New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-15
REFUGEES in A RIOT.

PLANTS OF IIL~TREATMENT.
Information of a not among the Russian Hebrew
refugees on Wards Island reached the city yesterday
afternoon. 1t was followed by exaggerated reports
of violence aad bloodshed which caused much ex-
citernent AT Police Headquarters. and many police
men were sent TO the island early IN tie evening
after the disturbance had subsidized. Tho trouble
was caused in part by the discomfort Of the poor
Hebrews who have been kept in dleness ior several
weeks and it was made worse by the action OF
few policemen who went among them TO make al
arrest.
Five low frame buildings, which together
cover nearly an acre of ground, are grouped
on the northeast corner Oh wan"
Island They are rude sheds at the DesI' haNiis
been erected hastily IN the latter part OF August
In them are sheltered and fed nearly |oo refugees
who were collected there about September l. Dy inc
Hebrew Emigrant Aid Society. Most OF the ID
mates are women and children, the men numbering
only about 49, The society has been able to feed
the throng only by making strenuous efforts 10 colcce
funds and by the practice of rigid economy FOOD
is purch sed and cooked in large quantities under
the direction OF Henry Blank the superintendent OF
the colony At meal times the refugees are col
ected in detachments at the rough tables LII one Oh
the large pavlliOns and the 1000 Is ula-
tributed TO them from large dishes.
There has been much discomfort recently on &C
count of the manner of serving food. some
complaints of oppression on the part OF the super
intendent have been made and few persons nave
been dissatisfied with the quantity or quality OF IA
tons which they received.
Efforts have been made by the agents of the so
ciety to procure employment for those OF the
refugees who are able to work, but very few of the
abe-bodied men and women have been given
situa ions Enforced deness has been another
grievance which has caused much grumblng In the
COLONY To make matters worse, Alr. Blank and his
assistant, Jacob Shattock, have become unpopular
in the community The officers claim that
the feeling against them has been stirred
up uujustly by s'me meddlers from this
city, who have been allowed to visit the
colony Dr. Brown, the publisher Of Hebrew
newspaper was one of the persons who was said to
have made bitter attacks upon the superintendent
and his assistant On the other hand, Blank and
Sh6ttock have been accused of dealing with the men
and women under their care IN most offensive WAYS
1t is claimed that they have carried clubs and
pistols and have exhibited them when there was
no disorder or cause for intimidation They also
organized little volunteer police department in
the colony.
The disturbance yesterday broke out soon after
noon. There had been religions services. it being
the Hebrew Sabbath, aud some of the refugees had
been made indignant, it was said, by part
of the sermon in which alusion was made to local
tyranny. While the dinner was being served.
man named Robotta demanded an extra allowance
of some stewed prunes and apples which were
being ladled out Of IA pail by one OF Mr.. BlaDks
orderlies. Upon beng refused, RObotta seized the
ladle ana struck the or4hery ha InS SVeTSmlth
Silversmith went to the Superlntendents Office in
a small building near the pavilion, and reported
what had happened ShattOck was III the office at
the time and he attempted TO enforce discipline by
reprimandIng RObOtta. The offender said ne
preferred to help himself TO his food Shattock said
that If RobOtta would not obey tho rules he mast
leave the colony. RObotta said he was willing to
90 to the city in search OF employment. lie was
given pass and receipt for some clothing which
he desired to leave behind him but before he could
get away from the island he was surrounded by
several Of his friends and importuned TO stay.
Threats Of yloenes against eh ia th
malc0ntents. Mr.. Blank decided to seek police
sstance, and message was sent TO superintendent
Walling by telegraph from the Insane Asylum.
Three policemen were sent to the island from the
Twelfth Precinct, but when they saw large
crowd OF excited Hebrews III front of
Willingness to arrest RobOtta against whom
charge of disOrderly conduct was made. Word
was teiegrapled to Police Headquarters for more
policemen. aa1 abOnt p. m three other patrolmen,
led by RoIndsman Mckenna. arrived at the colony.
An attempt was made 10 secure RobOtta, but the
man was surrounded quickly by crowd of excited
friends. many Of whom were women. Mr.. Blank,
with cnb IN bis hand, went forward with the po-
lioemen. In d moment sticks and stones began to
policemen. he order for charge was gwen by
ROuudsman McKenna, and the officers be-
gan 10 use their clubs. Moses Eidler, who
had previously threatened to kill ShattOck, ran
up behind Mr. Blank and struck him the head
with a stone. The blow inflicted a severe scalp
wound and knocked the superintendent down.
Ederwas felled TO the ground insensible moment
afterward By blows from polceman's club, A
wagon stood near and the unconscious
m 9Den RFGWn eaT nG Mr. Blank police to
look out for himself He fled into his office The
excited Hebrews hurled stones at the Office until
they broke all the windows Mr.. Blanks wife and
two little children were with him., They all fled
into dark bed room and barricaded
the door. ShattOck had taken refuge in
the building. Eidler carried 10 a hospital
Tor insane men on the westside of the island. Then
the police held consultation at distance from
the colony and decided to call for assistance Ed
Ter treated by the surgeons at the hospital and
l. was ascertained that his skull had not been
fractured. He suffered from conclusion of the
brain. however, and 1t was doubtful whether his
injuries were dangerous or not.
Soon after the fight with the police an indignation
meeting was held BY the refugees, and committee
was appointed to go TO the city and ask for the in
tervention OF the president of the Aid Society. NJ
W. Lubelski, Leon AronsOn and Arnold
KriyOln the members of the committee.
At the ferry the committee met James Hoffman and
NJ. Tuska members of the executive committee of
the society who after listening to an account of
the disturbance, wrote out and signed the following
order:
Mr. BLANK You are requested to send the police
away and set all men free You may 20 70 the police
BY order OF the Committee.
This document was served on Mr.. Blank by a
woman who managed TO get admission to the
chamber where the superintendent and bis family
were. lie wrote on the back of the order
Please let out the man." The police
when they informed Of the order
expressed an eagerness to leave the island at once
but Mr. Blank made his escape in the gathering
darkness 10 the insane asylum, and he declared that
they must remain and protect his property. His wife
and children esca ped by themselves; but the police
went To the office and took out Shattock. Soon
afterward dctachments of police from the Twelfth
and Twenty-third Precincts arrived and the police
boat Patrol with forty Of the HarbOr Police on
board, steamed up 10 the wharf On the west side Of
the island. Quiet had been restored