Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-07-29
PANDEMONIUM ON AN ENCUR-
SION STEAMER

Scl tuo uiI uiOuy VI tEc SACuISiOH vi
Lincoln Lodge, colored masonic or.
gauzation, of Elizabeth, N j., and
precipitAted q row, during which the
rays of the SUI were eclipsed by the
glitter OF many rszors. The riot was
only quelled by the intervention of the
allied land aud naval force OF the New
| York police.
Lincoln Lodge numbers among its
members and friends most of the color.
ed element of Elizabeth, Newark and
Jersey City. Ii had arranged to give
lis annual excursion by steamboat and
| large to Forest Grove Park, on the
Hudson, Thursday morning, and e.
the appointed hour two thousand per-
sons were waiting at the dock at Eliza
bethport for the arrival of the hotila.
When it hove in sight the excursion
lists were greeted by the spectacle of
barge in tow of a small steamer, whose
paddle box bore in large letters the
name Blackbrd. Then it was that the
trouble began.
LiucolD Lodge protested vigorously,
and two thousand voices joined il de.
claring that the selection Cfe craft bear
ing such name wss an atffont to the
whole Airo.American race. Il was re.
called that once the ha.ed Blackbird
Tad been detailed to take cciored
congregation of Brooklyn on an ex-
culsiou, and that the pastor bad won
much popularity by refusing to let his
flock embark until a. other craft had
been substituted.
Most Of the eXcursionists were for
giving up the trip, but the committee
finally persuaded them to go aboard,
aud the Black bird started with the
barge Sumner lashed alongside.
But the name of the steamboat paint
ed on her pilot house and deck furnish
ings served as an irritating reminder to
all on board. Many of the excursion
lists sought comfort at the bar or
in the contents of small bottles.
When the latter were emplied they
were thrown at the offending name .
Objection to this was made by the
deckhands, but they were driven to
shelter Two special policemen at
tempted to calm the wrath of the pas
sengers, who, after driving the blue
coats telow, turned their attention to
Cartain Carter, of the Blackbird, who
took refuge in his pilot house, whel
be was bombarded with bottles. Caps
tain Burrell, in charge OF the barge,
was similarly besieged, and the excur-
sionists, having no one else to tgnt
with, began to fight among themselves.
When the boats were of Canal street
tumult reigned on every deck. Razors
| and pistols were brandi5hed, fists and
clubs were going and women and child
| rem were traDpled on.
Captain Carter watched the battle
| until he was off list street, when he
hoisted the Stars and Stripes, union
down, as signal of distress and ran
the boats into one of the n. y. Central
wharves.
The police were telephoned for and
Captain Moynihan and squad of men
| responded. They chargou the crowd
| with clubs, and after hard fight, sub
dued it.
| Captain Carter declared that he
would not leave the dock until he was
| furnished with police escort. A dis
patch was then sent to Captain Smith,
who came up in the police bo Vt Patrol
and placed guard on board the Black
bird, which then started on her return
voyage with the Patrol following close
| ly in her wake as ifshe had been prize
of war. A detail of police met the
Black bird when sne returned to Eliza
bethport, but there was 90 trouble.
Several of the excursionists were more
or less injured by razors, bottles, etc.
NOTED SWORD SwALLoWER DEAD
Carlo Bebedetti, of Paterson, n. j., who
was known both in this country and
Europe as sword swallower, died at
the New Jersey State Hospital for the
Insane at Morris Plains Wednesday
night of psresis. He lived in Paterson
for fourteen years after his retirement
from the show business aud was sent TO
Morris Plains only few months ago.
The body was taken to Paterson Thurs
dav night aud the local lodge Of Elks
will have charge of the fuDersl.
Just prior to his settling down in Pat
erson Benedetti made tour of Europe.
Oae of his favorite feats was to swallow
any walking suck offered 10 nlm oy lne
sp Gators.
money for the body. but they were re-
fused by Mrs. Julia Lee, who kept
house for Benedict during his residence
in Paterson, and by his relatives: The
doctors wanted to learn what physl'a al
popularity enabled Benedetti to per-
form his feats.
Mrs. Lee and brother OF Benedict
have been disputipg the possession OF
his estate siuce he was sent to Motifs
Plains. The known estate is not large
consisting mostly OF money invested 10
building and loan association, out IL is
thought that money and valuable pa
pers may be found in bis safe: DE
alone knew the combination and it mas
not been opened since his commitment
to the asylum.
IT,