The morning call., 1894-12-20
A STREET FRACAS.
The County Clerk-EIect
Takes a Hand.
John Riordon, an Ex- Has
His Nose Broken and His
Scalp Opened.

Charles F. Curry, the County Clerk
elect. figured 10 a fight on Larkin street.
opposite the new City Hall, about hali-pas 1T
O'Clock last evening. AS result of the
fight John Riordon, an ex-contractor, 65
years of age, living at McLea court, off
Ninth street. is stretched out on cot in
the Receiving Hospital with broken nose,
badly lacerated scalp and q sWelled
cheek.
Riordon's version Of the trouble differs
from that told by Curry's friends. He
said: 81 worked for Curry during cleo
ton, and for that he promised to give a
friend of mine position in his office. He
told me to get my friend to write out an
application and have it Endorsed by one of
the new Supervisors and ne would be the
first to get an appoint ment. [ folio wed
his instructions, and about week ago met
him on Larkin street and told him what
had been done. He denied making the
promise, and as he mad three friends With
him thought it wise to say nothing.
This evening | was on my way to a
friends house on Golden Gate avenue,
when met Curry and two of his friends
on LHrkin street. III front of the Fulton
House. l was going to pass him. when be
spoke to me. He said. Look here, R0r-
don, YOU are all wrong about that prom
ise.' | said. You made the promise, but
there's no use saying anything more
about it. Let US part and say nothing
more about it, He said, If you say L
made any such promise you are
liar
Il will allow no man. old as l am, to
call me that, so we made for each other
just then | was struck from behind on
the back of the head and knocked the
ground. Curry jumped on top of me.
pounded me with both hands and kicked
me in the ribs. One of his friends kicked
me, also: l begged them not to murder
me, but let me go. l got no and staggered
across the street. Curry followed me and
hit me on he bare head with the handle
of his um brella, knocking me down. Then
some one dragged me TO a doorway and
later took me TO the hospital
Il have lived in the city thirty-six
years and never had quarrel with any
man. Any one who knows me will tell
you that l AIN not drinking man, but a
peaceabe citizen"
One of Curry's two friends who were
with him at the time of the fracas said:
I'VE were on our way home and met
Riordon. He spoke to Curry and we
walked on a few steps. l was standing
with my back to Curry and Riordon when
heard the sound of a blow, and wheeling
round | saw Riordon with his umbrella
.uplifted and Curry looking daZed from the
blow. l ran forward to separate them
when RiordOn. turned upon my friend and
hit him with the handle of his umbrella.
Then he struck al Curry again and Curry
got the blow on his hand.
''RiOrdon backed across the street and
Curry followed him and hit him on the
head with the handle of his umbrella,
brrakIng it off. The handle was a gold
one and the umbrella was presented to him
by the Postoffice employees when he re-
signed his position.
Il don't know what passed between
Curry and Riordou before the latter struck
the first blow. Nobody kicked Rordon in
the ibis. 1t is possible my friend may
have struck him on The nose after being
hit with RiordOn's umbrella"
Curry could not be seen last night, but a
friend said he never promised RIordan an
appointment for his friend. Riordon, how
ever, pestered him for an appointment,
like many others.
Three ladies. who live in the Fulton
Hnuse-Mrs. Laura de Force Gordon, Mrs.
Knight and Mrs. Symms-witnesse the
fight and zorro borate Riordon's version of
1t. The two latter called at the hospital
and told Rordon they would Willingly ap-
pear in court aud give their testimony
Mrs. Gordon characterized the assault
upon RiOrdon as most brutal, and she
went downstairs and gave the men on the
walk, who stood idly by and witnessed
Ii, piece of her mind.