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R OAV NOVEMBER 18 , t«54ONE CENT.* ' ' r Istones, c., that I had to leave ; at the time the engines cama up I saw others beaten ..by. the Irish with clubs, sho* els, c.; I Baw an old'man particularly that they were beating ; they struck him with shovels and stones ; he was notr Mr.-Harrison, but a deputy sheriff, who wasanel-aerly nun ; having on, \ think, a light coat*and a hat; I saw an Irishman with red hair ‘and a red shirt; he was beating a man with'a blubabout 4 feet long.Tho Inquest was here adjourned tiU Friday morning at 9 o'clock, A. M. ;THIBD DAY.The Jury reassembled according to appoint.meat, and the following testimony was taken:Giles Smith sworn—I reside at the corner of 6th and North 2d streets ; I was an Inspector of Election last Tuesday at the 1st District polls in the 14th Ward ; I was present at the time Silk-* worth was assaulted and dragged oat of the room ; he was assaulted by John Lyons and Others ; Silkworth had committed no assault ; he was attacked because he had challenged voters, and ae was badly beaten and dragged ont; this was about 15 minutes before the general riot; there was no misconduct on' the part, of tbedepaty'sheriffs in the room where the1 polls were held; 1 Baw Policeman Bradley In front of the door while Silkworth was being beaten * I did not see him take any: part in the affray; he said he was not on duty, and soon alter Ipft; I left before the bell was rung, and did not return. -Frederick A. Bennett sworn—I live at No. 62 Grand street; I am one of the Deputy Sheriffs; was present at the riot . iu. the 14th ward, on Tuesday last; was called -there by the ringing of the bell; when I got there I found Irishmen arming themselves by tearing dowti fences and splitting .the boards for clubs, and with axes; 'saw'one man with a shovel; they were assailing the Deputy Sheriffs at the time:' the first thing I saw when I got there was three Irishmen beating Alauson Hays, on the head with clubs; I. endeavoured to protect him; he got clear of the crowd by my interference ; the next thing I saw was a very tall slim Irishman with*a shovel attempting to strike one of the Deputies ; I pre«r. ceeded to protect the Deputy but waB knocked down by being struck with a stone, and beaten .by several men; I have been informed fchdfc'while I was down Harrison lost his life in endeavoring to protect me.Stephen Bingham sworn—I reside at 312 4th street; I was called to the polls In the 14th ward by the bell, and had been there previously; before I went home I heard an Irishman about 6 feet 2 inches in height, saying he “wished to spUl the; blood of all the protestants or damned Know Nothings; he had light or sandy hair; was in his shirt sleeves, with his fist doubled up; he had on a white shirt; I did not seejhim when I returned; ail 1 saw when I got to the fpolla after the bell rung was some women throwing stonescut'of the houses ia 2d street, next to the house in which polls were held.The Coart here adjourned-till 6 o’clock P. M*EVENING SESSION.Alderman John Linsky (2d ward) sworn,—j was present at the latter part of two riots that occurred at the corner of North 6th and 2d ets. on Tuesday last. The first riot occurred about9 A. M. I was on my way from the polls corner of Non h 4lh and 6th streets to the polls corner North 6 th and 2d sts., when the fire bell rang. When I arrived at the 1st District polls I saw a large number of people ; some had clubs in their hands and some were striking. At this-i-ime I was on the South side of North 6th street, abofct one hundred feet from Second street near where I stood ; I saw a young man come from the basement of a bcnse with a pistol inhishand; he appeared to be putting a cap on the pistol .; I immediately went away from there, and went about two hundred feet iur then from 2nd street;I did not know the young man ; he came from a house in North 6th St., the second or third house from the southeast corner of 2fi Btrefct; he was called back by some ladies standing oh the stoop of the same house; he went back without firing the pistol; I saw a man ndmed Cooney, who keeps a liquor store corner of North 1st and 2nd streets, at the riot; I think he had.al pistol in his hand ; I saw him apparently about to make an assault on a young man named McElroy ; I took hold of Cooney and ordered Mm away, an order which he obeyed ; I saw a man around thepolls that d*y who had a red shirt on ; at the riot that occurred at the the time of 'the alarm and after the crowd had gone down Second street toward North 5th street. I ordered po-lieeman Bradley to arrest a man withajwhlte shirt on. He ran Into a framehouse ou the north, side of North 6th, above 2d street. Bradley pursued him into the house but did not arrest him. The reason of my orderiug his arrestwas that I saw him coming from/the opposite ! side of the street with a club in his. hind,jat. the same time that a posse of deputy iBhe riffs were coming towards the polls. Mayor will stopped