Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-04-24
Turks, Greeks, AuStrianS and Al
banianS MingIe To Do
Murder.
POLICE ARRIVE OPPORTUNITY
Row Over Fruit Cart Nearly Costs
Potter and Vcnetis Their Lives
Before Officers Appear.

A riot call at 9:45 this morning from
First South between Fourth and Fifth
| West streets, where a gang of %
Turks. Greeks and Austrians tried to
kill two Albanians named Chris Potter
| and George Venetis. created quite a
| diversion for the police.
| When the call came into police head
quarters, officers Cloush, Price, Gold
ing and Ripley were in the desk SER
geants office. They quickly jumped
into the patrol wagon and record run
was made to the scene of the conflict
There We're probably more than 100
foreigners on the street yelling like
mad men and doing their best to kill
Potter and Venitas. and they would
have undoubtedly succeeded but for
the timely arrival of the officers. When
the rioters saw the policemen, they
broke and ran In all directions. The
two victims were rescued and six
Turks were arrested and hauled to
police headquarters, The prisoners
gave their names as follows. Mike
Motto, Orrin Mirce. Paul Thame. Jim
Allea, Fats Allea and Cherim Zquir,
They Will be charged with rioting, dis
turbing the peace, and battery.
ROW OVER FRUIT CARTS.
According to the story told the DO.
lice by Potter, the row started In a
dispute between him and the Turks
over some small fruit carts which he
had sold 10 some of the Turks and
Greeks. one cart he loaned to IA
Turk with the understanding that the
fellow would pay back money which
had been advanced by Potter. Fall
ing TO get the money Potter decided
this morning to take possession of the
cart The Turk refused to relinquish
the cart or pay back the borrowed
money, and when Potter attempted to
take his property by force. about 20
men pitched upon him. Knives We're
drawn and rocks hurled at the I'M
lucky Potter. He was struck prob
ably a dozen times about the body with
stones, but managed TO keep his head
covered George Venetis rushed to the
assistance OF Potter and he was also
attacked and Knocked down seyeraI
times.
WHOLE COLONY ALARMED.
The cries of the Infatuated foreign
ers aroused the whole nelghborhooS
and swarthy aliens swarmed from the
surrounding buildings.
That they We're bent upon murder
ing the two men was quite evident and
would have done so had not some
thoughtful person turned IN the riot
call. The patrol wagon rushed 10 the
scene nj breakneck speed and when
the gang saw the officers coming they
scattered like frightened sheep. The
buecoats succeeded in arrcsting the
leaders OF the gang, but the others
managed TO make their escape Pot
ter and Venetis accompanied the pris-
oners TO police headquarters and fled
complaints against the men,
PoTpER THEIR FRIEND.
Il have loaned some of the men
money TO help them make a living"
said Potter To the News" 81 also
loaned them some little push carts for
which they were TO pay me when they
Gained the money. This morning when
! asked them 10 give me my money
they said they would Kill me. ! asked
FOR one of the carts and they refused
10 lot me have H. and when | said
/ would take II they started to beat me
I fought or four or Ave but when there
were 20 Of them trying TO Kill me with
rocks Il was too much. Venetis tried
to help me but they knocked him down
with rocks. My body Is all covered
with cuts and bruises"
There was a frlghtful trumoil when
the police arrived on the scene. En-
ragged Turks, Greeks and other foreign |
ers blocked the street and were veil |
ing and all trying TO get at Potter and |
Veneus. II Is claimed there In a great |
deal of hatred existing between local |
Abianians and the Turks and Greeks |
ana that the fire which broke out this /
morning has been smouldermg for a
l,ug lime