THE LILLIEBRIDGE RIOT.

Colonist, Volume XXX, Issue 5016, 27 September 1887, Page 3

THE LILLIEBRIDGE RIOT.

UNPARALLELED SCENES. FURTHER DETAILS. (Special to United Press Association.) London, September 20. Finth«r particulars of the Hutohens-Gent affair show that those well-known sprinters had decided to run 120 yards for £200 a side and the championship of the world. Con* siderable interest had been taken in the event for some timt past, and Gent was a hot favorite until to-day, when it became known that in a private trial he had failed to make the championship time, and consequently the betting went round in Hutchena' favor. Several thousands assembled in anticipation of seeing the match, and were intensely disappointed. Gent and Hutchens, after showing themselves on the track, retired, and at first the spectators could not understand what had happened, but it speedily became known that the race had been declared off, Gent forfeiting the stakec obviously to save hi 3 backers. The expressions of disappointment from the crowd were of the most angry nature, and were intensified by the refusal of those who had control of the grounds to return the admission money. A seen* of the wildest excitement Was witnessed, which is unparalleled in the history of sporting disturbances in England. The greater nurabtr of the bookmakers took advantage of the confusion and bolted without settling. The enraged crowd, in dissatisfaction at the non-return of their money and disappointment over the match, prooseded to wreck everything in the ground. The out-buildings, two grand stands, and a dancing hall were | speedily demolished, and an immense bonfire was formed of the. debris. Ail the liquor saloons were looted, and an attempt was made to burn down the Cromptcfh Station. The infuriated body of people were recruited by hundreds of roughs outside the grounds and proved too strong to be held in check by the police itationed in the vicinity. The mob remained masters of Lilliebridge for fully three hours, when reinforcements of police were brought from all parts'of London and suburbs, and the place was eventually cleared of the rioters. During the time the riot lasted, many persona were seriously injured in the fights with the police, who were endeavoring to prevent the wholesale wrecking of buildings. One man dropped dead from excitement. Hutobens and Gent, alarmed at the threats of a number of betting roughs, escaped from the grounds at the commencement of the disturbance, to avoid, personal injury to themsglres.