The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-30
BREAKIN0 UP 4 PICNIC
The Mohawk Pleasure Clubs Unweieome
Guests-Riotous Scenes ON the sound.

The members Of the Mohawk Pleasure
Club and invited guests to the number OF about
400 started for Columbia Grove at O'Clock yes
terday morning from the foot of West Thirty
fourth street. in the barge j. Il. Baldwin and
the tugboat Baltic. At the foot of Eighth street,
East River. the barge was boarded by thirty or
forty young fellows. said to belong to tho " Riv-
erside gang" whose headquarters are In Dry
Dock street. between Twelfth and Fourteenth
streets The majority Of them were from II to
2l years Of age. cheaply but flashly dressed.
with spring bottoms to their trousers. bouton-
nieres in their buttonholes. straw hats cooked
one side. and cigars stuck in the corners OF their
mouths They swarmed aboard without paying
and long before tho grove was reached the RiV-
ersiders had taken practical possession OF the
barge.
bar which was on the forward deck. Ost, the
proprietor. and his two assistants wero assault
ed and driven from behind the counter and the
gang took possession. smashing bottles, Ruz-
zling liquor. and creating great disturbance.
Women screamed. children scampered away
frightened. and Ost vainy begged his Assaiants
to desist threatening them with arrest as soon as
they reached Whtestone. The Mohawk commit
tee tried TO restore order, but without effect The
rioters rolled out Keg after keg which were first
pitched overheard and then towed around to
The stern, where they were picked up by one OF
sniq Oss ses 'Hs I9'f RSsdd
on the forward deck and at tho stern
both portions OF which the Riyersiders
had taken complete possession OF, tortifying
themselves by a barrlcade OF beer kegs. on
Whitestone the gang rolled two more barrels
overheard. and the, barge struck q yacht
carrying away her bowsprit Meantime the
tlghting went on, black eyes and bloody noses
being abundant. party landed, and, entering
the barroom OF Charles Watts began drinking all
the liquor they could lay hands on. When ask,
ed for pay. they pulled out penknives and
bropdished them IN Wattss face. Watts be;
declared that he would smnsh the head OF the
first man that attacked him. Watts rushed
through tho CROWD. brandishlng ms mallrt'
whrrrupon the Rversiders cooled and con-
sented to settle their bill.
Ost the barkeeprr who had been chased
ashore with threats Of lynchng II he returned,
went TO the telegraph office hall milo OF, and
sent the following despatch;
To Superintendent Waiinq. Polite HeaiqmtaI Mulberry Street.
Send steamboat seneca 'And squad Of poloe her AZ
Rubhcry ami perhaps murder committed on barge
j. X Baldwin. tSigned, Osr
Tho Superintendent telographed back that
WhitrstOne WINS out OF his Jurisdiction. and
that Ost had better amply 70 the Wholesome au-
the pier. but. as Ost had disappeared there was
no one to make a complaint, Tho Mohawk
Club Committed held u meeting and decided
that they had picnic enough for one day with
the tug headed about Half a dozen OF the
ringeaders, who feared arrest. together with
women aud children who dreaded TO go home
on tho barge. landed and wont on the o'clock
train to Long Island City
On the homeward voyage tho nghting broke
out afresh. The Rlversders separated into
other. Finally the committee backed by the
peaceable part OF the company. rose. and in
a struggle in which hard knocks were given
and received on both sides. suGceeded In con-
powered and locked up In the hold. whore they
pummelled each other " their hearts content