The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-10-09
NEARLY CAUSED A RIOT
SONS OF ITALY WERE Ex-
CITED.
Erratic Celt wreaks Havoc In a Dago
Drink Foundry-Unwitting Part
Played In the Affair By a News
paper Man, Who Wasn't Allowed
to Explain.

Patrick O'Conner, an cratic little
Celt, whose occupation is that Of a
miner, waged war against the italian
element last night to the extent Of
smashing every window and glass door
in Ralph Ambrosio's saloon at 125
South State street. His only reason,
apparently, for causing the populace
to believe a riot was in progress, con-
sisted of these two facts: His partner
had been hit, and an "Italian-looking
citizen perpetrated the outrage.
So Patrick wanted to be it, About
1870 he went into Ambrosio's and de-
manded that the party who insulted
the spirit of ST. Patrick be pointed
out. The Italians looked on in mute
dismay.
Smashed the Windaws.
''Knowa noting about it." was the
answer Pat received. This was TOO
much. Pat went out and one minute
later cobble rocks as big as ostrich eggs
showered down, in, against and upon
the premises. Panes of glass were ren-
dered artistically irregular in less time
than it takes to tell it, and big rocks
rolled about the bar and down the
adjoining alley with remarkable vigor.
isfied with the total demolition of the
first floor, hurled a missile through
each of the upstairs windows and
tossed one on the roof IN bone that 1t
would puncture the skylight.
A crowd gathered at hearing echoes
of the wake, and somebody rushed
around the corner to the police station
and apprised the desk sergeant. There
was no officer within hail.
Arrival of 'sHelp."
A Herald reporter ventured in the
saloon about this time and was immedi-
ately recognized as an officer of the
law. Ere he could explain to Alnbro-
sio's chief clerk his real capacity, the
latter put away a horse pistol and ex-
planned that he had refrained from
shooting Patrick on the street because
of the crowd. 1t was evident that he
felt perfectly at ease since help" had
arrived.
"Righta dere-ona de street, q'vick
q'vick," explained the clerk.
But, my dear sir" protested the re-
porter.
"Q'vickl" shouted Ambrosio, through
one of the windows that were, he'll
getta away" AT the same moment
the helpless reporter was rushed ur
the street, several dozen sons of the
sunny peninsula following or directing
the way. In front of the Golden Lion
Patrick and the reporter met, the lat
ter being tickled to death to find him
Jolt On the Jaw.
Pat by way of introduction, planted
jolt on Ambrosios clerks jaw that
sent him twirling into a doorway. The
clerk struck back, and vice versa Six
or eight blows were counted, when g
beer sign interviewed, and Patrick lee
the scribe to police headquarters.
He (Patrick) was locked up for de-
stroying property and general cussed-
ness. He endeavored periodically, tt
get at the dark-visaged followers o1
Ambrosia that gathered in, and begged
leave to smash just one dago. The re.
quest was denied.
Later in the evening, officer Hiltor
found Patrick's partner. the cause Of
all the trouble. He had a cut in hi:
lip, but he had failed to remember
who it was he ran up against. The
partner gave the name of Frank Shir.
ley and was docketed for begging,