New-York tribune., 1907-10-14
RIOT AT NIGHT COURT.
POLICE FIGHT FOR LIVES.
Shots Fired in Scrimmage Ouer
Registration arrest.

There a riot just outside the night court
late last night arising from an arrest for alleged
false registration. Two policemen had lively
fight for their lives before aid came. Several
shots were fired and two men We're badly beaten.
Michael SaIter, known as "Nigger Mike"
owner of a cafe at No. II Pell street was ar
rested the complaint of Nathaniel and Abra-
ham Harrison. cloakmakers of No, % Division
street and held in $500 bail by Magistrate
Wahle. He protested violently against his ar
rest. The doors of the courtroom were locked
for several minutes because of the disturbance
he made
The SPECTATORS in court at the time stood in
their seats to watch the melee, and there was
general confusion Salter was finally forced in
side the railing and quickly arragned.
Il do not know what | am arrested for he
said to the magistrate. Il am told that l am
charged with registering falsely. That is not
so. 1 am a captain in Tom Foleys district and
have done nothing wrong. l registered from
No. 50 Henry street, where l should.
Il happened to be here at the court tonight
10 do a kindly act. Some one wanted me to go
on their bail and came here for that purpose
AS Salter was being led back toward the
prison. Patrolmen Mendleson and Kennedy VINO
are attached to the court squad, hurried out OF
the room with ii man. AS they reached the
steps in Sixth avenue Mendeson grabbed Frank
Eppstein, of No. 312 East 14th street VINO
had threatened MIN. struggle ensued. Epp-
stein called for help, and Joseph Grimm Il
pugilist. of No - Madison street, it is alleged
erappled with Mendleson. Then Kennedy went
to Mendlesons assistance. The four men strus-
gled about the sidewalk and a mob of friends Of
the two men Joined in.
Finding themselves outnUmbered, both po-
licemen drew their revoIvers. Mendleson raised
his above the heads of the crowd and fired d
shot Grimm then he says. came forward ana
again Mendleson pulled the trigger OF the gun
AS it pointed at the man. The cartridge talied
10 explode and undoubtedly Grimms lie was
saved other shots were then fired in the crowd
The shouts OF the policemen and the firing
were heard in the courtroom. and soon half a
dozen policemen appeared. Then Grimm aud
Eppstein were overpowcred but not before
being beaten over their heads with nightstcks.
The courtroom in the mean time was in an
uproar. and Magistrate Wahc and tho clerks
ordered all the policemen out into the court
room TO prevent any further disturbance. Grimm
and Eppstein were taken into the courtroom
and the Magistrate adjourned court until quiet
was restored.
Eppstein received such an ugly cut on the
head from a nightstick that Lieutenant Tins
summoned an ambulance from St Vinccnrs
Hospital
PatroIman Kennedy had his knee badly cut
In the fight.
Grimm. according TO the police. was only re-
Gently discharged from Bellevue Hospital In a
recent night the police say Grimm had his jaw
broken
Later Magistrate Wahle raised salters bail to
81 600
Eppstein was also charged with false resistra-
ton.
Ex-Assemblyman James p. Nowcomb present
ed the charge against Salter for the Harrisons.