[Little Rock] Arkansas True Democrat, May 26, 1860
Serious Collision Between Fire Companies Nos. Three and Six.—One of the most disgraceful and unheard of riots that ever took place in this city occurred on Main street, between Adams and Washington streets, Sunday afternoon, about three o’clock. The difficulty originated between the members of fire companies No. 3 and 6, from a misunderstanding, which has existed between them for some time past, and which on several occasions has culminated in hostile collisions among them, though until Sabbath last they were generally smothered up without serious results. At the fire on Sunday morning last in the locality of the M. & O. depot, a number of the members of the two companies, named (No. 3 and 6) became involved in a difficulty, resulting in the overpowering of the 3’s by the 6’s, who bore the former’s engine off, it being afterwards found in a bayou, but before midday was replaced in the 3’s engine-house.
Sunday afternoon the members of No. 3, who had been absent at Nashville, returned to the city and at once repaired to their engine-house. What deliberation on the affair of the morning ensued we are not able to state; but a little after two o’clock, No. 4’s bell sounded a fire alarm, and the 3’s, 1’s and 6’s started from their respective houses, down Main street, the former ahead, and the latter some distance in the rear.
The 3’s, upon arriving at the corner of Madison, discovered that the alarm was false, and turning their engine, started towards Adams street. The 6’s, who had by this time arrived at Union block, below Court street, also started for home, in a lively run. The 3’s then increased their speed, and by the time the 6’s reached Adams street, were nearly alongside, and not turning down Adams, both companies stopped a short distance above it.
At this point a tragic scene, which beggars all description, took place. Hardly a moment elapsed ere the two companies, numbering in all perhaps fifty or sixty individuals, took opposite positions—the 6’s north, and the 3’s south—on Main street, when a rowdy shout was raised, followed by a rain of brickbats, clubs and all available missiles, which hither and thither went whizzing through the air, maiming those immediately engaged in the mob, and placing the lives of bystanders and the outside crowd, which had grown into immense proportions, in jeopardy. Excitement soon became rife; the street was alive with men almost dead with their wounds, and by others who apparently were paving their way to almost certain death, when in not less than three minutes, loud reports of pistols were heard in rapid succession, a number of shots taking effect in the crowd, seriously wounding several persons, who were speedily taken away by their friends. Of those injured, the wounds of one have already resulted fatally, he having died at the hospital yesterday.
The wounds of the others, though painful, it is thought will not prove fatal. After the contents of all the firearms had been discharged, the mob dispersed, the members of company No. 6, as before, carrying off the engine of No. 3, toward their, the six’s engine house, a running fight being kept up between the lagging members of both companies. At, or on the way to the six’s engine house; the three’s engine was despoiled by some mean parties with an axe, the spokes of the wheels being cut, and the body of the machine badly disfigured. After the dispersion of the crowd, both companies repaired to their respective houses, where meetings were held characterized by great excitement. The companies have resolved to suspend until the difficulty shall have been authoritatively adjusted, until which time we defer expressing any opinion as to who were the aggressors.—But a grievous wrong and a barbarous outrage has been committed, which will forever be a stain and a stigma on the fair fame of the Memphis fire department, none will deny.
We trust, however, that a repetition of the disgraceful scene enacted on Sunday, will not again occur, and that we may see restored the wonted harmony, peace, and good will which has heretofore reigned among our firemen, who, governed by no hope of remuneration, have been working for a common good, and battling against a common enemy.—Memphis Enquirer.