The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-25
TOUGHEST GIRL
IN new YORK
Fifteen. Yelr. r.0Id Drlga CoIaml
Expert at BIasphsmy.
MEMBER OF FIVE POINTS GANG
Friend Of Thug; and Crooks-nad Prize
fighter for a STEADY" and lcafsd
About the Streets.

New York, Sept 26.-The toughest"
child of the toughest district in New
York is IN the hands OF the Gerry society.
She is Driga coloma, born IS years ago
In the heart OF Cherry Hill.
Carrying a pistol, ighting cleverly with
her fists, swearing like trooper. trail
mg the notorious gangs OF the east side
and Joining in the brawls and killings,
and pildering from her hard-working
parents at every opportunity were some
OF the most strongly developed traits OF
this remarkable child.
She is well known 10 police and neigh
bors and II was the fear that she might
commit some crime. perhaps do them
bodily injury, that brought her parents
to the Oak street police station with
request that she be put under the pro-
lection of3the Gerry society.
The parents OF "Bridgie, as she is
known, own small sidewalk business
In green groceries at the corner Of James
and Oak streets, and live few doors
away at No ss James street. Her eldest
brother works hard with her father. Two
other brothers. Older than Bridge" are
idlers and one Is a member OF gang
whom the police would like 10 find. A
younger brother leads the tough young
sters OF his neighborhood.
Bridgie refused 10 go TO school, and
when put TO work at the little stand
she found the companionship of mem
bers OF the Five Points and Monk"
Eastman gangs. who hung out at the
corner saloons, far more fascinating than
trade In potatoes and unions.
CURSED HER PARENTS.
For the last three years young prize
fighter with a bad reputation was her
constant companion. She loafed on the
streets after midnight her foul language
and blasphemy silenced the toughest
members Of the gangs when they crossed
her. and she would abuse and threaten
little girls on the streets. Police or law
had no terrors for her.
Black eyes. bruises and scratches she
wore as badge OF honor A skirt to
her shoe-tops and a shirt-waist dressed
her. and an abundant suit OF dark hair
she coiled loosely on top Of her head A
hat she never wore. She cursed and
drove her parents from her when they
demonstrated with her and threatened
her own vengeance and that OF "the
gang"
Saturday she left home. taking her
fathers revolver and announcing her
intention 10 become full-fedged mem
ber Of the Five Points" gang During
the recent round-ups ~ members Of east
In the midst Of the melees one time
with pistol in her hand. but she always
managed to get away.
CoAoma and his wife complained TO the
police that they feared for her life among
the toughs. and on Tuesday night Of
ficers Maher and Roy, plain clothes men
surprised Bridge" in No ~ Madison
street and arrested her. She fought the
policemen with all her strength. but they
landed her In the station house. pawn
ticket for her fathers pistol was found
on her.
ncers told 10 Justice Olmsted in the chill
dren's court, the story OF the almost un-
believabie depravity OF the child Their
testimony was hardly necessary. as the
girl herself cursed. screamed and bias
phemed In the courtroom. She will stay
with the Gerry society until net Feb
rurary. when. as she will then be 1s she
will probably 20 TO the reformatory.
'1f I was the Judge I would give her
ten years breaking stone" was the com
ment OF her brother. who leads the gang
Of tough youngsters