The evening world., 1891-07-18
edition.
ITALIANS MAD WITH HUNGER.
Dobbs Ferry Held in Terror by a
Gang Of Starving Laborers.
A Bloody Riot Only Averted by the
Tact of Ladies.

ESPECIAL TO THE EVENING wonLD.l
DoBRs FERRY, n. Y. July 1S.-The half
starved italian laborers, who have been hold
ing the villagers In state OF fear and trem-
bling, are being furnished money to get out
OF town.
Most OF them have left, but about firty re-
main, and It Is hoped that these will leave
to-day.
The whole trouble arose through the failure
OF contractors to pay their laborers.
About two months ago the Dobbs Ferry
Land and Improvement Company purchased
the Courtlandt Palmer estate, near this vii
lage, and laid the land out into building lots
and streets. Andrew &. Field and Assembly,
man Charles p. McClelland are the principal
officers Of the Company.
big gang Of Italians were employed By
Cleggs Richards, contractors, to work In
grading the land. The Italians were shell
tered IN shanties and subsisted for a time on
stale beer and bread.
They waited in vain for their money, and
were put on from time TO time with promises
from the contractors.
The contractors disappeared when the men
became clamorous. This made them desperate
and they threatened TO blow up the house OF
c. French whore the contractors boarded.
Mr.. French became SO alarmed that he
moved his family out OF the house.
The last two days have been times OF terror
and excitement here. That bloody riot was
imminent no one doubted. but an outbreak
was prevented through the tact and good
Judgment OF the ladies OF the village.
When the FIRST murmefs OF discomfort were
heard several special policeman were sworn
IN. ihey patrolled the streets heavily armed
| md m Iv YaH
| the trouble.
The Italians said It was injustice enough to
De cheated out OF their money without being
placed in danger OF being shot down for de-
| manding IL.
There were ESQ of the Italians and only
hahulul OF the OHlCers In an encounter with
an angry MOB the Inter would have been
| wOrBted.
The men had neither money nor food. The
ladies' o1 inc village saw that the situation
| was serious. They concluded that II hunger
were stilled the wrath OF the men would be
| appeased also.
fsey acted at once and sent several hun
dred loayes OF bread and money TO buy other
food to the camp OF the Italians.
| won the day.
The ladies who are entitled to the credit
for this bloodless victory are: Mrs. Gen.
Thomas, Mrs. stone, niece OF Cyrus Field;
MIS-; Walston II. Brown, a daughter Of Col
| Tho men had not received a cent OF money
for six weeks. Their work was 70 have been
| completed about Two weeks ago. They were
promised money from day to day, but it never
| came.
When starvation was threatened the men
made demonstration which frightened the
| villagers.
With outstretched arms they shouted:
Want money or work. We're starving"
| The contractors told their employees that
they had some trouble with the Land Com
pany and could not get their money. Richards
| LEFT here last Wednesday, saying he was
going 10 New York for money to pay the men.
| He has not been seen since.
| Yesterday some OF the American laborers
| filed liens for their wages against the Lana
| Improvement Company property
| william Ely, lawyer from Tarrytown.
kindly undertook TO collect the claims.
| He had the trouble OF going to the Com
pany's once and effecting prompt settle
ment, for which this Tarrytown philanthro-
| pist demanded, II Is alleged, from 90 10 80
per cent. commission, according TO the amount
| OF the claim In each instance.
All of these claims were paid at the village
bank to-day
The Italians placed their claims In the
hands OF another attorney, and they were told
that they would be paid Monday In New
| York.
| man familiar with the Affairs OF the Land
| Improvement Company said that the trouble
was caused by the contractors, who demanded
more money than was due TO them, and that
| the Company withheld payment pending Q
settlement OF the dispute.