The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-25
RazOrs and StilettOs Used In This Dive
Maintained by One of Mayor Tag
CARTS "Best Residents"
JOSEPH CARUSO'S INJURIES
ONLY ONE OF THE ROYSTERERS
TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.
This "Unfenced-In," "Home-Lilxe
Place" Within a Few Feet of
Prominent Church.

A desperate cutting affray occurred In
the garden attached to A. Rosasco's saloon.
1913 new number) North New Jersey street,
just south of Morton Place, between sand
6 O'Clock last evening At least six men
were more or less seriously injured, Joseph
Caruso, OF (new) AGA South East street, so
badly that he had to be removed to the City
Hospital. His upper lip was almost severed
and there were numerous wounds his
body, two long gashes being cut in either
leg from the hips to the knees. His
brother. Angel Caruso, had his left thumb
almost severed. The police were informed
that Joseph Palma, a fruit dealer at the
corner OF Delaware street and Massachu-
sets avenue, Braso Scialaba, living on
Court street just east of Alabama street
Joseph Larosa, of 160 Virginia avenue, and
Ignazio Caruso, living on South East street
with his brothers, were also wounded in
the hand-to-hand encounter in which the
six men engaged. After the ARRAY most Of
the participants fed Angel Caruso re-
manned beside his brother, who lay on the
ground in the garden bleeding frightfully
when DR.. Marker, Of the City Dispensary
arrived. DIR. Marker determined to take
the injured man to the City Hospital, where
his numerous wounds were dressed. His
brother Angel was arrested, but deposited
cash bail and was released. The police be-
gan search for the other four men, but
found 1t difficult to get information as to
their whereabouts.
This disgraceful Sunday brawl that al
most ended in a murder occurred in one
Of the quiet and most respectable residence
neighborhoods of the city, and is directly
traceable to the wide open" policy Mayor
Taggart permits to reign. The saloon is a.
few hundred feet from one of the most
prominent churches, the Fourth Presby-
terrain, is in the midst of section of the
city devoted almost exclusively to homes.
People living near by say that the law is
VIGOROUSLY violated and that frequent dis
turbances occur. The trouble yesterday oc-
Cured over a game somewhat resembling
ten pins, which the men were playing in
RosaSco's garden. All afternoon from fifty
to one hundred men had been present
drinking. playing ten pins or looking on.
What started the trouble is not known, but
Angel Caruso informed bike cops" Holtz
and Wallace, with the aid of an interpreter
that his brother Joseph and Braso Scialaba
quarreled. and that the latter drew razor
and attacked Joseph Caruso. In an instant
there was the widest excitement in the
garden. Angel Caruso says that he and
Ignazio Caruso, to defend their brother
were drawn into the fight. Then, he said
Joseph Larosa and Joseph Palma took sides
with Scialaba- The six men were fighting
in a heap. striking out blindly with knives,
razors and stilletos. The spectators be-
came almost as much excited by the sight
Of blood the contestants. Indeed, the
police believe that there were others that
were drawn into 1t. The fighting men were
shouting and cursing, and people in the
neighborhood were much alarmed fearing
that murder was being done David Powell
happened to be passing. He drew himself
up long enough to get peep at the affray.
He saw enough to convince him that some
one ought to interfere and ran around
toward the entrance. Some one saw Powell
looking. over the. fence and tried to drive
him OH. When he appeared his entrance
was barred, but he insisted on entering
Mr.. Powell saw that number Of men had
been badly cut and others had badly
bruised faces, showing that they had been
beaten.
Others finally interfered, got the men
separated, and in the midst of the excite
ment some one telephoned for the police
and the city ambulance. Holtz and Wal
lace hurried to the place, but were unable
to get much information, as those who
were present when they arrived were I'M
able to speak English well enough to make
themselves understood. After DR.. Marker
removed the injured man, his brother Angel
was sent to the station house. From there
the officers took him to Joseph L4arosa' s
fruit store on Virginia avenue. Angel
Caruso related to Mrs. Larosa the facts
as related above, Mrs. Larosa communicate
ing Caruso's story to the officers. After
obtaining the names and addresses of the
fighters, the officers at once hurried to
Scialaba'S house on Court street but did
not find him. They learned that he had
been home, but had left. They were also
unable to find Larosa. Other officers were
instructed to keep a watch for the men
All of them have families and 1t is not be-
Heved that any of them will attempt to go
away, as Joseph Caruso's case is not con-
sidered critical. After his brother Angel
was released he took Josephs wife to the
City Hospital.
It is just such disgraceful brawis as that
of yesterday afternoon that made the resi-
dents of the North Side wards desire to
have an ordinance passed by the Council
restricting saloons from the resident dis
tricts. This very saloon was one of those
of which there was complaint. Such an
ordinance was introduced. 1t was defeat
ed by the administration. If Ii had been
passed, as 1900 voters petitioned such dis
graceful scenes, it was urged, would be ex-
cluded from the districts of homes
Since the election saloon men are becon-
ing holder in violation of the laws. Satur-
street saloon were wide open at 1850
o'clock. At that hour a number of men
We're seated at tables drinking There was
talk last night in the neighborhood of the
Rosasco place of holding an indignation
meeting to take steps to drive the resort
out of the neighborhood.
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