Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-07-15
ATTACKED BY MOBS
Restaurants and Shining Parlors at
Roanoke Are Wrecked.
OVER SMALL DISPUTE
Difference only Five Cents When the
Row Started and Police for
Time Are Powerless to
stoD the Mob.

ROANOKE, Va, July 14-Roanoke is
quiet today after four hours Of rioting last
uight, when a mob wrecked nine Greek
staurants, three Greek shoe shine parlors
two Syrian shops The riot was caused
by dispute about cents between Greek
employed In the Belmont Greek restaurant
on Salem avenue, and an American who
went there TO buy sandwich. Seven
places were wrecked on Salem avenue.
three on Jefferson street. one on Nelson
street and one on Railroad avenue Five
men have been arrested and lodged in jeil
and one of them has been released on
$3.50 bail for his appearance at the hearing
next Thursday. None Of the Greeks is
under arrest. At all OF the wrecked places
today the proprietors set to work cleaning
out the debris. to be ready to resume busi-
ness.
The Greeks have employed counsel to
look after their interests and have already
called the attention of the Greek consulate
in this country to the affair.
While the disturbance was in progress
last night. Mayor Joel n. Cutchin, who
was in the street begging the crowds to
disperse was struck on the legs and Sc
verely bruised by rocks thrown by uniden-
tilted parties. Flying stones also struck
Police Justice J. r. Ryan, Police Sergeant
Overstreet and Policemen Manning. Ring
and Evans and Chief Engineer John Wag-
goner Of the Central fire department. Wag-
goner is on crutches today. The fire de-
partment was called out to throw water
on the crowd and when the hose was
turned on there were cries Of "cut .the
hose" One man stuck knife in the hose,
but was driven off by the big stream that
was played on him
Statement of Omcials.
John d. Johnston, counsel for the Greeks,
tonight made the following statement
1.-The Greeks have confidence in the fair
ness and sense of justice of the Roanoke
people and believe they will be reimbursed
for the damage they have sustained"
Nicholas George head of the local colony,
tonight said he had referred the matter to
d. N Botassi, Greek consul general at New
York, with the request that he take It up
with the Washington authorities.
! In a signed statement tonight Mayor
/ Joel R. Cutchins says:
| The regretable occasion of last night
has brought the blush Of shame to every
good citizen Of Roanoke"
The mayor says the riot occurred soon
after midnight, when the city was in semi
| darkness, the police force OF seven men
scattered over the city without any ia.
]
and that before the police could get tc
work stones and bricks we're thrown into
the various places wrecked, scattered over
several city blocks. The mayor added:
There is no resentment against the
Greeks on the part OF the city government
or OF any OF the law-abiding citizens OF
Roanoke. The city government will con-
tinue to offer the Greeks every protection
in It's power and proper reparation will nc
doubt be made for any damage sustained
by those who have suffered at the hands
OF the mob, No further disturbance will
be permitted. None Of the Greeks suffered
any bodily violence.
"The restaurant keepers will open for
! business again tomorrow. A most Tgor-
Gus prosecution OF the parties now under
arrest and any who may be later appre-
hended will be instituted. The Judge OF
| the corporation court will be asked to con-
vene a special grand jury to thoroughly
! investigate the matter"