The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-12
TWO INJURED IN FIGHT WITH N. Y.
 EXCURSf0N1STS
Members of Bridgeport Nav al Reserves Battle with Thugs-to Save Deck Hand of Steamer Isabel.

John CostelH, of New York, a deck hand on the steamer Isabel. was badly
 beaten yesterday at Roton Point by some of the excursionists- on board the boat. Walter Mitchell, 19 years old, bugler of the Third Division, Naval Militia, of this city. who interfered to save CCostelli, was kicked into insensi- bility.
 The steamboat Isabel with the barge Empire in tow left the foot off East 13Sth street, New York, at 10 o'clock yesterday morning with a picnic party olic Benevolent Legion aboard. The Z. 800 men, women and children were bound for Roton Grove, Conn.
 Just as the Empire was coming alongside the wharf at ROtOn Point one of the picnickers jumped to the pier. Others followed Fearing serious accident, for the boat was not yet n1oored, one of the barge deckhands At once a free for all fight was under way.
 Men got hold of the deckhand, drag ged him to the pier and beat him with their fists and with clubs. Others Of the barge crew jumped into the fray and the fight became hot.
 In the meantime Il members of the reserve under Boatswain's Mate Ed ward J. Badly had left Black Rock for Roton Point. Tieing up the boat at its destination some of the. crew had gone further ashore, but Mitchell and several others remained on the wharf.
 At this time the Isabel tied up and the assault on the deckhend was be- gun. Seeing several men assaulting one Mitchell went to the rescue. as sisted by others of his party. He was roughly handled. In the affray -four of the thugs were pushed into the wa ter. x The fighters were having their own way until Deputy. Sheriff Ireland and three policemen arrived and took hand. They too were getting a severe beating when special policemen at tached to the picnic grounds at Roton Grove came to their assistance.
 The fight had lasted an hour when the police got control Of the situation. Then 1t was found that Costelli who had started the fight was so badly hurt that he might die He was sent to hospital.
 The police picked four men out Of the water. They had been knocked over board during the fight. Two of these men, Italians. were sent to the hospital along with the deckhand. Besides the water they had swallowed they had re- cefved bad cuts on the head
 Several hours after the fight had been stopped and the excursionists had quieted down they were allowed to land. but close watch was kept TOT further trouble They left the pier for New York at 5:15 with the crew of the steamboat armed with belay1ng pins. They arrived back at 138th street in New York at 10 o'clock. Capt. Pat ten and twenty men of the Alexander avenue station were on hand to meet them.
 : The captain refused to allow any one to land until he had investigated the reports of the fight, which had pre- ceded the excursion back home On the steamboat Isabel everybody denied knowledge of the fight, but Capt. Le- Roy of the basge pointed out three men who he said he had been told started the trouble. The men pointed out were arrested, charged with being suspected of attempting to commit felonious assault" They said they were Thomas Callahan of PAP Eighth avenue William Snyder, of 522 West 125th street, and Peter Hoey of 1871 Nelson avenue, The Bronx.
 Bugler Mitchell was brought back to this city. This morning he was Ht- tie the worse for his encounter.