Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-03-01
A ROW AT THE CHINESE THEATER.

! There was n mimic Astor House riot at the
Chinese Theater Saturday night. What may
be termed Forrest and Macready clans were
present in full force, and from the outset
there were indications of trouble. The regu
larly located troupe of Sacramento Celestial
artists was displaced by the management Tor
that night to give some "blarsted Macready-
ties imported from San Francisco :" an oppor-
tunity to win honors on the stamping grounds
of the Sacramento Forrestians. The latter
were evidently represented by lively col
lection of highbinders, there for the purpose
of kissing and jeering the imported stock out
OF the Sacramento theatrical barnyard
| at least this is the only iuterpreta-
! ton outside barbarians can place upon the
events that took place, and it is probable the
! theory is correct. The theater was packed
| from the very caves OF the cobwebed roof to
! the lowermost gutter of the pit. SO soon as
| the San Francisco Macreadys put in an appear
auce the orrestites showed their non-appre-
citation by +" cat-cails, guys" and other in
tel ruptions that would have put "MeEcan
! teater" gods to shame. The company en-
/ dured the torture for some time Finally
the programme called for fencing exhibi'
ton. Actors appeared with long and gleam-
ing swords, sharp-edged and plant as Da-
mascus blades. One wore an enormous
! shield, another welded two of the swords
at one time, and warded off attacks
! from opponents with spears The exhi-
bition was one of very skilliul fencing,
but it did not satisfy the Chinese
! hoodlums, who raised storm of'disapproval.
! The row attracted the attention of several of.
! ticers, who entered, and congratulated them.
selves on the points they were gaining in The
methods of Chinese attack aud resistance
! Presently the swordsmen were opposed by
one of the troupe armed with heavy three.
pronged spear with a siX-foOt staff, with
which he made apparent murderous thrustS
that were skilfully parried by the swordsmen,
whereat portion Of the auditors applauded.
but the highbinders interrupted with cries OF
sc0rn and epithets OF rage, and made such
hostile demonstrations that one of the man.
ayers rushed on the stage and pulled the
sportsman away. Instantly the hoodlums
sprang from the parquet and gallery and be-
gan to Chamber for the stage, and young riot
began. w. d. Farrell, Deputy Constable,
blew his whistle and started for the front
local officer May blew his whistle ami went fo1
the thick of the fray. Local office Coffee
came from the door AID started in as a peace.
maker, while interpreter Sanders got himself
into the gallery to head off the hoodlums in
that direction. Swords were brandished,
spears trembled, Celestials hooted and howled,
crowded upon the stage and threatened,
when Chinese merchant, who is dignitary
in "Chinese Masonry, mounted bench and
lifted up his hand and the crowd divided, the
"Masons on one side and the s. hoodlums u
on the other. The division gave the officers
an opportunity to get between. One of the
ring eaders was snatched bald-headed to the
rear, and the others given to understand that
the low must cease. After time of much
! jabbering, the officers quoted the excited
crowd. The highlander faction demanded its
money back, on the ground that the imported
| performers were frauds and not fit to be
seer, but the management agreed to substi-
tute another play and the old favorites, which
was done, and peace was restored. The be.
lief is that but for the opportune interference
of the officers there would have been muir
derous fray, as blood was up and weapons
were handy.