the Deputy Sheriff*, and I ordered this man’s arrest, I did not see this mau assault any one; At this time the rioting had ceased. At the first riot in the morning I saw officer Styers.run* log across the street from,the- polls;- He was bleeding, and 1 got between him ^nd^the crowd ; at;d protected him. I did not see any one I strike him. The rmau with t^he red1 shirt had a I round billet o! wood about three feet long. , I saw this man mailing.towards the. place of riot after the crowd had gone down Seoqnd street. Another man with a white shirt on and bare headed had a handle of a spade or snovel (n his hand. He had blood on the side ol his iaoe; hewent towards. the Beene of riot. T did not goto 21 street until order was* restored; I saw at the second riot Patrick McDoyle who went there witb me. Qab't say whom else I saw.Coroner—Did you see John Hanford there ? Ana. Yes, I think 1 did.Witness continued—After Mayor Wall came there, I took clubs f.ora a great number. I did not know any of them by name. After the riot I saw a cart gassing down North 6th street Some man unknown to ins stopped the horse, I Bhoved the man away aud told the carman to drive on. He did so. Mayor Wall was present at the time. Tivere were no rungs taken fromsome of the officers of Engiue Company No. 5 came up, and told him not to strike me, as 1 was all right. Said officers appeared to know the parties. One of the parties raised his club again to strike me, when one of said officers stepped betweenAn the mob cam* down aJiey endeavoring to stop them; they dia did not strike him. I found a policeman’s club with blood upon it; I have it inwiih.;pleges:of boards, clubs, 8fco.,; fighting; I raa away: do cot know and did not recognize any of t he parties. ‘ JPatrick1 McElroy (son ot the last witness)8WOTQ--I wA in-Norik 6 th street, near 2d when ! cirltteroc,wnenone ot said offithe figbf comm^Dced; the first thing I saw j h*1 p«ii?*Way’ pA■ the deputies c°2i{ag; they crossed ov r to the j B[on lhe^ lhp„ ,;. !«?“! ■polls and immediaxeiy got into a tight;! think aa. the deputies crossed North 6th street they shouted out, “clear the polls;! saw blows struck, but caa’t say which party commenced theattackrjuetalterjthe riot commenced I saw a man with a hoe in his hand and I think two with dubs; I think they came from the bouse above; they rushed into the crowd; I saw a man with a shovel strike at a man; think he had a red Bhirfc on; tfrhiin the deputies first arrived there were a good many standing around the polls; the fight commenced}, immediately after; I saw Cooney, who keep a store corner of 2d and North lstst3; he came towards me with a pistol in his belt; he had hold of the pistol; he called mo “a damned know nothin and said my father wa3 an Irish* man; he appeared to be augry at me; Alderman Linskey took him away; I did not see where he went; think he caught a horse by the head and stopped him and tried to get a rung from the cart.John, Brown sworn—I reside sin North 2d st, near 6ih; was at the polls corner of North 6th and 2d street all day until the riot; the riot tookplace aboafc-2 o’clock; there appeared to be about 20 or SO persons.gathered around the polls to keep others back from voting; deputy sheriff Hays said to them, “You must stand back, so as to give people room to vote;” at this time a yell was given, and a party of about 200 mea who had armed themselves with clubs and concealed themselves in the store in front of where the polls were held, the house opposite and in some houses above, rushed out and then the fight commenced; I saw a man that was arrested strike v a.deputy sheriff; the two policemen who were there appealed to be cognizant of wbat was going on-beforeihe fight commenced; after it was over they appeared to triumph with the mob,and daring the fight they did not interfere to protect those who were being beaten; I saw a young man that I can identity with a mallet in his hand standing in a door of the building where the polls were held. Alter the fight was over the parties returned to the same buildings that they oame from at the time the deputies were attacked, and the doors immediately olosed again: previous to this general fight, at the time that Silkworth wes dragged out, policeman Bradley made no attempt to arrest the parties although they brandished their clubs and boasted of it in lua presence; neither did he attempt to take their weapons from them; the clubs used by the mob consisted mostly of hoop poles taken from coopers' yards in the neighborhood and into lengths 2 and 8 feet long.Adjourned till Saturday morning.rOVRTHL DAY—SATURDAY.The Jury raasembled pursuant to adjournment.-.. « . 