New-York tribune., 1909-07-12
FIGHT NAVAL RESERVE
NEW YORKERS IN BATTLE
At ROTOR POINT.
Police Make Several arrests after
Catholic Legion Excursion
One Nan Dying.

When the steamer Rosedale, towing the barge
Empire. landed in the East 1Ssth street dock
last night she brought in score or more OF
battle SCARED men. who we're met at the pier
by the police reserves from the Alexander ave-
nue. station, under command Of Captain Patten.
The captain and his men climbed aboard the
boats and placed three men under arrest.
charged with felonious assault.
When the confusion attending the arrests had
quoted down the story of bloody battle be-
tween the excursion crowd on the boats and
detachment Of Connecticut naval reserves. at
Roton Point Connecticut. was unfolded II ap-
pears that the passengers on the Rosedale wers
the members and friends Of r J. Hutchinson
Council No. SOS, Catholic Benevolent Legion.
who had been out an aIl-day trip to ROTOR
Point for picnic and games. 1t was while the
beat was being warped into the dock Of the re-
sort preparatory 70 landing her passengers that
the conflict occurred
According to the police the ROsedale was not
yet made fast to the pier when several Of the
excursionsts attempted to jump TO the dock
The man in charge of the pier warned them not
to jump until the gangpIank was run over
board. but attention was paid TO him
Finally one Of the enthusiastic members Of the
council. resenting the advice Of the dockman.
gave him a vicious kick in the face. it is al
legged This nettled the local man. and he pulled
No sooner had the man been dragged TO the
dock than the two men fell into a clinch and
rolled about upon the pier. This was the signal
for general outpouring from the boat, and the
unfortunate piertender was soon at the bottom
Of a squrmtng mass Of indignant picnickers.
all trying TO land a vital kick
While the battle was at its height. and when
victory seemed certain 70 perch upon the ban
ners Of the invaders. a sudden change took place
in the fortunes of war Twelve members Of the
Third Division Connecticut Naval Reserves. OF
Bridgeport arrived in a small launch. under
command Of BOatswain's Mate Dady- They witt
messed the plight of their local champion and
did not hesitate TO render assistance
Although unarmed. the reserves we're eager 20
join in the hitherto unequal fray Marshalled by
their leader they made a headlong rush at the
struggling mass Of humanity When they
reached close quarters they deployed to right
and left. in most approved military tactics. and
commenced their attack
With oars and ropes they beIabored their oP-
ponents Taken unawares. the council clan
turned in their tracks and gave battle 10 the as
si~ting army U-p and down the long length Nf
pier the interstate warfare ragged First one am
then the other side carried the tide OF battle us
,,-ar 4 man would 60 down under shower
Of blows. remain prone for a minute and men,
with head cleared OF temporary dizziness. renew
the attack
To the arcOnpanfrne0t Of shrieking steamboat
whistles calling for assistance and the hoarse
shouts OF the captain Of the steamer the con-
Aict grew in intensity, The naval reserve
seemed 70 have the advantage OF the enemy III
roint of endurance. however. and gradually
drove the invaders back into the hoid
of their vessel The victory was dearly Won
for Walter Mitchell. bugler. Of No - Az
Iantic avenue. Bridgeport. was left badly beaten
M and unconscious. He was hurried back TO
bridgeport and sent to d local hospital
The connecticut police got into communtca-
tion with the New York officials. and requested
that arrests be made when the Rosedale landed
in New York and that is why the police were
waiting at the 13Sth street pier
The men arrested are Thomas Callahan. or
No. 2r29 Eighth avenue; William Schneider. OF
No -, West 12Ith street. and Peter Hoey. OF
No 1911 Nelson avenue The Bronx They
were charged with assauIting the ROTOR Point
pier tender and locked up in the Alexander ave-
nue. police station pending word from the Con-
necticut shore resort
Word came to the police from Roton Point
early this morning that two Connecticut men
had been injured in the fray, and one Of them
was in a dying condition