New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-02

IMOST 4 RIOT N MIDWAY PLAlSANCE.
COLUMBIAN GUARDS Use BIIILFs sLuNGsHoTs
AND SWORDS on VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES
oil, TIL. EIprIs WHEEL. COMPANY

AND SWORDS on VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES
OF THE FERRIS WHEEL COMPANY
Chicago Nov. l.-Rcsistancc TO the Midway clos
ing order by the Ferris Wheel Company led TO
free fights and numerous arrests outside the wheel
Gates to-day The trouble began when Columbian
Guards tried to stop the sale Of tickets to visitors
At first the force OF guards was not strong enough
10 interrupt the company's operations ana admis-
sion OF patrons In the regular way. but AT lo.3o
o'clock renforcemcnts arrived. and the guards
formed a Gordon around the ticket offices and kept
visitors off the platform for a time. \ crowd Of
people who wanted to ride In the wheel gathered
In front Of the guards and broke through the lines
AT weak points. AZ soon as they set foot on the
platforms they were safe, because that was the
companys property Patrons were let in by cm>
ployes of the company wherever there was room
IN soueczc through tho favoritc place being the
ofbce door OF Superintendent Rice. This entrance
was barred at o'clock BY guards who Invited a
riot by attempting to clear the people from the
west side OF the wheel Colonel w. Rollins was
The first wheel empoye 10 be arrested. visitor
got on the platform and bought ticket from
Rollins, who was carried on to the guard house
but was there released.
In another hour. immense number Of people
had gathered and the guards as well as the ex-
position company were roundly abused. Men and
women made rush for the platform At inter
yals and the guards tried to pull them back. while
the Ferris men, the number OF 1fy pulled the
patrons under the turnstilcs into the incosure
where the admission fee collected Many OF
the visitors pulled and hauled around In
way 10 arouse the crowd 10 assume a threatening
.ttitude. and the force Of guards increased.
The fight Of the day occurred in front OF the
Superintcndcnts Office. Guards without orders were
standing on the PLATFORM and dehcd tho special
Ferris policemen 10 put them of. chief Engineer
Charles Kreider pushed one Of the guards off the
platform. The guards seized Krcid"r 10 drag him
10 the guard house. j. H. Hunter. the company's
electrician. pulled off his coat and jumped into
the thckest Of the melee hitting out right and
Kreider away from his captors. and The
crowd assisted him. Guards drew blles
rescuers back. KreIder was hit over the head with
n billy and Hunter received cut In the face Fist
blows were freely exchanged. but Kredcr was led
away "A prisoner He returned a free man soon
however Word OF the trouble was sent to the
nearest police station. and squad of officers in
uniform and civilian dress came the scene. \
OF the platform, but the officer pulled his revolver
and threatened to shoot If the guard did not keep
his hands of. The police officers then arrested the
guard. amid the cheers and iibes Of thousands So
il continued with more or less exciting episodes
iii the wheel closed for the night.
President Ferris. who arrived AT the wheel late
said: 1--WE have a contract with the Exposition
company giving us exclusive control OF the grounds
slxty days after November 30 next we can keep
v,e please 1t Is none of the Expostion's business
whatever We have bond OF 5000 to forfeit II
viii take us only thirty days to do IT, we have
refused pay $1,000 to the Exposition. being
their share Of the receipts for the last two weeks,
becaus, of a claim for damages we have against
,bcm You can say positively that the Ferris
wheel will continue TO turn until November 20
from & A. m. to 10 D. m, guards or no guards and
nen 1ro,n' II the Exposition Company closes the gates
Of the park. An Injunction will be applied for
shortly. , so,, -
would be refused admission on their passes to-
morrow.