'John Hanford sworn—I reside at No. 96 North 3rd street; I was present at a riot that ocoumd at the polls corner of North 6c.h and 2d Btreete;I was on-my way there at about North 5th aud 2d when the bell struck; a large number ot per* sons moved from the polls to vards North 5fcb; at tbiB time there was nlt;^fighlng; I passed on to i he corner of North 5th and 2d eiret; I met Hamilton Allen on the way who said it was all qaiet at the polle; after I had stood at the corner about one minute I saw a parcel of deputies as I supposed by their clubs; I otfly knew one of them; his name wasRapelyea; they were running to w^rds the polls with their clubs rained; there were about lea or, twelve in the party; they went immediately to the door of the polls and nearly nil went in; parties standing around called “eiear the way—there they come.The; leader of the deputies baited, as he was in advance ol his party and eaiied to them to come on and they advanced together; while the deputies were in the room I saw parties tearing down a fence aud taking sticks off a little pen about.5 feet high; at about the same instant I saw parties rushing out of the door where the depu ties had entered, some armed with oluba some fighting with their fists; I saw one man have a spade or Bkovel handle; I don’t know.where he came from; I saw about twenty er thirty of the mob armed with clubs; the mob soon go* together in a solid body and drove the deputies downmy posBCBBion now.Uriah Lott sworn: I reside in Fillmore street; am ft special policeman; I was present at the riot; while the mob were beating officer Hays,’ 1 saw a large man with a red shirt on and red hair and large nuihy whi8keiB;be had blue overhauls on; this man first seized Wm. H. Harrison, who stood close to the fence on the east Bide ol 2nd street near north btn; this man seized Harrison by the collar and dragged him away from the fence; ae he seized him I interfered to save him (Harrison) but was immediately struck. by this time, or before I got out of the crowd, Harrison was down and they were beating him; I think the stick that Harrison was beaten with was a stick that he had in hia hand at the time ho was standing; I saw the big man with red shirt neize this slick; as he seized it 1 interfered and was struck; I then saw the same stick raised over Harrison's head and saw it come down; it was the big man that struck the blow; I saw the man that first seized Harrison, previous to this in north 6tn street with a shovel in his hand with a pan oi the blade broken oil; I have heard him called y the name of Buckskin; when he attacked Harrison ho had no weapon in his hand; Harrison was standing perfectly still when he was attacked; he was taking no’part whatever in the riot; when 1 escaped from the crowd cowards north 5th street I saw officer Hays lying on tho ground and 5 or 6 were over him beating him with staves,' across tho head and body.^ AUaneon Bays sworn—I reside at 93 North 5th 5th street! am a special deputy sheriff; was present at the polls last Tuesday corner North 6ih and 2d streets; on learning of Silkworth being beaten I went to the Odeon, and with about 12 other deputies went down to the polls followed by a large crowd; when we arrived there we cleared a passage to the polls so that reporters could get in. At this time 1 saw one man with an axe,one with a hoe, and another with a shovel tearing down a fence, adjoining the house where the polls werejheld and making clubs of the boards; I spoke to one of the deputies and said *do you see that* and we immediately made a rush towards them to stop tnetn when the man with the axe raised it over the head of the deputy and I seized him by the arm and knocked him down with my club; at this time I saw parties coming out ol the house where the pollswere held, and of the house opposite and from other directions armed with clubs, brickbats and smoothing irons; when I saw them coming I drew a small pistol from my pocket and fired it; that is the lastthing I recollect distinctly as 1 was then knocked down and became insensible. I had heard threats in tho morning, that if the deputies came there they would club them to death. The man that appeared to be the ringleader of the mob, was a tail man with a ied shirt on, and had red hair, and whiskers. This was the man that baa the axe.1 saw npne of the Deputies strike any oneumil the axe vm.3 raised to strike a Deputy Sheriff. I struck him to save the Deputy's life ; and that I think was the first blow struck at that time.George Hartley sworn, says—I reside corner of South 4th and lUth streets. I went to the scene olrlot last Tuesday. When the fire bell ring the riot was nearly over. When I got there I saw a short man in a white coat, that used to keep a bakery on the east Bide of First street, between Grand and North 1st streets. I know him by sight. I saw him strike a young man who works for John Holt with a stick. At this time the young man was running from a man pitied with the small pox, who was thtowlng stones at him. I saw the young man turn and strike tne baker, after being struck him self, with a deputy sheriffs club. That wus the last I saw as I was escaping from the mob.Daniel McGrath sworn—I reside in 5th screot, between North 5th and North 6th streeta. I am a policeman of the 2d ward or this city. 1 was atHie polls corner of North 6ih and 2d streets onTuesday last, about 9 o’clock in the morning. I went there on being told there was a riot there.