The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-12-07
ROW In AN ENGINE HOUSE
A "News" Reporter Looks for One
Fight, Finds Another.

Bridget Kiernan of No. 331 Warren
street complained to Fire Chief Con-
way this morning that Stoker Stephen
Davis of No. Engine waylaid her last
evening and struck her several times in
the face In reply to the Chiefs question
as to the cause of the assault she said
some nights ago Davis was in apartments
near hers, in No. 351. intoxicated. She
told him he haa better be at his post of
duty. This was the only cause the
woman could give for the assault.
A reporter of the JERSEY CITY NEWS
called at No. 331 Warren street this morn
ing, and while inquiring for Mrs. Kier-
man, who did not appear to be at home.
learned that row had taken place last
night in the tenement. Bridget Herman
floor. A Mrs. Welsh occu pies the rear
one adjoining. With Mrs. Welsh boards
Katie McDonough, a young woman who
works at Lorillard's factory.
Some woman attempted to wipe up the
dirty hallway with the McDonough girl.
The women in the house screamed "Mnr-
deri' A Mr.. Lynch, who occupies
apartments still further in the rear, be-
seeched by his wife to save the young
girl, rushed into the fight The Nc
Donough girl was pulled into the Herman
apartments, and Lynch was met at the
door by man, supposed to be Mrs kier-
mans husband, with an uplifted axe Mr..
Lynch retraated. Katiess hair was seat
tered in tufts all over the hallway floor.
The reporter next dropped into No. l
Engine House, next door, to see Ii Stoker
Davis took any part in the row.
As the reporter entered Engineer Dan
Donohue was excitedly ringing up Fire
Headquarters at the telephone. Angry
voices were heard above. "Send some
one down to No. Engine; men fighting"
shouted the engineer at the telephone.
A moment later stout man, who
proved to be Stoker Davis, came sliding
down the sliding rod, closely followed by
Buffalo Mike Carroll, of No. Engine.
with his face smeared with blood. "Tnis
is disgraceful,o shouted the engineer,
turning from the telephone. tits funny
men can't be sociable."
''I'll go as far to the front as you will
for this" angrily exclaimed Carroll,
shaking his head at Davis, and wiping
the block from his face.
A little war of words between the two
men was interrupted by the arrival of
Chief Conway, who sternly inquired the
cause of the trouble.
"Give me your badge and key" he said
to Davis. you'll stand suspended pend
ing trial. I'll not have such disgrace
full carrying on in houses in this depart
ment."
Davis courteously handed over his key,
but said he had lost his badge.
The chief next turned to Carroll. "Give
me your badge and key" he said.
II won't do it," angrily retorted Car
roll
Every well, then. You're suspended all
the same"
Both men were reticent as to the cause
of the trouble upstairs. Notwithstanding
the excitement of such scene as soon as
the Chief left, Davis. who has no appear
ance of tough or drinking character,
was calm and collected when The NEWS
reporter asked him the trouble.
''Oh, we only had a little spat upstairs,
and showed him."
''But what about the charge Bridget
Herman preferred against you to the
Chief this morningW
"What charge?"
1t was the first Davis had heard of it,
The reporter explained. Davis looked
surprised.
81 didn't lay my hands upon her.
There was row of some kind up stairs,
aud l, with a crowd, stood down at the
stoop listening, when the Kiernan woman
came rushing down stairs. She espied
me and commenced to abuse me. But
didn't touch her."
''As to being told by the woman one
night while in a friends apartments
above that ought TO he at my post, thu t
was Thanksgiving night, and 1 was off
duty"