A Speck of Riot--Steamer Pembina--1864

BURNS, HAYDEN, MURRAY, THOMPSON, WELCH

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 5/28/2016 at 14:51:50

A Speck of Riot
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When the steamer Pembina was here ten days ago it will be remembered that there was some trouble brewing on the levee on account of her colored crew, which was happily quelled by Mayor Thompson before any serious result had arisen. Yesterday on her return from St. Louis, a disturbance was again created and an attack made upon her crew, but the belligerents being too few to cope successfully with the darkies they sent up street for reinforcements which speedily made their appearance and a general fight began. The mate seized a bar of iron and laid about him in the most vigorous style, if we may judge by the sore heads that came out of the conflict. The arrival of the Mayor, who had been sent for, soon produced peace and restored order. He directed the arrest of five of the worst, and three of them had their trial before Justice Welch in the afternoon, the other two escaped from the officers and are making themselves scarce. Hugh Burns, John Hayden, and James Murray were sent to jail, the former for 16 days and the two latter for five days each. Meanwhile, some of the parties had filled information against the Captain and mate of the boat, but after a partial examination they were discharged, nothing being proved.

The course pursued by Mayor Thompson and Justice Welch will commend itself to all good citizens. The peace of the city and of the county will be preserved at all hazards whether it be in the case of riots against steamboat crews of newspaper offices.