Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-02
BATTLE ON THE MIDWAY.
A Forcible Attempt to Stop the Bi,
Ferris Wheel at the Fair

A Forcfble Attempt to Stop the Big
Ferris Wheel at the Fair.
Resistance to the Midway Plaisance at the
chicago fair closing by the Ferris wheel led
10 exciting scenes. free fighting. q small
riot and numerous arrests outside the wheel
gates yesterday. The trouble began when
the worlds fair guards tried to stop the
sale of tickets to visitors.
Al nrst the force of guards was NOT
strong enough TO interrupt the company's
operations and admission of patrons in the
regular way, but at half past ten O'Clock re-
Inducements arrived. In command OF Col.
hice, who ordered his men to form a Gordon
around the ticket Office and keep yisitors
on the platform. which was done for a time.
A crowd OF people. who wanted to ride in
the wheel. many Of them having paid nfty
cents at the exposition gates for that pur-
pose only. gathered In front OF the qua rds
and broke through the lines at weak points.
AS soon as they set foot on the platforms
they were safe. because this was the COM
pany's property.
Patrons were let in by employees OF the
company wherever there was room to
squeeze through, the favorite place being
the ONCE door OF Superintendent Rice. This
entrance was barred at O'Clock by guards.
people from the west side of the wheel
Col W. Rollins was the first wheel er,n,ov.
70 De arrested. A visitor got on the plat
FORM and bought a ticket from Roiiins who
was carried on to the guard house Satper-
in.enaeht Rice rode on the patrol wagon
Win the prisoner. who was taken before the
ofncer OF the day. Nothing was done In the
case. and, when Rollins returned TO the
scene OF action, he was given q great re-
ception.
Rush for the Platform.
In an hour an immense number OF people
mao gathered. and the guards. as well az the
exposition company. were roundly abused.
Men and women made a rush for the plat
form at intervals and the guards tried TO
pun them back. while the Ferris men. to the
number of fifty. pulled the patrons under
the turnstiles into the Enclosure. where the
admission fee was collected Several visit
ors who were caught in the act of making
break for the platforms were given a ride in
the patrol wagons and then discharged.
some were pulled and hauled around in n
way 10 arouse the crowd TO assume q threat
ening attitude. and the force OF guards was
Increased.
a riotous demonstration, occurred in front
OF the superintendent Office Guards with
out orders were standing on the platfoYrn
ana dehed the special Ferris policeman TO
- shSii oiA- Nulcl Engineer Charles kret-
Der pushed one Of the guards on the plat
form. ana was pulled into the midst of
guards and visitors.
The hight began when the guards seized
hrelder TO drag him TO the guard house
). n: Hunter, the company's electrician.
pulled on his coat and jumped into the
thickest of the melee. hitting out rirf1t ana
left at the guards. He tried to get Kreider
away from his captors. and the crowd as
sisted him. but there was no Organized plan
OF attack.
Billies ana slungshots.
Guards drew billies. slune shots ana
swords and forced the would-be rescuers
back kreider was hit over the head with
a billy, and Hunter received a cut IN the
face. Fist blows were freely exchanged. but
kreider was led away q prisoner. He re-
turned free man soon, however Word OF
the trouble was sent to the nearest police
station. and a squad OF officers. In uniform
and civilian dress. came upon the scene.
b. c. Strong. a guard, attempted TO keen
one OF the city detectives on the platform.
but he regretted it
The officer pulled his revolver ana threat
ened to shoot IL the guard did not keep his
hands on. Then the police officers pounced
on the guard and bore him on to the sta
ton, amid the cheers and Jibes OF thous-
ands. So IT continued. with more or lsss
eNciting episodes. until the wheel closed for
the night.
Ferris Full of Fight.
President Ferris. who arrived at the wheel
late, said: I'VE have a contract with the
exposition company, giving us exclusively
control Of the grounds sixty days after No
vember 3oth next We can keep on carry
Ing passengers or tear down the plant as we
please. 1t is none of the exposition's busi-
ness whatever We have a bond of SIS 600 TO
forfeit IL We don't remove the plant by that
time, and 1t will take us only thirty days to
do It, I don't know what animus IL behind
THIS shameful outrage on our rights and the
rights OF visitors except that We have re-
fused to pay $1,000 to the exposition, being
their share Of the receipts of the last two
weeks, because Of q claim for damages we
have against them. You can say positively
that the Ferris wheel will continue TO turn
until November 20 from s a. m. to 10 .. m,
guards or no guards. and even IL the expo
sition company closes the gates OF the
park.
AN Injunction was not applied for today,
but may be shortly. We have a better way
than that 1t is a shame. and an outrage,
for the exposition company to close the fair
this way. call IT little short OF a sacriiege.
1t Is like a desecrated graveyard today"
The Ferris people received word last night
that they would be refused admission on
their passes today. but the wheel viii turn
just the same.