Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-01-21
LIFE IN HAZLETON.
One Days Record of Crime and Disorder
in the Would-be County Seat.

Lawlessness and disorder still reign
supreme in the new city, despite the
strenuous efforts put forth by its two
police officers to keep the criminally-
inclined inhabitants within the bounds
of the law. On Saturday and Sunday
sensation after sensation followed each
other in quick succession, and between
highway robberies, attempted murders,
fires and the danger of being dropped
into Pardee's mines the residents lived
life that the people of this town do
not envy, even though Freeland cannot
yet boast of city charter. Visitors to
the town on the other side the hill
should go there prepared to offer up their
lives as a sacrifice to HaZleton's ineffi-
clent police service, according to the fol-
lowing report of days doings, which is
taken from Mondays daily papers:
During the twenty-four hours begin
ming at P. M. Saturday, Hazeton ex-
perienced more forms of excitement
than at any previous time in its history.
The excitement really began at noon
Saturday when j. A. Seeley, the East
Broad Street baker, met Slovak on the
Jeanesville hill. Seeley was brought
home in an unconscious state, suffering
from ruptured blood vessel at the base
of his skull His assailant escaped, of
course.
David Bevan, of Milnesvile, was
stopped by two footpads outside the city
and terribly beaten. His watch and
money were taken. As might be eX-
pected there We're no arrests.
In the evening Constable Boyle and
Coal and Iron Policeman Cook had an
assault and battery warrant for Leonard
Colonisto, who was in an Italian board
ing house on Donegal Hill. Boyle tried
unsuccessfully TO force open the back
door. Cook got in the front door and
was thrown out by the Italians. The
whole special and regular force was then
called out, and nine Italians were arrest
ed while thirty-one escaped.
Later Lieut.. Ferry and a detail of po-
lice, failing to arrest a tough citizen
named Robinotz, were detied by three
Polanders on Wyoming Street After a
slight struggle these were arrested. The
station house was getting well-tilled by
this time with typical Hazetonians, but
the end was not yet.
Shortly before midnight detail of
special police went ON the jump to Har-
leigh, where gang was in fight,
Three had been stabbed before they
arrived. The injured were taken to the
hospital and two Poles arrested This
ended the blood and thunder part of the
programme.
About ?. NJ. Sunday night fire broke
out in Loughran's store on South Wyo-
ming Street. The fire plugs were frozen,
the engine was late in arriving and for
over half an hour the flames had their
own way. Loss, $4,000,
While this was going on Mann's block
on BIoad Street took fire and was partly
burned. The loss was about S6,5 500.
At the same time Francis Minzen-
berger's house on Chestnut Street caught
fire, but was extingulshed by the bucket
brigade. That ended the fire record.
The flames had scarcely been put out
when the cry came that a number of
houses were going down. There was a
rush for South Cedar Street, ana the
crowd began to grope around the snow
covered streets, looking at the gaping
cracks In the pavements and the falling
cellar walls. Fourteen houses were di-
rectly affected, which is as serious as
any that has occurred. Cedar Street
went down about four feet.
With such record Hazleton wants to
be county seat. Sublime audacity.