Omaha daily bee., 1888-06-21
A SMALL RIOT.
Pistols Drawn, Links Thrown an
Clubs Used.

The presence of the Plnkerton men came
near resulting seriously yesterday at the
Tenth street crossing Of the Union Pacific
tracks. For a time it appeared as though
there would be blood shed, but one police
man, Officer Robbins, quelled the riot. As
is usual there are two sides to all questions,
and in order TO give each party n fair show,
the testimony of both are printed.
About Z o'clock in the morning, according to
the testimony of a gentleman named Smith,
who is n guest at the st. mn hotel, a young
man was standing on the walk across the
tracks apparently thinking of something.
The Pinkerton men, two abreast, were
marching from their boarding house and
when they arrived at the point where the
young man was standing it is said that Ser
geant Shelly, the commander of the
squad, deliberately showed him off
the walk. To this the young man
entered a vigorous protest, whereupon the
Plnkies drew their clubs and threatened to
annihilate him. The young man still pro-
tested and was backed up against a flag
shanty and struck with "a club. BY this tune
the yardmen in the Union Pacific and several
citizens fockcd to the scene and armed them
selves with coupling pins and announced
their intention of wiping out the Pinkertons,
who then drew their revolvers. What the
outcome might have been no one knows, but
al unlS 1unCJurcO IlCcI lpODDlnS appeared anu
drawing his revolver ordered the Pinkerton
men away. They then sneaked.
The above is the story told by the outside
parties, and much of it is corroborated by the
police. Now comes Captain Foley of the
Pinkertons and states that his men under
down Tenth street, and when at the point in
dicated they were encountered by some of
the Union Pacific employees, who began hurl-
ing all manner of vile epithets at them. To
tIig ,,n11Atr 80 nl,,ca thn moon ,NrAtH1tAl
in a wild manner and received in reply an
other large hunk of abuse. BY this time u
crowd had collected and Billy East, an en-
ploye of the Union Pacific, is said to have
drawn a revolver at the sight of which the
Pinkertons formed themselves into n hollow
square, drew their clubs and guns and pre-
pared for q siege when Officer Robbins, Of
the police force, and Captain O'Connors came
up. The latter ordered his men to work and
the former dispersed the crowd.
One of the Piniertons claims to have been
hit with n piece of iron and one Of the others
asserts that he was hit with a club.
The above comprises the statements of
both sides. Who is TO blame cannot be de-
cided but from all reports it would appear
that the Pinkerton men acted rather hasty to
say the least. The young man mentioned is
not a railroader, in fact he IS a plasterer
from Council Bluffs. He had as much
right in the walk as any living man, and no
one, not even a police officer, should modest
him.
The police say that the Pinkertons were
to blame. Citizens, not railroad men, having
no connection with the affair, corrobOrate
this statement. The Pinkertons say they
were not. One thing is certain. The men
are somewhat excited, and there is trouble
brewing. The very presence of the PInker-
tons incite those who would otherwise be
peaceful to deeds which would not other
wise be committed. Personally the officers
and men of the Piukertons are pleasant, So
ciablc and very agreeable fellows. No one
who knows Foley would believe that he
would sanction any unwarranted proceed
ings on the part of his men.
All agree that the Plnkertons are not
needed. No trouble arises except when they
are present.
DR.. McGrew, kidney, Rectal, & priv
ate diseases. Room -, Bushman block
Shetland pony for sale by George A.
Keeliue, Council Bluffs.