New-York tribune., 1903-04-26

TO ennihflate the tribe of "Yakey Yake." had IL.
origin in circumstances entirely dissinilar from
those which set in motion the ancient fight about
the walls of Troy: that is to say. 1t began over a
woman The Helen OF the Fourth Ward an
italian girl originally employe OF a paper box
mandatory and later inmate of Chinatown
dive Among her favorite knights was a lieutenant
of "Yakey Yake' Brady. who followed her to China
town.
But the field was not left TO the '"Yakey Yake."
Presently there appeared the scene a Hebrew
from Alen-st.. who vanquished his predecessor and
captured the affections Of the girl. rs a mark ol
his triumph he invited her to dance at New
Irving Hall. there. in the presence OF many
adniring comrades. led q waltz with mis- fair
panion. But the ''Yakey Yakes' sought speedy
revenge, and as the Hebrew leading the dance
half score of ''Yakey Yakcs'' burst into the hall
with drawn revolvers, laid violent hands on the
maiden and departed in triumph to Cherry Hill.
leaving behind them sore hearts and sorer heads.
This in March and marked the first act in the
great conflict.
The second encounter came soon after. Again
the ''Yakey Yakes' the asg-cssOrs. and for
a second time humbled the pride OF the Monk
Eastmans." This time Eastman opened
poolroOm in Suffok-st and invited his comrades 10
a grand celebration. They came in full numbers,
even the redoubtable Monk Eastman" Was present.
and the festivities were brilliant But al the
psychological moment ''Yakey Yake suddenly
emerged from the cellar. revolver in each hand.
and several other invaders opened fire from the
sidewalk Then the windows and doors filed
with fleeing "Eastmans." but the police were
hand for once. and twenty-five Of them were hailed
off court.
The hardest lot of young criminals in town. your
honor" explained police sergeant in court We
never had such gang here before" But the
"Eastmans'' managed to escape, they usually do
CARRIED THE WAR TO CHERRY HILL
This last invasion marked a change in the hos
tilities, for. stung by their humiliation the East
mans resolved to do a fearful thing; they would
invade Cherry Hi and revenge the indignites to
their members. a few nights later Cherry-st-
the scene of battle royal From opposite sides of
the street the gangs vOIIeyed at each other
and the roar OF the guns aroused the quiet neigh
borhood TO a realization of war and battle. When
the police finally arrived they found one youth
stretched the sidewalk with ugly bullet
wound.
Il won't tell yer nothin." his surly answer
to all questions But when I get out I'll fix the
people that done this Here. in word, is the
spirit of vendetta that animates the gangs.
Such the invasion of Cherry Hill by the
''Eastmans" AS a result of il the district
flooded with police reserves and for week the
two gangs lay quiet Presently they began again
This time they avoided pitched battles and
fined themselves minor shooting affrays and
saults which eliminated last week in the murder
of Monk Eastman in Cherry-st. Underlying
this present activity of the Eastman Gang
facts that significant OF the influences at work
in street life throughout New-York City to-day.
The history of the Monk Eastmans,' the latest
rulers In the world OF the tough gang" is typical
of the lower East Side. There is little place for
romance in the chronicles Of this band East-