Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-07-15
RIOT IN ROANOKE.

Nine Greek restaurants, three Greek
shoe-shining places and two Syrian
shops, located on Salem and Railroad
avenues and Nelson and Jefferson streets,
Roanoke, we're wrecked by a mob that
had its own way in the street for several
hours Saturday night The trouble
began about midnight, and continued
until $3.50 Yesterday morning. The pro-
prietor of the Belmont, Greek res
taurant on Salem avenue, and an Ameri-
can customer quarreled over five cents
and a fist fight followed. The American
left the place, reported the occurrence
to his friends and the party returned TO
the place and bombarded it with bricks,
demolshing the windows, doors, lights
and some of the dishes.
The Greeks fred number of shots
through the door, but none took eff
While the crowd was gathering man
covered with blood was brought from
another section of town to physicians
Office, directly opposite the restaurant,
and the crowd, believing this man had
been hurt by the Greeks, grew mo
boisterous. Sergeant of Police Oyerstreet,
with two patrolmeu, tried to quiet the
crowd, but were pOwerless. The bonn
bsrdment continued. Police Justice
John Randolph Bryan arrived on the
scene and ordered the arrest of q man.
When the police attempted to make the
arrest they were warned to let the man
alone. Justice Bryan, with a drawn
revolver, said he would kill the first
man that assaulted a policeman. The
police released the man they were ar
resting.
Later Mayor Cu.chin arrived and beg |
ged the mob TO disperSe. BY this time
there we're 1000 men 10 the streets and |
the mayors words were greeted with |
boots, these being punctuated with brick
bats and rocks, which we're hurled at the |
executive and at the restaurant across
the avenue. The mayor was struck on
the legs and bruised, but he continued to
mingle in the crowd and plead with the
people to 60 home. Finally he ordered
fire alarm sent in and fire company
rushed to the scene. AS the engine and
wagons passed through the streets the
firemen were stoned and Chief Engineer
Waggoner was so badly hurt that he is
walking on crutches.
When the hose was unwonnd there
were loud cries of "Cut the hose p and
"5hoot him - the later remark being
aimed at the fremen. One man stuck
a knife in the hose, but he was driven
of by the big stream of water that was
played on him. Stones continued to fly
through the air and Police Justice Bryan
and Policeman Manning, Overstreet and
King we're struck. Sergeant Overstreet
was knocked senseless by rock that bit
Kim back of the ear A number of men
arrested by the police were rescued by
their friends.
After the fire engine arrived in front
of the Belmont restaurant the mob scat
tered and soon glass was crashing 10
several directions.
The mob proceeded through Salem
avenue, smashing the front Of every
building occupied by Greeks. Then it
went into Jefferson street, where two big
Restaurants and a shoe-shining place
were wrecked, the plate mirrors that
covered the walls being demolished.
Eggs, fish and dishes were thrown into
The street, The crowd then went on
Railroad AVENUE, where one Greek place
vas smashed. Next they visited Greek
shop on Nelson street and wrecked that.
Every Greek place in town, except two
arge confectionery stores, which are !
conducted separate from restaurants, {
was demolished.
Half dozen Virginia Military Idsti- :
ute boys offered Mayor Cutchin their i
services, and they we're armed with
lot guns and placed in the street near :
he Jail to guard the prison while men i
lrrested were being lodged in Jail.
The victims of last nights distur- c
'snce have employed counsel to look !
'fter their interests, and have alseady
edged complaint with the Greek consul
ate at Washington.
Mrs. Preston Gibson, OF Chicago, s
,fnwI,n.Lt1. r NoIann para | y