The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-28
POLICE INJURE SOLDIERS.
PROVOST GUARD FROM CAMP BLACr
IN n FTGHT AT CONVEY ISLAND.

Went There to Arrest q Deserter and Found
Him in n Concert HalI-A Fight Followed
and Two of the Guard Were Arrested-
The Deserter Escaped During tho Row.
A provost guard OF three. soldiers from Camp
Black and the Coney Island police had a fight
in Vacca's Concert Garden on the Bowery.
Coney Island. last night, and caused a panie
among the patrons of the place. Guns. hnyo-
nets. pistols. night sticks. and a billy figured
as weapons In the fracas. and after the battle
was over two OF the soldiers were taken 10 the
Coney Island station and locked up on n charge
OF disorderly conduct. Two other soldiers es-
capped arrest.
Primarily the trouble was caused by Pri.
vate Comerford Of the 20lst Regiment Mt Camp
Black. On Wednesday night he assaulted an.
other private. was arrested and placed IN the
Ruardhouse. On Thursday night he escaped
ana came to this city. SerRt. William s.
Crandall. Corporal Morris Conkllng and
Private Kirby were detailed as q provost guard
and sent out to arrest him. They searched
Mineola, Garden City, Jamaica, Richmond Hill.
Long Island City. and finally arrived in New
YORK yesterday afternoon. A friend OF Conner
ford told them that he was at Coney ISL
and. and the three soldiers started for
that place. They are accused by the police
OF celebrating a little on their own account and
OF having raised a disturbance at seeley'S
Hotel. The real trouble came. however, when
they entered Vacca's concert hall and saw
Comerford sitting at a table drinking beer.
You're under arrest shouted CORPORAL
Conkling. but Comerford jumped to his feet
and tried to escape. Sergeant Crandall barred
his way with O rife and Kirby ran to his
assistance with a bayonet. The place was
Immediately In an uproar and q number
OF men rushed to Comerford's assistance while
the women ran out OF the place. The stage
performance ceased, and all the Waiters and
bouncers took a hand in the fracas.
The screams of the women brought Police-
men Shea and Lynch into the place. They ar
rived just in time to see Crandall, ConklinR
and Kirby charging on the crowd. and taking
them for the aRgressors. tried to arrest them.
Of. while ConEIine and Shea engaged each
other. Gomerf9rd ran out OF the place and
Lynch lost his night stick in his fight with
Crandan. and drawing his revolver pushed 10
against the soldiers stomach, and puiledthS
Crandall ,wrested the weapon from him before
he could repeat the attempt, Lynch then
about the head until he surrendered. Shea
hshd. meanwhile; managed to best C9nklinG.
were badly torn. ConklfnE and Grandaii weTo
to the station and locked up for the
plight. Az alarm was sent out for the arrest Of
The police aiiege that Comerford had nothing
% az with the row. They say THAT CrandulI.
the hall. and that they made the four bar
Esnders hold 9g their hands at the mnzzfes Of
went back of the bar and tried to wreck the
place. when they arrived and the fight took
After being locked in the station both Cor
1oral Conkling and Sergeant Crandall became
iery Ill. An ambulance surgeon was called in.
md that probably he had sustained a fracture
the skull. Crandall was 80 seriously battered
bout the head that he was in u dangerous