
taken up for the night.


The city at present is quiet. The Repub-
lican party is not as strong here as in New
Orleans All the municipal offices are filled
by secessionists, whose hostility to the gov
eminent has not abated a jot


Even some or those who have accepted
pardons, with all its sworn obligations, are
still in word and action, it is said, bitterly
opposed to the legislation of Congress, and
to great extent socially to the loyalists.


1t is complained that Gen. Swayne does
not exercise his power sufficiently, under
the Military bill for the protection of the
loyal people. No steps have yet been taken
for the registering voters in Alabama


In Louisiana it IS progressing rapidly, the
colored people exceeding the whites on the
list SO far by a large majority. A disposi-
tion to do full justice to the negro in New
Orleans was evinced yesterday by the ap-
pointment of two colored inspectors of Gus
toms by Judge Kellogg, collector, and the
promotion of a colored clerk. Mayor Heath,
understand, designs to throw open the pub
lie schools indiscriminately to whites and
blacks in short time.


Exclusiveness has been cause of eom-
plant by the colored population, who pay
so per cent of the school tax, and now can
not educate child in the common schools.
This reform is mainly due to the harmoni-
Gus influence of Judge Kelly's visit.
May 15--1 a. m-The firing, which com
menced at the place of meeting, extended to
several streets in the vicinity.


A report has been made to Col. Sheppard
that negro is lying dead on Cedar-st, a
few blocks above the scene of the riot. he
has detailed a guard to take possession ol
that locality until morning.


The whole military force, who are en-
camped about a mile for the place of meet
ing have been ordered into the city, and are
| posted at different points, prepared for at
| tempt or renewal of the riot.


Judge Kelly very coolly descended from
the platform, amid the fire. pushed his way
through the crowd, reached his hotel in safe
ty, his only diguise being your correspon
dents hat, who subsequently got off will
the only hat left on the table, which fortu
nately proved to be Mr.. Kelley's, and there
fore there was no loss of property in hats.
1t is said that several white men, who pro
badly had no part in the attack, were sho