The Portland daily press., 1893-08-17
NOT A DAGO DISMlYED.
Flashed Their Pick Axes Bare, ShOy-
els We're Waved in Air,
CHARGING ON HOSE PIPES THERE,
AND THE CROWD WONDERED.

Theirs Not to Reason why-The Italians
Simply Sailed in, Broke Heads and
Smashed Windows at the Battle of
Abington-That Great Conflict Grew
Out of Row Over Railroad Crossing.
North Abingdon. Mass, August 16.-
The laying of a new electric railroad in
this town has caused conflict with the
New York and New Haven and Consoli-
dated railroads, and today there was a
pitched battle in the streets. This
morning the selectmen gave orders to the
officials of the New York and New Hav-
ell railroad to take up blind track they
had laid during the fight with the cleo
trio road, or the town would take it up.
Open hostilities ceased, and the officials
of the electric road and counsel went to
Boston to apply for an injunction to re-
strain the Consolidated people from pre-
venting them from laying rails across the
crossing at North avenue. Gangs of men
of the Consolidated road were kept at a
short distance from the crossing, ready
to block any more electric people, Supt.
pduUOIu udu CLdIS0 VI tu0 railroad
forces. At about l o'clock, fully 5000
people were present, when Supt. San
born told Roadmaster Bryant to carry
out his orders. Bryant called the men
up and they came with shovels, picks,
axes, crowbars, ETC., and began tearing
up so much of the electric roads tracks
as projected from Railroad avenue to
the tracks of the Consolidated Road
Commissioner Wright warned Supt.
Sanborn against touching any paving or
track on the public highway.
As the Consolidated men began work,
officers attempted to arrest some of the
men. The Italians rushed in force upon
the officers and citizens. Shovels and
pick axes were used freely and the
Italians drove the citizens down Fifth
avenue. The fire alarm was rung and
hose 2 turned out and putting two
streams on, drove the Italians back.
Rocks flew in every direction and hun
dreds of dollars worth of plate glass was
smashed. Not only those engaged in
the battle but several spectators were in
jured.
Among those knocked down were
Superintendent Sanborn. In the fight
Inspector Bailey and Roadmaster
Bryant were arrested and locked up.
The Italians got the best of the unor-
ganized force. They cut the hose in
pieces and broke the nozzles. A truce
was then declared, Superintendent San
born calling off his men. A large posse
of officers came from Boston on the
afternoon train and also President Reed
of the electric road and Judge Kelley
with the injunction granted by Judge
Barker, of the Supreme Court. The pa
pers were served on Superintendent
Sanhorn and he sent his men to the
trains and gave up the fight. President
Reed gave Contractor Barnes orders
lay the electric tracks, and work began
ats A deputy sheriff read the riot act
to the crowd, and most of them dispers-
ed after seeing that the electric road had
won. Officer Hollis later served a war
rant upon Superintendent Sanborn and
locked him up. Mr.. Sanborn was later
bailed out, with Bailey and Bryant,
director of the electric road going
bail. 1t is estimated that the damage to
plate glass is above $1,000. No fatalities
are reported, although number were
quite seriously hurt, some being shot