Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1891 — COMBATANTS IN CORK. [ARTICLE]

COMBATANTS IN CORK.

DESPERATE FIGHTS BETWEEN IRISH FACTIONS. Many Badly Wounded—Mounted Police with Considerable Difficulty Disperse the Savage Combatants—Work for the Surgeons. Irish Blood Fows. When Messrs. William O'Brien and John Dillon arrived in Cork, the two distinguished members of Parliament were met by a deputation composed of memDers of the National Fedeiation, representatives of the Gaelic Club, the municipal officers, and a large number of priests. An enormous crowd of people lined the route, followed by the procession which followed Messrs. O’Brien and Dillon from -tho railroad station. The procession was headed by a brass band and was escorted by a strong detachment of police. Thu fact that the police and military were thoroughly prepared for a riot alone prevented the city from becoming a scene of slaughter. After the convention a large body of police closed about Dilion and O’Brien to escort them to their hotel. Dillon Dassed a few words of commonplace with the inspector in command, and that functionary listened very stiffly and condescendingly. The incident was witnessed by the Parnellites, who howled in derision. For some distance the procession passed along without more serious demonstration, the crowds on the street, however, growing every moment more excited. The McCarthyites, including a number of priests and the redoubtable Canon O’Mahoney, followed Dillon and O’Brien. Every now and then a Parneilite in the crowd would howl and swing a shiliaiah around his head and make a dash for the McCarthyites. Tho police would then charge and restore order for a moment. At length the Parnellites grew uncontrollable, and yells of “Murderers,” “England’s lickspittles,” and other epithets saluted the McCarthyites. The latter knew that they would soon be attacked, and came to a halt, turning on their assailants. Missiles of all kinds flew through the air, and the cries of defiance became louder and louder. The blood 1 owing from injured heads and limbs, the groans of the fallen wounded, the fierce energy of the combatants, and the ebb and flow of the tide of battle, as the advantage veered to either side, gave a realistic picture resembling somewhat the Communist uprising in i aris. Thq mounted constabulary was hurriedly formed in order for a charge. It was a dangerous duty, for deadly missiles were flying on every hand, and the order was given to cut right between tho two parties, whore the police would receive the volleys from both. Not a constable flinched. They formed as perfectly as on pai ade and started on the gallop at the word of command. The order was given to strike only with tho flats of their sabers, and there is no reason to believe that, under great provocation, it was disobeyed. As the constables spurred forward the volleys of missiles grew thicker, for each side was sure that if they missed each other they would at least hit a policeman. The police were persistent, however, and at length succeeded In breaking up the riot; this result, however, being largely due to the fact that the rioters themselves were appalled at the number of the wounded. Many of the latter were taken to their homes and others to the hospita's. Whether any cases have proved fatal is not yet known.