|
Boston was a huge seaport, and an eventual melting pot. Irish
immigration began in the 1700s. There was a lot of friction between the
English and Irish Americans, which continued into the 1900s. Arguably, this ancient cultural stalemate ended symbolically with John
F. Kennedy's victory over incumbent Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., in 1952. This friction had actually erupted into the huge Broad Street Riot of 1837. The following
is quoted from the 1838 Boston Almanac:
On June 11 1837, a Great Riot [occurred] in
Broad Street. It commenced between an engine company returning from a
fire, and an Irish funeral procession. It has not been satisfactorily
ascertained which party were the aggressors. The tumult increased to
such a degree, that nearly a thousand persons, at one time, were supposed to
be engaged in a brawl, the most desperate that ever occurred in this city. Several houses were broken into, furniture shattered inside, and cast into the
street. Beds were ripped open and their contents given to the winds. Sticks, stones, bricks, and all manner of missiles, were discharged by the
combatants at each other, with the utmost ferocity and yet, strange to
tell, no one was killed in the affray. The military was called out,
and in a strong body marched to the scene of action, and in a short time the
rioters were dispensed or captured. Crowds were sent off to the Police
Court; and at length, after the proper authorities had sifted the whole
affair, it resulted in the sending of John Whaley for four months, and
John Welsh and Barney Fanning each two months, at hard labor, in the
House of Correction.
On June 15th 1837, seventeen persons, concerned in the Broad Street Riot,
[were] ordered to recognize the sum of $300, [and] to appear at the next term of the Municipal
Court. One American was held to bail, Mark Adams, a truck man, against
whom the witnesses testified they saw him aiding in the sacking of the
houses.
On June 18th 1837, the city [was] very quiet since last Monday morning. A military force was stationed at Faneuil Hall today (Sunday), to protect
the armories, etc., and to act in case any disturbance should take place. Many Irishmen flock in from Lowell and other places. Their motives
unknown. As the engines were returning from a fire in South Boston,
some of the companies were assailed by hissing, hooting, etc. Many
attempts were made during the day to kick up a row [brawl].
Boston Today is a very diverse and tolerant city, having evolved for many
years. The Great Broad Street Riot can still be considered the worst
of such conflicts in the city's history.
Old London, England
Return to Strange Boston Page
|
