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More Canal Riots
St Catharines, (C.W.) Dec 14
[Buffalo Gazette, December 20,1843]
There has lately been some considerable disturbances among laborers on the Welland canal; but what is the cause, this time, we have not distinctly learned. It appears that Mr. Wheeler, one of the police officers, went out, with several assistants, to make an arrest among some of the canaller’s shanties, near Allanburgh; and on coming up with the accused, he found him armed, determined to resist the officers of justice, as well as many others of his companions, who fired at the policemen, and drove them from the ground—not, however, until Mr. Wheeler had levelled a pistol at them, which missed fire—himself receiving a ball deeply seated in the hip. An express was then sent off to D. McFarland, Esq., Port Robinson, for the assistance of a detachment of the colored corps stationed there, to quell the rioters, and effect the arrest of some of the ringleaders—which was promptly afforded, and they succeeded in securing the villian who fired on the police, and two others. They will, no doubt, receive the just reward of their misdeeds. Many of the canallers along the line, having refused to work at the reduced prices offered by the contractors, have been idle for sometime past—their funds are running low, and they are becoming desperate; and it is feared that much trouble and suffering will be the consequence during this inclement season of the year.
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