Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-27
RAILROAD BANDITTI.
An Astonishing Cor dItIon of Affairs
on a Long Island Raiiway-Pas-
sengers Attacked BIZ ROughs With
Drawn Pistols In an Excursion
Car.
~ York Hernld. Julu 1g.

AeU 1OfE hsfutu, jug ~.
An astonishing assault was made upon
the passengers of a Rockaway train on
Sunday evening last by a gang of New
York roughs. The details of the attack
are more suggestive of the methods of
the Italian banditti than of the ordinary
picnic affravs of America. Just after
the half past nine o'clock train started
from the depot at ROckaway Beach
some dissipated but fierce looking bruis-
ers began to look around in one of the
| cars, seemingly taking mental invento-
~ of the physical accomplishments of
the passengers. Among the rOughs were
two women who were conspicuously
demonstrative, and the bOisterOusness
of the party attracted a deal of atten
ton even among those who were accus-
toned to seeing ROckaway
crowds. The men had evidently
been drinking. They grew uneasy and
quarrelsome, and began to glare at the
more inoffensive passengers. Suddenly
one of the roughs stepped from the side
of his female companion, who was
making coarse exhibition of her famil-
iarity with him, and crossing the aisle to
a peaceable man. Mr.. Michael McMullen,
residing at No. 316 East Eleventh street,
who was sitting directly opposite, de-
mauded, How many fellows have you
got in your crowd?"
Enough to make you mind your own
business, was the reply. At this the
rough insolently slapped Mr.. McMullen's
face, and accused him of winking at his
girl. Mr. McMullen said that as he is
married he had no desire to wink at any
bodv's girl. Mr. McNullen had com.
panion bv his side who was selfpOs-
sessed, and it was due to his influence
that the blow was not returned.
At length. after some hot words, order
was restored. The passengers looked
out of the windows and McMullen
dropped into doZe 4 German sitting
near by saw one of the roughs approach
the sleeper with a drawn revolver. He
raised it to take aim, but the German
knocked it down, and then general
melee was begun. The German crap
pied with the man with the pistol Nc
| Mullen sprang to his assistance and the
weapon was wrenched from him. Then
Mr.. McMullen was knocked down and
kicked in the face. While he was lying
almost helpless on the floor of the car
with the mob trampling on him, bruiser
named OReilly kicked him and jumped
on him, but in spite of this he managed
to throw the robber off in time TO
grapple with one of the women who
had her hand in his pocket search
ing for money. Then there was
fierce fighting, and the entire car
was like cage of wild beasts. The
roughs howled and swOre. McMullen
caught the female robber by the wrist
and twisted 1t backward until she shrek
| ed with pain. The bruiseTs tried to
squeeze through the crowd and break
down the seats to reach her. The Ger
man struck out right and left to the ter
ror of the robbers, while the train was
laundering over the track at the rate of
| thirty miles an hour. The roar Of the
cars. the shrieks of the women and the
| bowling of the men, and the blazing 10.
connective drawing this pandemonium on
wheels through the darkness, made the
scene a terror for those Of the inhabitants
of ROckaway peninsula who were out
that night.
Fortunately Sheriff Wright, of Queens
county, was on board the train with one
of his deputies, and after a severe strug-
gle he forced his way over the heads OF
the surging mob and reached the real
offenders. The passengers welcomed the
officers, and after vigorous fight the
Sheriff and his deputy made prisoners OF
one or two of the ringleaders OF the cut
throat gang. On the arrival of the train
at Hunters Point the prisoners were
committed to the county Jail They
| gave the names Of John SandersOn, Dan
lei Reilly and james Reilly, and said
! they belong in this city.