NEWS

Louisville's somber Bloody Monday recalled

Photos and text by Michael Clevenger

While many use St. Patrick's Day as an excuse to raise a pint of green ale, a group of about 30 gathered to remember a sobering day in Louisville history, Bloody Monday.

All sported a little green and some wore the sash of the Ancient Order of Hibernians as they gathered Tuesday near a historical marker on West Main Street to commemorate the deadly event and hear Metro Councilman Tom Owen talk about that day and that era in Louisville's history.

Bloody Monday took place Aug. 6, 1855, when Irish and German immigrants were attacked by members of the American Know-Nothing Party on Election Day. Armed gangs from the Know-Nothing Party positioned themselves at various polling places and later drifted into Irish Catholic neighborhoods, where bloody rioting broke out.

German Catholics were drawn into the rioting, and at least 22 died in scattered street riots.

The Know-Nothing Protestants feared the growing Irish Catholics' and German Catholics' growing population in the community.

"I'd like for people to understand that as Irish people we hold dear our past and we remember things like this," said Hibernian Mark Wakefield, "and make sure it's remembered for all time."

His thoughts were echoed by Julia Garrison-Wood, "People become complacent; we just don't want them to forget," she said.

Led by bagpiper Zac Meilhaus, the group finished by walking 10 blocks from the marker to Patrick O'Shea's for lunch.