 A member of the mob claimed Fishman was selling guns to black people, so they went to his shop and demanded guns and ammunition from him.When he refused, they called him a "nigger lover," ransacked his shop, taking every gun in it, and set the shop on fire.The mob also overtook a calvary squadron – Troop B of Taylorsville – usurping their weapons, and making the cavalrymen flee for their lives.