New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-24
TROUBLE AT THE BRIDGE.
A LIVELY ENCOUNTER AT NEWTOWN
CREEK.
SUPERVISORS AND DEPUTY sHERIFFs ATTEMPT
TO STOP LINEMEN FROM STRETCHING
MIRES-ONE OEEICER INJUKEp:

TO STOP LrNEMEN FROM STRETCHING
wIREs-oNE OFFICER INJURED.
There was a lively encounter between a posse OF
deputy sheriffs and o gang of lnemen employed py
the Brooklyn City Railroad Company at the en-
Of the bridge crossing Newtown Creek at
Grand-st into Queens County at an early hour
yesterday morning. The combat grew out OF the
railroad company insisting upon strnglng its wires
the bridge. that the line may be eX-
tended to Flushing, without permission from the
Board of Supervisors of either Kings or Queens
County.
While the joint committees of the two boards
in session Tuesday the brdgekeeper sent
a hurried message, announcing that the railroad
people had begun to tear up the foundation OF
the bridge preparatory to erecting poles and wires
Messengers sent to Sheriff Buttling. OF Kings
County. and Sheriff Norton. Of Queens County
asking that they send a posse OF men 10 the place
at once. An hour later a dozen or more deputies
were at the bridge. and the nemen were driven
away. Everything was quiet until yesterday morn
ing. when two wagons loaded with about forty
workmen arrived. The Supervisors had learned in
the course Of the day that another attempt would
be made that night. and were on hand with posse
of deputies by the sheriffs Of the two counties
Supervisors Williams mad Wright were early on
hand to direct the sherirs in Of trouble. 1t
was 10 ~ after midnight when the railroad em-
ployes arrived. AS they approached the entrance
TO the bridge Supervisor Wright shouted to the
men that the first one who stepped off the wagons
would be arrested. The workmen only laughed and
jeerel.
''Who are you?" shouted the foreman Of the gang.
81 am a Supervisor replied Mr.. Wright, "and
nothing can be done here unless you have
permit"
.Well we recognize no one" came back the an
swer.
The first man to jump from the wagon was James
McCiroarty son OF Fire Department district en-
gineer Deputy Sheriff Thel jumped forward at
the order OF the supervisor. and took MN INTO GUS
todv As he moving away with ms prisoner,
no was surrounded by the other vorkmen. VINO had
in the meantime Jumped from the wagons aho l9r
time il looked as though blood w0uld De sneu,
TO the ground. They were both hustled ABOUT III
lively manner when Supervisor Williams snouteed
to Thel to use his revolver Il necessaryS b, nan
aged to take his prisoner to the SlXth lreCihCt'
where he locked up , A..
The men then proceeded TO erect a pole, ana tns
two Supervisors ordered them TO desist. NO heec
was paid 10 this demand. and the supervisors put
their feet the pole and declined 10 move. CnIer
the direction OF the foreman Of the gang ihe
was formed and tho men In the rear pushed lot
ward and threw the Supervisors TO the Sround'
Supervisor Wright nearly crushed 10 dealh;
and when he attempted to gam MS leet loui,u u.
that hIs ankle was spraned He was assisted 10
his home 40. - Jcwel-st. Supervisor Williams es-
capped with n few bruises. 49,
The workmen managed to get possession OF the
bridge and completed their task IL Wts
found ater that the bridge had been so darl-
ayed that IL could not be moved, and Navigation
was impeded for several hours until the cogwheei
seventy-nve deputy sherlNs from Flushing. L.
/ appointed on a call issued by Sheriff Ho:ton OF
Queens County. went to the bridge at Iate hoLr
last night. The Grand-st. crossing ~ NeWtoWn
Greek guarded by large BODY, OF @ ien ,n S uS
there would be trouble. At late Honr TINS hoih-
ing however, there had been no clash