The Washington times., 1894-09-04
MOBDED THE POLICEMAN
Officer Lynch Assailed by Six Hundred
Negroes At Schuetzen Park.
BRICKS AND STONES THROWN
He Attempted to:Arrest Man Who Had As
saulted Brightwood ConductOr-Passen-
gers On the Car Were Hit by the Missiles
Three Men Badly Hurt.

A desperate fight took place last evening
about O'Clock between Policeman Thomas
Lynch, of the Eighth precinct, and citizens
on the one side and mob of colored men Oh
the other, outside the grounds Of the Schuet-
zen Park.
The occasion of the gathering Of the mob
was the fact that Meridian and Widows Son
Lodges OF Masons, which are composed of
some OF the most respectable colored men in
Southeast Washington, gave picnic at Schuet-
zen Park. The attendance surpassed all ex-
pectations, over 5000 persons being present.
The committee on order, which comprised
forty-eight of the sturdiest members of
the two lodges, had determined 70 enforce
quiet and good behavior at all hazards. and
twenty-four rough fellows who. instead of
paying to go in by the gate jumped over the
fence at various times during the afternoon
were unceremoniously hustled out.
After being elected from the park, these
and number Of kindred spirits, who had
gone to the locality for the purpose of max
ing trouble. filled up on bad whisky, OBJ
tanned. it is said, from the saloons and speak
easies in the neighborhood and by O'Clock
they were ripe for mischief.
SOME ONE THREW BRICK.
There was no particular reason why it
should occur, but some one threw brick,
which struck Conductor shafer. of the
Brightwood Electric Line, in the back.
Shafer was nearly knocked from his car, and
Officer Lynch ran to his assistance
Immediately the fight was on. and bricks
and stones were rained like hail from the
crowd of rioters upon Policeman Lynch, the
passengers in the cars and almost every one
who was within sight, though fortunately
but few persons were struck. 1t was re-
ported that lady was hit by brick in the
face and that q male passenger was struck
by a stone, but their names could not be as
certained.
Policeman Lynch grabbed George Perry
and took him to the nearest patrol box and a
man who has not yet been arrested struck the
policeman on the arm and with the help Of
several others tried to release the prisoner.
A colored man named Smith rushed 70 the
help OF the officer and half a dozen Of the
mob fell on Smith and kicked him in a
shameful manner. Then Gripman ]. c..
Harmon OF the Fourteenth street cable line
went TO Policeman Lynch's assistance and
attempted TO hold Perry but almost instantly
he shared the fate Of Smith.
BY this time things looked so blue that
Officer Lynch fired his pistol In the air as a
signal that he needed aid. Detective Rhodes
heard the report, and ascertaining the cause
of the trouble, sent his son on horseback to
the Eighth precinct to report to Lieut.. Cess
ford.
POLICEMEN TO THE RELIEF.
The lieutenant, with Sergeant Jordan
and Policemen Greer, Potee. Curtis, and
Banett, jumped into the patrol wagon and
dashed at break-neek speed to the aid OF
Lynch.
On reaching the place the relief party
found Lynch, pistol in hand, keeping back a
crowd of 600 desperate men, and threatening
10 kill the first man who advanced on him
Lieut.. Gessford and his officers made an at
tack On the crowd and they were pressed
back. Policeman Lynch pointed out Wm.
Adams, Frank J. Dimmick and Charles Yates
as leaders in the assault upon him and they
were arrested and with Perry, whose arrest
by Lynch was made the cause of the melee,
were sent to the Eighth precinct station.
In the fracas, Perry received a painful
confusion on his head. Warrants for at
least six men who were prominent in the
fight will be issued to-day. Smith and
Hannah, who were badly hurt while trying 10
help officer Lynch, were sent TO their homes.
Smith lives on Stanton street near Sherman
avenue. and Hannah on Wallach street near
Sherman avenue.
The excitement during the progress Of the
fight was intense, and for about half an hour
the entire vicinity was terrorized.