The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-12
.FL0URISHED A SWORD.
Warlike Mr.. Anton Tries a
Faint in Court Greenville
Neighborts at War.

Mr. and Mrs. George Purkiss own and
live in a neat little two story frame
dwelling at No. 20 Stevens avenue The
top floor they rented to Mr. and Mrs
Fredrick Anton. Peace had relgned in
this little. house until last Thursday
evening when something dropped.
A short time ago MIR. Purkiss purchased
for his little u year old daughter an up
right piano. and this same piano is the
cause OF all the trouble. Last Thursday
evening the little Girl was practicing
when loud rapping was heard On the
ceiling above coming from the Anton
rooms. AS such things had occurred be-
fore she did not pay any attention to it.
A short time later Mr.. and Mrs. Anton
came running down stairs, and meeting
Mr.. and Mrs. Purkiss in the hall de-
rnanded that the noise be stopped. Pur-
kiss replied that they had a perfect right
to make noise in their own house il
they wished but insisted that his daugh-
ters playing was not noise
One word brought on another and in
very short space Of time the nall was
full of arms, legs, and, it is said. curses
The pair from the floor above proceed
ed to beat Purkiss, and Mrs. Purkiss ran
out of the house in search of assistance
Purlkss finally broke away and ran down
the street toward Ocean avenue pursued
by Mrs. Anton who soon lost her breath
and gave up the chase At Ocean ave
nue. Purkiss met his wife returning with
help and they all retraced their steps
towards the house When about fifty
Ieet away from they house they Were
stopped by an individual who suddenly
appeared before them stating that can
ton has a large sword, he is standing
threatens to kill yoll.'' After holding 4
short consultation it was finally decided
70 9raa rsdvance a. upon the enemy.
Ine mouse was reached, a. few angry
words We're spoken, and both families re-
tired TO their respective quarters and the
sword remained unstained by blood, Pur-
KISS, Who had received so many bruises,
immediately retired to his bed. where he
manned until yesterday morn5ng. He had
peen ON the street but a short time when
he heard that q warrant was out for his
arrest, charging him with assault and
battery; he also lealrned that the Autons
were the authors of it,
Purkiss presented himself at the Green
Willie Police Station, surrendered and gave
bail. He hurried to Justice DOUGLASS
COURT In time for the mornings SESSION,
but or account Of a lack of witnesses the
case was postponed until the evening ses-
At the trial Mrs. Anton was first called
ana She SAID tnat the broken brOomStick
she presented had been broken over her
head by the prisoner,
Anton was next called. He testified that
he had stood at the top of the stairs lis
tensng to Purkfss' abuse and curses until
he couldenOt stand lit amy longer then he
came downst airs. AS soon as ne arrived.
he said, Purkiss struck him in the mouth
Purlziss, when his turn came, told a
straightforward story. He said that a few
unpleasant remarks had passed between
them and Anton came downstairs and they
clinohed. He finished his testimony by
telling how badly he had been beaten.
A witness of PuIkiss' next took the
stand, and while telling how savagely AM
seen to rise from his seat take a few
steps up the aisle, away from all the seats
pick out soft spot and in a h'ghly dra-
matte manner throw up his hands and fail
in a dead-fake-faint
The case was then postponed until this
evening at seven O'Clock.