— When I got there the riot was nearly over. I saw Nicholas Burke with a club in hia hank. I took it from him and threw it away, or at least,he threw it away himself. It looked like a piece of hoop-poie. I have heard of men being struck by the de-puti«j at the riot, but I did not hear who it was struck.Edward J5. Brown sworn—I reside at 25 North 3rd st.*, I was standing at the corner of North 5th and 2nd st. last Tuesday during the riot; a half grown boy beat John H. Smith; Smith had no club, but when he was picked up 1 found one lying beside him like a policeman’s, but something shorter ; Smith jerked away from the boy, when a man struck him on the head and knocked him down ; I saw VVm. H. Harrison on his hands and knees on ths curb atone ; at the same time I saw a man withSecond street; I saw ona deputy pass me; bis # . ., . . ^ .face was so bloody I eouid notreeoguize him; I 1 u re(i lm on the head with a club orkaooktd down ia th? middle of the 4 handfe °^a 8Pat*e» J fiaw Harrison at the samesaw a mancorners,of North 6m and 2dvwh a rough gfcave; the man with the shovel handle and 4 or 6 others were at him at the same time; as soon aa he was knocked down the crowd closed on him and altvr that itime I saw no more of him; at about the same instant I beard the report of a pistol and I went down 2d at. to North 3rd In passing along I saw thl mob chasing others; I -did not see any one struck; 1 was nefc present when Silkworth was dragged out; Mr. Stanton fold mo he was present at the riot; I saw Mr. Rhodes there at the commenement of the riot; the mob consisted of Irishmen, I judge from theirappearance.James H. Ridgeway sworn—£ reside at No, 183Ninth 6 th St.; was prescot at the riof; on tho morning of the rio I saw an officer trying to arrest a man for attempting to vote illegally ; tho crowd attempted to rescue him ; the man was taken away lVom the officers, when the deputies drew their dubs and attempted to arrest those who had rescued tho prisoner; at this time I saw a man with a light fire suit on call for a pistol or knife ; he said he wanted to shoot or stick me deputies if any one would give him a pistol or knife; he was a short . stout maiu understood he was assistant foreman of No. lvo.; this appeared to intimidate tho deputies, and the mob gathered round them and got hold of their clubs; and while they held thv*ir clubs others of the mob would strike tho deputies; at this time a man attempted to assist the deputies, and he waB knooked down ; understood he was a caulker that worked ia New York ; the man who knocked him down was a young man, with striped coat and black cloth cop; was told that he was a ahip-enrpenter named Patrick Lyons ; this Lyons soon after went away, and oame back with a different coat on—a kind of mouse color ; the first m in that assaulted Silkworth was a short stout man with no coat on, and pantaloons of a small cttcck, blacktime.Win, Bradley sworn—I am a policeman of the 2d ward. I was at the polls from 10 o'clock till night time, except at dinner time. On return from dinner I eaw a mob running down North 6ih sr., from the polls, towards 1st street. The only man that I saw that had been beaten was a tall stout man. He had a red shirt oo, and Had red hair.— He is a ship carpenter or sawyer. I saw him arouud the polls previous to this, but I don’t think he had tlie red shirt on. I think he had a cap on. They were coming with him through 2d street, tcwurds the polls near North 6th st. I saw no one with him that I recognised. While I was at the polls I saw none of the deputies strike anyone. At the time time that Silkworth was dragged out I was was unable immediately to go to his assistance on account of the crowd, but I got out as soon aa I could. When 1 first got out ot tho room 1 saw a man named Flaherty trying to protect him who called mo to assist. I went to him as soon as I could get there and assisted Flaherty to conduct Silkworth to the corner of North 6th and 2d street where I waa knocked down. During this time there were a number ot blows struck, but I could not see who by as I had my head down trying tocover Silkworth.Adjourned till Sunday afternoon.FIFTH DAY, (Nov. 12.)Pearson Brown testified as to seeing Harrison struck on the back of the head by a club in the hands of a man behind him, He fell, as he was backing up and defending himself from five or six Irishmen. Witness picked Harrison up and went towards 5th st. At the same instant he saw John H. Smith running from the west to the east side ot Second street and fell. Haw a man to him unknown strike him on the head before he eould eet up. Did not see him struck beiore he fell. Witness immediately went to him. Tho man attempted to repeat the blow but he prevented him. Saw no one else strike him. Witness and Edward E.the carfc. At the second riot I saw a Deputy Sheriff strike a t£H,u that was standing ozi the curb stoat*, ne.tr the