The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-12

| Third and Main streets said that the
| gang were formerly quite annoying TO
| she people In the neiRhborhood. and even
| now he frequently heard vigorous com
| plants on account OF the nuisance Ere
| quently am annoyed with mebcrs OF the
| gang blocking up the store entrance. Sit
| ting In the windows. ard. on one or
| two occasions. ! had to phone for an
officer. Sometimes the boys have rock
battles in the street. Not long since there
was a battle arranged between the Hobos
and the Oregon Hill gang. Members Of
the latter came over TO see how the land
Law They found policeman awaiting
them and the movement was abandoned.
Subsequently. few days ago. there was
a furious rock battle on Third street, just
below Main. 1t was at night. After the
battle had progressed quite while sew
eral pistol shots wound up the proceed
ings The neighbors were right much
alarmed.
Some few weeks ago there was bold
attack made on a colored preacher. said
Mr.. Chelf. II was during the snow. The
preachers silk hat was smashed 10 frag-
ments, and afterwards several of the
gang made an attack on the man, who
was holding one OF their members. They
beat him considerably. Several people
suggested that he phone for a policeman,
but he declined.
do the boys worry YOU / asked.
mo" said Mr.. Chelf, not much. I've
got them trained. People sometimes come
in and suggest that j phone for an Off
Ger; but, so long as they don't disturb
me, take no steps against them. hey've
been making IT hot for this Chinaman
next door for some time"
In conclusion. Mr.. Chelf said The
Times was giving the Hobos a much
needed object lesson, and he thought one
or two more vigorous articles like the
one which appeared in Sundays Times
would bring about the desired reform.
/ called upon Mr. John X. Cooke, Jr.,
at his place Of business. No. 2l9 east Main
street. yesterday and i'm reply to a ques-
ton as 10 the conduct of the Hobos he
said: They don't worry me personally,
except by congregating I'm front OF my
store at times, and blocking up the way.
| see they have been after Hop Lung
quite vigorously however. The China
man had 1t in for them, and caught them
all Just like The Times OF Friday stated.
You remember when they tried TO blow
I'D Hop Lung? Well. since then the
Chinman has had little peace. / hear
frequent complaints from some of the
residents in the neighborhood on account
Of the Hobo,s capers. They congregate
in this vicinity, and frequently bring re-
inforcement3 from other parts of the
city. II is a shifting gang. new acquisi-
tons being made from time to time"
UsfD TIE cITY's BncE.
Only a short time ago members of the
gang had a rock-battle with another sim
liar organization on Third street. There
were a large number Of bricks distributed
along the sidewalk for the purpose of
protecting the young trees. The belli-
gerants deliberately took the brick, broke
them into convenient pieces, and used
them for missiles. quite an expense to the
city, as well as a damage TO the young
trees.
Only a few days ago members of the
gang were seen standing on the south
east corner of Fourth and Franklin
streets and throwing pieces of soft mud
against the windows In the third story of
a residence across the street. The mud
when striking the window panes stuck
fast, making an uDsightly appearance.
The house in question is occupied as |
dwelling.
Whether the same gang have been |
operating in The West-End ] could not |
learn. Certainly II not the same, SINH |
lar organization Is making 1t disagree |
able for residents around Main and Beech |
Floyd ana Gdrk avenues, from LduItl |
out to Beech. and that vicinity, and |
number of complaints have come from |
that neighborhood. on the southeast cor
ner of Floyd avenue and Beech street is |
a handsome residence of three stories, |
which has for some time been unoccupied. |
The house is for rent, as a sign indicates. |
On the side and in the rear of the house |
every window pane has been literally |
perforated with stones and other missiles. |
There is not an unbroken pane in that |
part of the house, and some of those in |
the front portion of the house have Jared |
The damage will amount 10 |
some $50 or more. which the owner will |
have to pay simply TO have furnished
target for bad boys.
other houses in the West-End have
been similarly damaged Many instances
coull be cited where the organization
have been recknessy at work.
Justice Crutchfield says it Is not his
fault. Captain Angle says it is not the
'ault of the police. Who is TO blame?