Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-19
THE SAN DIEGO RIOT.
CAPTAIN TARBLE TALKS ABOUT
THE MATTER.
The Mayor of San Diego Prevented the
Chief of Police From Acting in the
Matter-Captain Tarble's Interview.

CAPTAIN Myron F. Tarble deputy
United States marshal, yesterday talked
to HERALD reporter about the unfor-
tunate fight between sailors OF the
Charleston and some San Diegans last
week, which resulted in the death of one
of the sailors. The captain of the
Charleston it appears had sent notice
to the chief of police asking him to
arrest all drunken sailors, but the mayor
would not allow the request to be
granted. The result was the death of a
man and disgraceful riot. Captain
Tarble spoke as follows about the
matter:
''On Tuesday last 1 arrived in San
Diego at IL 80 p. M, and went directly
to the Office of Chief Of Police Crawford to
make inquiries concerning a party for
whom had a warrant.
Il had just commenced inquiries
when telephone came to the chief,
saying that fight was in progress be-
tween sailors and deputy marshals.
Chief Crawford stated this to me. and
thinking some of the deputies might be
in San Diego unbeknown to me, took
my six shooter and handouts from my
grip sack and jumped into the chiefs
buggy and drove with him down Third
street to I street, thence to corner of l
and Fifth streets, where we could see a
crowd of people, in the midst of which
were twelve or fifteen sailors and six
or seven men in citizen dress fighting
like demons with clubs aud sticks OF
all kinds, and the 'longshoremen and
others in the crowd cheering the sailors
and urging them on in their fight with
the men who were trying to arrest some
of them.
"On the way to the scene of the
action Chief Crawford informed me,
upon inquiry, that the deputy in charge
of the posse, was a man named Breed
love.
II Immediately said there is no such
deputy United States marshals, and
feeling sure of that fact, l said
to the chief, shall not
interfere in this business at all,
some one entirely outside of our office
has started in to put these men aboard
ship, and when the mayor of San Diego
will not allow the police to suppress an
open running fight on the streets, 1
don't see why should mix up in it.
The sailors had got the best OF their
opponents just as we arrived at Fifth
street and with curses and exultant
shouts were starting for the saloons in
Stingaree town. l rode back to police
headquarters with the chief, and pro-
ceeded about the business that called
me to San Diego. At about p. m. 1
learned of the death of one of the sail
ors, and having been requested by GER
tain parties to organize posse and put
the Charleston sailors aboard ship, be-
cause my authority as a deputy United
States marshal wouli be recognized, 1
telegraphed the situation to Marshal
Gard and told him l should decline to
interfere except upon direct orders from
him. Not receiving any orders knew
that was right, and 30 attended to my
own business and returned to Los An
geles Wednesday morning, with the
party whom arrested on warrant is
sued by United States Commissioner
Van Dyke.
81 saw very courteous written re-
quest from Captain Remy to the chief
Of police, to have all drunken sailors ar
rested and detained in the city jail till
sober enough to be taken aboard ship.
The chief informed me that the mayor
would not permit him to interfere with
the sailors"