The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-18
RIOT In MOHAWK VILLAGE.
TIE MILITIA CALLED OUT TO
PRESERVE ORDER.

Fight Between Italian Laborers and VII.
layers Over the Laying OF Railroad
Tracks-Ftny Persons Wounded. Win.
dows Smashed and Fences Torn Down.
UTICA, Oct. 1.-THE Oneonta, Coopers-
town and Richfeld Springs Railroad Com
pany, operating fifty-hve miles Of electric
railroad beween Mohawk and Oneonta,
attempted to connect its tracks in Mohawk
with the Utica and Mohawk Valley Railroad
line to-day, against the wishes of the village
authorities, and riot, participated In by
a mob Of 200 Italian laborers and a crowd
Of several hundred citizens, including the
entire Mohawk Fire Department. was the
result.
No one was killed, but scores were pain
fully injured in the melee, which began
in the forenoon and lasted until darkness
interviewed tonight. by which time Com
pany G, Fourth Battalion, National Guard,
had arrived on the scene prepared to main
tain order
Property was damaged in the vicinity OF
the battle, dozens OF plate glass windows
in adjoining stores being smashed, fences
torn up in the rush for weapons, and rail-
road belongings sacrificed to the fury OF
the indignant villagers.
A few days ago Receiver Jennings of the
railroad company served an injunction
on the village trustees and othor village
officers restraining them from interfering
while the connection of the two roads was
being made. Residents who had discussed
the matter were also enjoined. The rail-
road company had asked for franchise
for the connection, but it was held up by
the village authorities until the trolley COM
pany paid SIS. 200 into the village treasury.
Instead of doing this, the company quietly
secured an injunction and at daylight
this morning served It upon t1s so, vilifase
two carloads Of Italian workmen and the
material necessary for making the track
connection were deposited on the section
OF highway in dispute. -, -,
The news spread through the village like
wildfire, and within an hour the streets
we're crowded with excited workmen,
many Of whom had left the factory or store
to prevent. if possible. what all agreed
was the theft of their property, Chief OF
Police Drummer was appealed 10, as was
also Sheriff Richards. but both SAID that
their hands were eifectually tied by the
restraining order and refused to act.
Meanwhile the Italian laborers worked
merrily on, excavating trench and laying
the cross ties, and each moment the indig-
nation of the citizens mounted higher
Finally the people. finding that the village
for themselves.
At about 10 O'Clock the volunteer hre
department was called out by the vigorous
ringing OF the fire alarm. Seeing this
move the workmen ceased their digging.
held aloft moved toward the firemen and
the battle was on.
While the Are laddies directed four-inch
stream water efsosSs the sSs sStb sen
Of the indignant villagers let fly rocks,
bricks iron bolts and pieces OF board, and
two of the more excited citizens pulled
revolvers and hlazed away at the workmen.
none of whom was struck, however, by
the bullets.
The Italians welded their weapons dex-
terously and within ten minutes after the
battle started fifty OF the participants had
been wounded more or less seriously. Sew
eral suffered broken arms. two OF the ltal-
the greater number Of injured suffered
from severe scalp wounds The village
police force finally succeeded in separa-
ting the beligerents, and number OF physi-
clans were summoned TO sew up the cuts
and set the fractured hmbe- Shortly AFTER
pacitated resumed the task OF laying the
tracks.
At 10 O'Clock this afternoon the citizens
were reinforced by a large party, OF resi-,
dents Of the village who work in lion and
who fastened to Mohawk when news OF
the battle reached them. Quickly plans
were formulated for another attack on the
interlopers, but this time they decided
to fight their battle with hose streams.
The fire alarm was again sounded and the
firemen responded with all the hame.fght-
ing apparatus the town owns. Three
streams were directed at the Italians from
different points, and though the laborers
hurled their piokaxes and shovels at their
assailants, they were utterly routed for the
moment.
The citizens promptly Ripped up the CROSS
ties which had been laid and filled In the
trench, but the trouble was not yet at
an end, as the Italians returned 70 the AZ
tack and prepared for fight at close quar-
ters, many carrying heavy pins and Few
drawing knives. At this the army OF citi--
zens withdrew and awaited the arrival OF
the company Of militia which is now quar-
tered in the village and which the Sheriff
had finally called upon when the fighting
had assumed such a serious phase.
Tonight the situation in Mohawk ia
peaceful, but tomorrow may witness
repetition OF to-day's events II the village
board, which is in session late this evening,
should decide to abide by its determination
to withhold the franchises desired by the
company and the latter should
renew its attempt to lay the connecting
link between its own line and the tracks
OF the Utica and Mohawk Valley Company.