The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-28
AN OAKLAND RAID.
Three Hundred Men Clear
Castro Street.
About O'clock Crowd Tears Down
New Fence Erected by the
Southern Pacific.

OAKL AND.-The fence-destroving ele-
ment was at work again last night, and six
panels of the new board fence recently
erected by the Southern Pacific Company
across Castro street lies piled up across
the way. crowd of nearly three hun
bred men tore it down by hItching a team
of horses to it and laying it low, a panel
at time. One man was injured in the
melee.
Tie trouble began shortly after O'Clock
last night. Word OF threatening demon
stration had been whispered to Waterman
Lawrence and he had telephoned the po-
lice authorities OF the rumor. At that time
no danger was felt and Captain Thatcher
simply answered Keep sharp lookout
and whistle for assistance il necessary"
At s 80 the crowd began gathering in the
neighborhoOd of the Pacific Coast Lumber
and Mill Company's place at Second and
Grove streets, and at 9 o'clock a whistle
was blown giving the signal to make the
attack. In obedience to the sign about
300 men rushed forward on to Waterman
Lawrence's territory armed with club or
two. few iron bars, chain and team
of horses
The attacking party was met by the
Waterman, who ordered them back, at the
same time warning them of the serious
consequences that would be sure to attend
any aggression on their part. His words
were answered with shouts of defiance and
the order tc proceed was repeated. Law
renee blew his whistle for assistance, but
no help came, and he was brushed aside
by the mob that streamed past him to the
hated fence.
There were four riDgleaders to the
crowd. The names of these men could
not be discovered, but Lawrence watched
shem carefully, and says he can spot them
on sight.
These four leaders ordered the horse
hitched 10 the gate. The direction was
complied with. whip cracked over the
horses and away they started, the mob
cheering loudly.
The chain broke at critical moment
and the same thing had to be repeated
This time there were men pulling on the
chain with the horses, and others showing
the big gate from behind. and with crash
| the posts broke even off with the ground
and the heavy panel fell forward.
As 1t fell it struck one of the company,
smashing his foot badly, and bruising his
| leg. He was carried 10 his home, which
was not far away, and the interrupted
work was pushed to finish.
The tactics that were applied to the
gate were repeated on each panel until the
| long stretch of fence that had blockaded
| the stree: had been torn down and hauled
| away 10 one side.
When this much was accomplished the
mob con sidered that it had done a good
work. did it we'll. and without further
parley dispersed. In very few momen Is
there was not SO much as one Of the crowd
lettering about the place.
The horses that were used last nigh
are said to belong to Kendall Brothers OF
the Pacific Coast Lum Der and Mill Com
pany. number of bystanders are posi-
| That dafI hn Lad ha l.
The great majority of the participants il
last nights destruction were longshOre
men and general rousabouts Of the water
front. 1t was certainly no gathering o.
representative citizens.
The police have oeen informed that The
trouble originated from conspiracy con
eocted by four or five men, who have been il
daily consultation at the st. Louis House a
First and Franklin streets. These few
have melted their more tractable associ
ates to action, and that action took tn,
form OF the demonstration at the foot o.
Castro street last night.