Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-30
KNOCKED A CAR.
Stenographer Burke and Engineer
Ralph Sims Come to Blows.
THE FORMER MADE BITE THE DUST.
He Will Have Hearing Before Judge
Gripp, With His Antagonist.
APpELLATIoy OF CHUMP RESENTED

A "scrap" not devoid of amusing features
took place yesterday morning between John
Burke, the stenogrspher, and Ralph Sims,
the well-known civil engineer, employed by
the city. 1t occurred on a Fifth avenue
cable car, and had for its referee j. A.
Hardy, the Smithfeld street jeweler. The
three men were arrested and will have a
hearing this morning.
Mr.. Burke resides on Forbes street, be-
yond Magee, and Mr.. Sims lives in Oak
land. The latter boarded the car yesterday
loaded to the guards when he got on. He
accordingly squeezed himself on to the plat
form and did not complain about the
crowded condition of the car. Under the
circumstances some people would want the
whole platform, with a daily paper,
a lO-cent cigar and a shave, for
his cents, but Mr.. Sims was content with
his lot, and began to wonder how soon the
Duquesne Traction Company would begin
running cars, so as he could enjoy his ride
to and from the Office and his residence.
WHY HE GRUMBLED.
AT Stevenson street Mr.. Burke jumped on
the car, and by this time the latter was
crowded to the utmost limit, and Mr.. Burke
had to content himself with standing with
one foot on the bumper on the rear end of
the car. In few minutes he squeezed one
foot onto the platform of the car. and with
his body pointing to the four winds of
heaven, he managed to stick to the car, all
the while grumbling at the overcrowded con-
dition of the conveyance.
At Congress street some of the passengers
alighted from the car and Mr.. Burke
grappled for better hold. It was as hot
inside the car as a natural gas furnace, and
despite the proddiDgs from the conductor
nobody would "move forward" Mr.. Burke
wanted several passengers to go inside the
: car so as to allow him to get breathing
place to stand, but it was not their day to
move. Among the non-movers. was Mr..
Sims. who kicked against being pushed by
Mr.. Burke. The latter became ezasperated,
and by way of pleasantly, politely in
formed Mr.. Sims that he was a chump. The
engineer denied the allegation and dis
claimed any relationship to a chump, when
Mr.. Burke reiterated his remarks, saying
that Sims was two chumps. The plural
number was more than Mr.. Sims could stand,
and he retorted in like language.
KNOCKED FROM THE CAR.
This aroused Mr.. Burke's ire, and he
raised his right arm to smite Mr.. Sims
The latter hasn't been carrying poles and
chains all his life for nothing, and notwith-
standing the crowded condition of the car,
he swung around and planted a blow with
his fist on Mr.. Burke's mouth. The STEM
ographer keeled over and fell from the car
to the middle of the street On his back, while
the red fluid gushed from the cut in his
mouth. He pluckily jumped on the car
again after scrambling to his feet, and made
for his antagonist The conductor and
others interfered, and both men were separ-
ated
Burke remained on the car and came
down town. Upon reaching Smithfeld
street he ran over to the postoffice corner,
and, accosting Officer Charles Grimes,
wanted the latter to arrest Sims. The Off
Ger thought the proceeding unnecessary, and
did not want to do so. Burke persisted, and
the officer took the three men, Messrs.
Sims, Burke and Hardy, to the Central sta
ton Burke demanded that Sims be placed
behind the bars, but the officer refused his
request. Judge Gripp was present, and.
after hearing the case, bound the three men
over for hearing this morning. Mr..
Hardy had nothing to do with the case,
but was taken along as a witness,