polls, aud saw tae same Deputy strike another that was in the act of rising from the gutter. This was in North 6th. corner of 2d street, at the time the fighting was going on in 2d st. Both men that were struck had in their hands at the time olubs of some kind. I r«;oogofsed Deputies that day by their clubs.James Lavcrfy sworn—I was going through 2d street at the time the fire bell was rang, and I was overtaken b,y a company near North 5th st;I was going on toward North 7th street, and saw a number of people between North 6th street and North 6;h etreot-, clubbing eaoh other; it appeared to be a general riot; I turned to the west side oi the street and proceeded to 7th street, where I stopped and Jlooked at the crowd; I did not recognize any man I knew engaged in the riot; after the i iot subrsided I returned to the scene audjsaw Mayor Wall, a mannajned .McGoy and others. .Barnard McElroy sworn—I reside No. 90Grand street; I was at the riot between !1 and 2 o’clock on Tuesday last; when I weut there I saw John Brown at the corner of the poll and crossed over to the other cornt'r, when I heard the fire hell ring; I looked down 2d street towards Grand, when I saw a party of men with clubs; I supposed they were officers by their clubs; tkey weut across tho street to the polls,and a fight commenced etthe door; saw menand drab; ho had a cap oot; 1 did nol see him strike j jgrown ^ formftr witness) took Smith away, him ; there was too much of a crowd *, after iSilk- , Smith sworn—Saw a man with n bluworth, was dragged out I saw a tall man with san- \ dy whiskers and thin lace strike him with a club *, ho had blue overalls and a blue shirt; I know the man by sight; a, man named Brown,*a bell-ringer, brought Silkworth out of tho crowd after he had been beaten.William Me*ki* affirmed: I reside at 104 Grand street} I am assistant engineer of the Fire Department; was called out by an alarm foT the 4th District; was told there was no fire; proceeded towards the scene of riot, thinking it was a firemen’s riot. On looking buck, I saw a party coming from towards North 4th street; went to order them back; some few had clubs with them. On turning round,X saw' a large putty coming from North 6th street, armed with Uoop-poles and slaves*, they were striking every one that earne in their way. I next saw PierBon Brown carrying Mr. John H. Smith. 1 next saw a man with a blue coat and gilt buttons striking on old man over tho head with a round club, about 4 feet long; followed him, and pushed I him ofi from him; at this time the old man was \ on his hands aud knees; as he would attempt to get up, the man would strilco him again; he struck always over the head; the man with the club then threatened to strike me, but he did not. I had an. engineer’s cap on at the time. I then turned my attention towards Brown and Smith; and on looking back towards the old man, ho was on his hands and kneea again, and had got into North 5th street, near 2d street; he was in the act cl dia-chareine apiatol as I looked down; Wltatho bWcoat Bhortty alter returned, with 4 or bIsaac Smith sworn—Saw a man with n blue coat on, out at the elbows, with dirty plaid pantaloons with his boots outside, struck a man whom he supposed ro be Harrison. Saw clubs thrown out of the windows of the house where the polls were held, both during and after the riot.Adjourned till Monday.SIXTH DAY (Nov. 13.)Wvnthrop M Mange, a deputy sheriff*, arrested a man about 9 o’clock lor attempting to vote illegally, when a mob of Irishmen attempted to rescue him, bat ho took him to the ceils. He then corroborates the account already given of the attack on Silkworth at a subsequent time of the day; and alsothe attack on Hays, but without identifying any0nI*6 he was retreating through 2nd street one woman threw a smoothing iron at him from the house next to the corner of north 6th street, west side oi 2nd; he was stationed at the polls by order of Gapt. Perry (to whose division he belonged) to protect the peace, through officer Thayer.Ross W. Gardiner corroborated the last witness, ami further deposed that Edward McCue was the ringleader in the attempt to rescue hia prisoner. Edward Brown, John Lyons, James Reid, and Flaker'.y (who struck officer Thayer), also assisted. Aid. Linsky said at, that time to John Nolan and Callaghan the hatter1* I don’t thidk these deputy eherifls have any right to arrest, if they should attemot to arrest me I would knife one ol them; they have no authority from the city fathers;” when the assault waa committed on the deputies and whnesa was knocked down Aid. Linsky said “don’tAihftTfl armed with clubs, and brandished bis ciub whnesa was knocked down Ala. tansKy earn aon imesome;whon| 8,rikc him-thai'e Gwdin.r” and the mob then
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Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn, New York, US
Sat, Nov 18, 1854
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USA 18 Jul 2020
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