Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-11
A LIVELY RACKET.
A COLORED DANCE At BEETHOVEN HALL
WINDS UP IN A MUSS.
Officer Creighton Has q Hot Tussle With VIII
BrOwn-A General Melee Ensues - officers
Gaps and Euch Arrive On The Scene.

One of the toughest balls of the sea-
son-tough mall that the word implies
took place last night at Beethoven Hall.
1t was given by a colored organization
known as the "Big ~ and it was rocky
in the extreme. 1t was regular pam
demonium for five or six hours. Such
was the discordant racket that
YOU could hear the noise
even up on Market street. There was
no style, no order, no system-no moth
ing. The ghost dance given last winter
at Turner Hall was not a circumstance
compared to it. There were very few
of the really reputable colored
people present. The gang was
largely made up of the colored inmates
of the houses of ill-fame, and full OF
beer and whisky as they were-imagine
the scene. Faust in all his con-
ceptions rarely did better. 1t
was nothing short of a bachana-
liam reve OF the worst order. Bee
thoven Hail is located on the corner
of Main and Fourteenth street, and be-
ing so central the noises were readily
heard on Main and Market, and at varl-
Gus times during the evening people
passing in the neighborhood, thinking
there was a riot going on, clamoered
up the stairs TO see the
gore fly. Music was furnished
by dapper darkey who punched the
piano keys as mechanically as any one
would run a tread mill. The dancers
managed to maintain their equilibrium,
however, until nearly midnight, despite
the noise and general confusion
that prevailed. The fellow
who acted as master OF
ceremonies had voice on him, like a
fog horn, and the vigorous way in which
the beer-laden darkies brought their
feet down, made the old floor creak
and groan and buckle and bend. The
beer supply gave out early, and cou-
pie of fellows hustled down Marketstreet
and brought up two more kegs. They
swilled the beer almost inceSSantly.
But shortly after night-then the
war was on. Officer Creighton was on
the scene, and orders were given TO
bounce any Objectionable characters.
Ten minutes later one besoaked dar-
KEY was led 10 the slaughter. About
half-paSt one this morning the climax
came. A darkey by the name OF Dave
Grant insu.ted the wife of viii Brown
while all were standing in q group out
by the bar This was more than Brown
could stand. He made a vigorous lunge
at Grant, and for few minutes
things looked desperate. Officer Crelgh-
ton, who at that time was the only oiii-
Ger on the floor, Immediately made a
grab for Brown, and caught him around
the collar. Now Brown is big, burly
fellow and of considerable strength, and
he had Just about enough beer IN
him not TO care for anyone on
earth. He resisted the officer, he
fought, he pulled, kicked aud jerked,
at the same time filing the air with
profanity. Some of the fellows seemed
disposed to take Browns part, and this
together with the general resistance
gave Creighton about all he could COM
fortaby handle.
Brown fell to the floor two or three
times, but Immediately arose and re-
newed his attacks, and the officer had
to nearly encircle the hall before he
reached the door. No sooner had he
gotten out in the entry than the fellow
made savage plunge back into the
room, dragging Creighton after him.
There came general melee, In which
Brown was thrown heavily up against
the side Of the hall, and the darkieS
rushed in and began 10 take sides, the
women at the same time screeching
and swearing. 1t looked like general
riot. Blows were exchanged right
and left on all sides, and during
the fight Officer Creighton got bad
scar on his left forehead. The darkey
who was managing the ball, a hot
headed sort Of fellow, ran for a mallet
behind the bar, and came out and be-
gan using it vigorously upon anyone
upon whom it might fall. Three fell
lows soon grabbed him, however, and
pinioned his arms. Officer Creighton
worked nobly and accomplished re-
markable results, considering he was
empty handed. it was the hottest
fight seen at ball for many day.
Finally Officer Creighton got
his man Brown out into the
entry where he held him
until Officer Buch and Lieut.. GauS ar
rived. Lieut.. GauSgave orders to imme-
diately stop the dancing and close up
the hall. This was protested by the
darkieS, and another circus ensued be-
fore the hall was finally closed But
Lieut.. Gaus' orders prevailed, and
all piled out. Will Brown aud Buck
TAYLOR were taken TO the lookup, but
Dave Grant was not captured.
1t was intended to have cake-walk
later in the night, but the gentle reader
will see why it was deferred.