The herald., 1896-03-02
WITH CLUBS AND HAMMERS
Sunday Morning Fracas on South
Spring Street
IMMENSE CROWD GATHERS
Differences Over Lease Caused the
Trouble
ID. s. H:tchins, Ex-Humane Officer, Badly
Used Up-The Birrbaums Move Their
uoods Notwithstanding

on Spring street, near the corner of Fourth,
yesterday morning. For nearly thirty
minutes, with several intermissions of
wordy warfare, the conflict waged, and
clubs, screwdr;vers, hammers. shoguns
ana various effective weapons were welded
by infuriated women and men. That no
one was killed seems marvel, ar d to the
fact of murderous blow from hammer
glancing from his skull, instead of hitting
sqIarely in the center, y. s. Hutchins at
tributes the fact that he is alive today, in
stead of lying subject for the coroner.
The premises at $40 South Spring street
have been, until Saturday night. occupied
Jointly by Moorehead & Barre, sewing-na-
chine agents, and Mrs. Birnbaum, who
ran millinery store.
The lease of the premises was in the
name of Moorehead e Barre. who sublet
the south half of the store for the purpose
above named Some two months ago,
realizing that their lease expired with the
first of March, the sewing machine firm
renewed it for two years. At the same
time notice was served on Mrs. Birnbaum
that she would be expected TO vacate with
the last day of February. her term of ten
ancy lasting only until the expiration of
created some illsfeelng between the par
ties, and only intensified the machine
mems desire to get rid of the lady
Accordingly on Saturday preparations
| were begun by the Birnbaums to move out.
A partition had separated the store into
halves, and this Mrs. Birnbaum claimed
and had tom down. Her shelving. e'c.,
was also placed in readiness to
move, and by Saturday night all
was packed. During the dismant-
ling of her side of the store
il is claimed Mrs. Birnbaum had been un-
duly careless in tho manner in which the
shelving was removed, and that the wall
was consequently very much marred and
torn. 1t had been agreed among the diff
ferent parties that il Moorhead and Barre
would allow the lady's goods to remain in
the store over Saturday and Sunday she
would replace the damaged paper and
leave all i'll good condition when she de-
parted.
ID. 5. Hutchins appears in the case as the
friend and legal adviser of both Moorehead
and Barre, and one at whom Mrs. Birn-
baum had taken special umbrage on ac-
count of her fancying him the author of the
resolve to compel her to move. The fol.
lowing narrative of events is c;s related by
Mr.. Hutchins. and tells a story of SAN
culinary conflict seldom paralle!ed.
Shortly after S O'Clock Hutchins was
passing along Spring street when he saw
truck backed up in front of the store at
No. $40, and two negro truckmen and
almost the entire Birnbaum family engaged
in rapidly moving out. He entered the
store and found Mr.. Morehead, VINO was
on his way to Long Beach with his family.
bnt had dropped around to the place to see
that all was we'll. With him, and already
engaged in wordy controversy. were Mrs.
Birnbaum, her husband, who is n tailor,
the oldest son, who is about % years of
"a al q a
oldest daughter, a grown woman, and
! younger son. still youth.
| Moorehead was angry at the removal of
| the goods before the wall had been re-
paired. which the old lady claimed she was
doing. She had secured some odd pieces
of wall paper and was sticking them over
the torn places. This style of repairing
did not suit Morehead, who announced
that the showcase, which was the only
thing left in the store, should not be re-
moved until the wall was properly re-
paired. To enforce his words he stepped
to the door and closed it. At this junctire,
it is claimed. Mrs. Birnbaum approached
him and attempted to pull him from The
door, the other members of the family
gathering around in a threatening manner.
Hutchins, who was standing by, saw old
man Birnbaum start for Moorshead with
large Stilson wrench in his hand and inter-
cepted him and took the wrench from him.
AT this Mrs. Birnbaum transferred her at
tentions to him and, rushing at Hutchins
{ la we'd his face, slightly backing one eye,
aud scratching him up. llutchins pushed
her away. She made at him again, when
he again repulsed her with more force.
Mrs. Birnbaun stagg red back, shreking
HE hit me'' and Huchins was suddenly
nearly felled by blow back of the ear
from behind, aimed by the oldest boy.
He was almost stunned aud staggered,
while his assailant jumped at him and
forced him back over the top of roller
top desk. While in this position ard
tightly cinched, Hutchins claims the
daughter approached, her hands concealed
in the folds of her dress, and suddenly
produced a carpenters claw hammer and
struck him terrible blow over the head.
The stroke was repeated, the latter falling
on his shoulder. EXerting himself to his
utmost. Hutchins, almost blinded by the
blood streaming from his head. succeeded
in getting his assailant, the oldest son. to
the floor, and proceeded to pound him in
a most approved manner. The girl, SEEM
ing to be frightenened at her terrible act,
made her escape.
his release retired to the rear of the store
for repairs, Hutchins turned to look for
Morehead. He was surrounded by the
old man, his wife and The younger SON.
Moorehead had cash over one eye,
and Birnbaum was making energetic stabs
at MIN Win a scfeWurlVer. Wnle the youth
had procured stray piece of PM and
was making every effort to get in a telling
lick. Hutchins deprived the youth of his
weapon by breaking broomstick over his
head and he lost interest in the row.
Birnbaum, meanwhile, had discarded the
screwdriver for an iron crowbar about two
and half feet long which was used by
the expressmen in neving heavy weights
At this point, all parties being out of
wind, hosti!ities ceased and wordy wralg-
ling was INDUCED in. For fifteen minutes
compliments were exchanged while rest