The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-07-27
BLOCK ISLANDERS
UNDER ARREST
J. Eugene LittIefield and H.
N. Rose in Custody.
SEVERAL OTHERS ARE HELD.
Face Legal Charges as q Result Of Par.
tlcIpatIon In the Recent fractional Sisam-
beat DIffculths.

some rev days ago much was brought
before the public concerning the factional
disturbances at Block Island, which were
finding expression in the so called
steamboat war" After a cessation OF
hostilities for something over week, the
matter was taken up again yesterday
and, while not as exciting in nature as
hand 10 hand conflict and wholesale as
satiit and battery, the latest phase OF the
situation seems far the most serious in
its possibilities.
Deputy United States Marshal r. J.
Stone. armed with a warrant sworn out by
Town Sergeant Hamilton A. Mott OF New
Shoreham arrested J. Eugene Littlefeld
and David II. Rose, both prominent
Block Islanders, yesterday and charged
them with cutting certain cordage be-
longing TO the steamer George w. Dan
ielson In violation OF the United States
statutes.
These two men were brought to Provi-
dence on the steamer City OF Haverhill
last evening and were taken before
United States Commissioner Henry
Marsh, Jr, at his office In the Banigsn
building. In answer to the charge brought
against them both men waived examin-
alton and were held under $1,000 bail This
was rendered by James ID. Minto OF this
city and the prisoners released. Altar
passing the night at the Narragansctt
Hotel, they returned to Block Island on
the Haverhin this morning.
At the same time Sheriff Clifford OF
Newport went over to the island and ar
rested several other men, charging them
with assault and battery, the offenses be-
ing committed, II is claimed, during the
excitement incident 10 the removal OF the
Danielson from her berth at the wharf
by the anti-Champlin faction.
These men were Eli Sprague and Rob
ert Smith charged with assault with
dangerous weapon. and ID. b. Rose,
James Ormsbee. Everett A. Willis and
Simeon ToInis Ball, charged with assaup
and battery. All pleaded not guilty and
were placed under bonds TO appear be-
fore the Wardens Court on Aug. l.
The warrants served upon Mr.. Little
field and Mr.. Rose were the same In each
case and charged a violation of section
1862 OF the Revised Statutes OF the United
States, in that J. Eugene Littletield and
David NJ Rose did. on or about July l6,
1904. cut certain cordase belonging 10
vessel, TO wit, the steamer George w.
Danielson
Section 53s2 OF the Revised Statutes Of
the United States relates to the breaking
and entering eff vessel on the high
seas or on any bay, harbor. river, creek
or inlet, and to the cutting OF any ropes.
cordage, rigging, etc, on any vessel In
any Of the places named The penalty for
violation OF this section IL fixed at fine
OF not more than $1,000 and imprisonment
at hard labor for not more than five
years.
Mr. Minto. who Is enc OF the largest
owners of the City OF Haverhill, offered
to produce the requisite bail at Block
Island but the deputy marshal had no
alternative but to bring the men To ProVi-
dence to hail them before the United
States commissioner. Mr.. Minto accom-
panied the party on the City OF Haverhiu
ard last evening furnished securities on
property at Lymansvflle and this oity
which served to lfberete the men from
restriction. They are bound over TO sp-
penr at the first days session Of the
United States court. which conyenes at
this city November Is. Edward NJ. Sulli-
van OF Crsnston serves as counsel for the
defendants
The special fraoas responsible for the
present turn Of Affairs took place on July
10, In ths cid harbor at Block Island Fos
some days the passengers on the 5teamer
City Of HavsrS,ni hsd been obliged to
land across The decks OF the George W,
Dsnistson. lying AZ her berth st the old
harbor wharf On the day In question.
the anti -ChAnapfirLtes removed che htter
steamer to q postcion In the basin. giving
tAs Havssh1i free Wharfage On ths ar
rival Of the New shorehanL hovc~er
the trouble commenced. A party frnm
the lat steamer boarded ths Dentslson
and started TO warp her across che oman
nsl in order TO block The passage OF the
IIavsrhAfl A crowd Esthered TO wstoh
ths procssdfngs. and among the earfsest
on the scene was J. rugeps L<taoneld
boat was secured snd headed by the
redoriStaele anti -Champlinite, party
MIXED into ne doinfs. The great hawser
which was used 10 warp the Danielson
ocross the channel was cut win an are
and considerable ill-feeling was given
verbal expression as a result. II In the
cutting OF this rope which IL charged
against Mr.. Litteneld.
The public at large especially the rest-
dents % Block Island. will await with
grea. interest the future developrnents