Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-19
AN EVICTION RIOT.
Lively Contest for the Possession of a
Pierce Street Shanty.

An ORDER OF THE COURT FOLLOWED By A RATTLE
OF BRIcKBATs, AND THE ooMBATASrs ARE
TAKEN TO THE POLICE COURT. WHERE THE
STORY OF THE ENGAGEMENT Is REHEARsED.
The neighborhood of New Jersey avenue and
Pierce street northwest was in an uproar all
day yesterday, because of a dispute about the
ownership of an old shanty. II appears tina.
about twenty years ago, acolored man named
John Ware, leased lot Of ground on Pierce
street, near the corner of New Jersey avenue,
and erected house on it, and has lived there
ever since. His lease expired ten years ago,
since which time, it is alleged, Ware has not
paid rental Of the property. supposing he was
its lawful owner. Mr.. Alfred Beall, who keeps
grocery store at the corner of New Jersey
avenue and Pierce street, recently purchased
the property, and gave Ware notice
to move. Ware believing he was the
owner of the property declined 10 vacate.
decision Of the court declared Mr.. Beall TO be
the owner of the property. and he obtained an
order ejecting Ware from the premises, and
had it served on him Wednesday evening.
Ware showed no disposition 20 cause further
trouble, and Mr.. Beal expected TO obtsin quiet
possession of the property.
DEMoLIsHISG THE sHASTY.
In this. however. he was mistaken, for when
to find that Ware had gotten his household ef-
fects ready to move, but with the assistance of
other persons he was getting the house ready
TO take with him. The roof was on the ground
and the shanty was damaged beyond repair.
Mr.; Beall sent for his brother. Mr.. r. J. Beal.
and acting on the advice of the latter, Lieut.
nelly was appealed TO and Ware was arrested
on charge of destroying private property.
When Policeman Coghill made the arrest a
crowd OF excited negroes gathered in the
streets. They thought that Ware WAS being
badly treated, and many of them went to the
assistance OF the prisoner. The Bealls and
their assistants took possession of the property
ana Ware was taken TO the Police Court. Where
the attorney declined to entertain the charge
made against him.
WOMEN START FREE FIGHT.
In the meantime the female members of
Wares family returned to the premises, but
were refused admittance by Marshall E. Carrier,
Mr.. BealTs nephew. Mrs. Ware, il is alleged,
struck Carrier in the face. This started free
fight, and brickbats were sent flying through
the ar. Some one blew police whistle. which
attracted the officers to the scene. Before they
arrived a colored man named William Langster
was struck by brick and badly injured The
women succeeded in getting into the unroofed
house, and one of them was thrown over the
fence. Once more quiet was restored and dur
ing the afternoon Judge Bradley issued tenn
porary restraining order, enjoining Ware from
tearing down the house. Warrants were sworn
out on both sides. and the parties appeared in
the Police Court this morning.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE POLICE COURT.
Prosecuting Attorney Shillington declined to
entertain the charge of destroying private
property against Ware and the warrant was
nolle pressed.
George Coleman. colored. who was arrested
for throwing brickbats, was fined so or thirty
days.
Several other charges growing out of the
trouble were continued until tomorrow.
TO PREvEFT HIS TEARING DOWN THE HOUSE
Yesterday afternoon Leony NJ. Beall filed a
bill in equity to restrain John Ware from tear
ing down and removing house on lot 9, square
557. The bill was filed by Mr.. W. A. Cook, and
sets out the purchase of the house by COM
pla1nant in 1887. 1t alleges that defendant has
since lived i'll it, paying rent therefor. but
being in arrears, he has been notified to leave,
and is engaged in tearing down and removing
the building. He therefore asked an injunc-
ton, and Judge Bradley granted a temporary
restraining order.