New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-01
BOYS IN OPEN REBELLION.
A MINIATURE INsURRECTIoN AT RAN
DALLS ISLAND.
TWO HAD TO BE DRIVEN INTO AN INcLosURE
AND OVERAWED WITH REvOLvERS-ABOUT
FORTY STARTED TO DEFY THE
KEEPERS. BUT MOST OF THEM
DID NOT GO FAR.


DID NOT GO FAR
While the second division Of the boys in the
House of Refuge, Randalrs Island. numbering
$50. OF all ages and sizes. were engaged at play
at O'Clock yesterday afternoon. Herman Ber-
lin. eighteen years old, was guilty Of some in
fraction of the rules. and was taken into the
superintendents office by Keeper Frank Weiss
and reported for misconduct. As Weiss was
walking back to the playground. followed by
Berlin some one called out: Look out. he's got
a knife"
Weiss turned toward Berlin, who struck him
a violent fist blow and then made slash at
his throat with n knife. At the same instant
Berlin seized a baseball bat in his disengaged
hand. and fourishlng both knife and bat, de-
fed Weiss, at the same time shouting to the
other boys to come TO his assistance. jacob
Schmidt. seventeen years old. pal OF Berlin
went to his assistance. also armed with knife
and bat and Keeper Mcdonald went to the aid
OF Keeper Weiss
The two young rufiians nourshed their weap-
ons at the keepers. and were Joined in mo-
ment by about forty other boys. who presented
a defiant front. while others Of the boys began
to shower the keepers with missiles Of various
kinds.
Policeman Cottrell. who is detailed to duty on
keepers advanced upon the rebellious young
sters who slowly retreated. while the order was
given to the boys to fall in for parade.
Most of the boys obeyed the order and fell into
the ranks but Berlin and Schmidt with few
other boys fed and took refuge in another part
Of the inclosure from which they were driven
with difficulty Finally all the boys except
Schmidt and Berlin fell into the ranks These
two faced the policeman and keepers with the
greatest determination, declaring that they
would die before they would surrender. and they
retreated from one pCint Of vantage to another,
keeping their pursuers at bay.
Meantime aid had been asked from the East
One hundred and twenty -sxth-st. police station
by telephone and Policeman George Lavander
went over to the island. After Lavenders ar
rival on the scene he and Policeman Cottreii
determined TO capture the young rufiians at all
hazards, and drawing their clubs and revol-
vers advanced upon them. The boys were In
small inclosure. from which there was no es-
cape. but still they would not surrender. The
policemen advanced toward them. and, when
close at hand. fired two shots, taking care TO
send their bullets wide Of the mark. This over
awed the boys and they threw down their
knives and bats and surrendered
They were then handcufed together and taken
direct TO the Harlem Court and arraigned be-
fore Magistrate Deuel.. Complaints were made
against them by the keepers, and they were
held In 500 bail each for trial at the Special
Sessions
Berlin whose father lives at No. 1874 Mott-st..
was sent 10 the House Of Refuge nineteen
months ego for larceny. and Schmidt was sent
there four months ago for the same offence
Both are considered dangerous characters Po-
liceman Cottrsll and the keepers think that
there was plot among the boys Tor an out
break and thai Berlin and Schmidt were 70
create disorder. signal, but It is thought
that the other boys hearts failed when the
emergency arose. There was no disorder among
the boys at the House Of Refuge after Berlin
and Schmidt were overcome and taken away