Smyrna times., 1907-10-16
FIGHT AT SMYRNA DEPOT
NEARLY ENDS IN MURDER
LOU COHEN A JEW JUNK DEALER OF
SMYRNA HAS SKULL CRUSHED BY BRICK

Thrown By "DOuy" Darnell a COIOred Boy
Who Gets Into Dispute Over 20 Cents
Negro Arrested, Jew Sent to Hospital
dispute over twenty cents in ac-
counts came near causing a murder |
Saturday afternoon at the Smyrna |
Railroad Depot when LouI Cohen, a
junk dealer of Smyrna, was knocked |
in the head by brickbat and kicked !
in the face by "DOny" Darnell, a !
colored boy who had been employed
at the junk shop. Cohen, who had his
skull crushed in, was hurried off to the
Delaware Hospital in Wilmington, and
Darnell who made his escape was cap
tured an hour or two later at the
Chester House on Mt. Vernon street.
Officers Boyer and Turner had some
difficulty in getting the raving negro
into the lookup and it was necessary
to place a night watch over him until
the next day Sunday when he was
taken to Dover Jail. Despite the fact
that Cohen was reported dead several
times, he is making a fight for life at
the Hospital and there is hope for his
recovery. His near relatives and
friends are sparing no expense 10 have
him receive the best attention possible.
After the bloody transaction Saturday
and the subsequent arrest, feeling ran
high to lynch the negro and this tide
of sentiment seems only to have been
stemmed by the phone message which
reported that Cohen was living and
had fighting chance. Had the Jew
died it is barely possible that the
negro would have been severely dealt
with
Fight Started Over Dispute in Wages
The fight took place abont four
o'clock Saturday at Reynolds Wood
yard near the Depot. The dispute
arose over a difference of twenty cents
in wage account which Darnell con.
tended the Jew owed him but W hich
Cohen could not figure out to hissatis
faction. The negro became impudent
and abusive and despite the fact thai
Cohen was quiet and peacable fellow
he could not stand the abuse and {
fight ensued. The Jew was giving the
negro a good trouncing and followed
him out of the woodward to the plat
form near the Depot By this tim,
some citizens who had been watching
the fight, interferred and separated
the fighters. Cohen left the negro ant
started back to his shop when he wa
struck in the back of the head with
brickbat thrown by Darnell. The Je'
fell unconscious and as though no
satisfied with his cruel deed the negr
ran up and kicked the Jew in tn
face, knocking his teeth loose an
tearing his cheek with the sole of hi
shoe. The negro then made dash an
escaped. He was captured an hour {
so later at the Chester House. Cohe
with skull crushed in and bleedin
furiously was taken in charge by D.
J. W. Clifton who was summoned in
mediately. His wounds were dresse
and he was taken on the earliest trai
possible to the Delaware Hospital
Wilmington, where at this writing
is improving slowly but with alterna
ing hopes and fears for his recovery.
Affair Cansed Indignation 10 WilmiDgtO
Loui Cohen came to Smyrna recen
ly from Wilmington and purchase
the junk business from Walter SheltC
He was a quiet and orderly fellow Al
was generally liked by all who kne
him. He has brother living at 20
Poplar street Wilmington who TOT
charge of him when he arrived
French Street Station. The affair b
caused mnch feeling both in Smyr
and among his friends in Wllmingt
and the wish is expressed that t
negro will suffer the full penalty
the law