New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-09-29
AUT0|STS ENGAGE
IN STREET DUEL
AT Least Twenty Shots Fired by
Occupants of Two Cars in
West I'D Street.
ELU0E PURSUIT By POLICE
One Machine Escapes Unmolest-
ed, While the Other Is Chased
by Member of Harlem Pre-
cinct on Way to Work.

automobiles. four men created a panic
in West I'D street last night when they
er gagged in pistol duel as they manPu-
vred their machines like horses Per-
sons passing through the street hastily
sought cover behind stoops and lamp
posts. while a fusilade Of fully a score of
shots were exchanged between the duel
lists
After having exhausted their ammuni-
ton the four mon turned their cars in
opposite directions and managed to eIude
the police. after they had beer chased
through the streets for many blocks. A
trail of blood on the sidewalk, broken
window in the basement of No. 143 West
I'D street and bullet marks on the rail
ing i'm front Of No. III were the only
clews left by the unknown combatants.
II was shortly after Is o'clock yestcr
day evening when a machine drove UP
To the curb in front Of No. t34 West
72d street. the homo Of Dr.. Alfred :.
Hess. a son-in-law Of Isidor Straus At
the same moment another car. painted
light gray color. came to stop oppo-
! site No. 151. In the gray car were three
men. while the black car contained
chauffeur and one passenger. who rode
/ in the tonneau.
As soon as the machines had come 10
! a standstiT short stockjly built man.
dressed in a blue serge suit and light
brown derby hat, leaped from the black
car and ran to where the gray automo-
bile was standing. When he reached the
side Of this car the short man climbed
on the running board and began TO talk
angrily with the three men in the ma
chine Their argument continued for
several minutes. attracting much atten
tion from persons on the sidewalk. on
account Of the loud voices of the men.
Short Man Suddenly Opens Fire.
! Just before he jumped off the running
/ board Of the gray car the stocky man
/ in blue shook his fist in the faces of the
/ three men with whom he had been argu-
ing and then ran across the street to
where his machine was standing. When
/ he had gone about twenty feet away
/ ne turned and drew a revolver from his
/ pocket and started in firing at the men
! in the gray machine The men thus at
tackled drew revolvers and returned the
fire Of the short man. the giare from the
exploding cartridges lighting up the
street with itful flashes.
After five or six shots had been fired
the man in blue succeeded in gaining
I his car and jumped into the tonneau.
Shutting the door behind him he kneIt
in the bottom Of the car and took aim
! again at the men in the other machine.
While the neighborhood was in a state
/ Of panic following the first interchange
/ Of shots. the men in the gray car
1 cranked the machine and started west
ward in 62d street Seeing this. the
man in the black car ordered his chauf-
feur 10 start the motor, and rolled off in
the same direction. The two machines
passed each other about the middle of
the block. the men jockeying for posi-
ton. as though mounted on ponies. and
when they drew abreast second hail Of /
shots was exchanged. the combatants
using the lacks Of the seats for protec-
ton.
Autos Speed Away UnnoIested
A. soon as the smoke Of combat had
cleared away the two automobiles /
spceded off in opposite directions. while |
persons who had sought safety in hiding |
. emerged from their cover and started To /
run after the machines.
Just At the moment when the two ma
chimes were being used as rolling ar /
senals by their occupants. George Smith. !
public chauffeur. came through the !
street i'm his taxicab. As he drew within |
the firing zone Smith realized his dan
ger and threw himself fat down on the /
floor Of his machine. He did not venture |
20 raise himself to n sitting position !
again until his car had reached Colum- !
bus avenue
Bicycle Patronsn MCGEE. of the West !
125th street station. who was on his
way 20 tho station house n report for
duty. reached Amsterdam avenue Just /
As the black car rounded the corner. He I
had heard the shots and supposed the /
occupants Of the black machine were /
responsible He was on foot at the /
time. but hailed a passing automobile Z
md ordered the chauffeur - chase the !
flying car ahead. Thus the pursuit was
continued. both cars making reckless .
speed through the avenue until SD /
street was reached. when the black car /
turned east and disappeared
40 attempt was made 70 follow the I
men in tho gray machine. and It was |
allowed 10 proceed 70 Columbus avenue, /
where it dashed north. In spite of the |
efforts If tho police 10 catch the men in /
the black touring car. the only clew |
they were able 70 obtain TO its iden-
tity WAS supplied by Martin Moss. of /
No - East 1f6th street. who was
walking Ola Columbus avenue as the big |
machine dashed around tho corner. He
had beard the firing and told the police
that he had managed 70 see the number
Of the car. which he said was No T.. 697 /
\ Y
The police or tho West Gsth street
station made sn investigation and found
that the machine registered under the
number supplied by Moss belonged to
Joseph Calvin. Of No. 2.!l West 18th
street. when they went t. the address
given tlcy found that it was garage
kent bv Harry Bolter Men employed in
tbc garage said that the machine had
formerly been kept there. but that il
had been taken away some months ago.
According to the police, the machine
- a. y,rtF,Ifs. car Iga-iu-. stand !