The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-31
Ball Opened By Mayor Ends In
 Furious Battle
Peace Reunion Ends in General RoughhOuse With Many
 Injured
Police Charge Upon Turbulent Mass Gathered Outside Eagles
 Hall - Several Are Arrested

Opened under the auspices of most
 prominent Italian speaking citizens of
 Bridgeport, and addressed by Mayor l Clifford B. Wilson to whom a hand some loving cup had been presented,
 what was intended as a peace reunion of the Confederated Italian Societies, broke up in a near-riot last night, re- quiring the presence of nearly score 1 of police, the attention of physicians
 from local hospitals and ending in the arrest of twelve participants. 1 Others are still being sought.
 In the City Court this morning
 Marko Stello, 623 Pembroke street, president of the Society of the Sons of Italy, Harry ArcangeIo, president of the Confederation. Emil A. Nea-
 politan, POT North Washington ave- nue, John Dolgo, 426 Kossuth street,
 Patrick Celanaro. IA North Wash ington avenue, and Jabby BeIpedea, Stratford avenue. were held under
 f to answer charges of breach of the peace and violation of the liquor law; Joseph Tedesco, AT Hallett street, James Gelormine, 161 Willard street. and Patsy Basso, IA North Wash ington avenue, were held under s2OO
 bonds. and Eddie Reginoldo is held for investigation.
 Thomas RifiII, cut on the right arm, and treated at St. Vincent's hos pita1 was dfncharged this morning, put QeGp SIaDs WOunOS III Lne lace or Samuel Walls will keep him confined until after the first of the new year. It is said that over a score of men
 sought outside medical attendance while some Of the women present were tranpIed under foot.
 i Versions of the manner in which l the trouble originated varies some- what, some saying that it was merely | the skipping of a woman's face which started the trouble, others alleging | that the initial cause was the pre- ! Mayor, and still others arguing that | it was premeditated attack by mem bers of a local gang from the west side. All agree that it was like a panic and that the nrst special who 1 started to enforce order was felled by well directed blow and that a hundred women's screams were heard above the roar of the fighting men. | As the hall began to empty the fight continued in the street, stones being thrown and ,pickets wrenched fracas called patro1men from nearby beats, but over three hundred were then engaged in a pitched battle, re- inforcements were summoned from Sergeant A. l.. Prout Patrolmen
 James O'Neil, John HaIpin, George Benedetti, James Bray, Patrick Burns; Daniel Ryan charged the crowd and it dispersed.
 It was later found that besides
 
 to neck with several arteries severed and Thomas Rihi1l who after being tabbed had jumped through second story window in his effort to escape,
 many had wounds about the face and hands well as clothing cut to rib bons. Those only injured in minor l respects were attended by friends. Among those known to be treated | by local physicians were Victor Lind quist, 319 Ienox avenue, James Lynch. Beechwood avenue, struck on the jaw | by picket a local fighter nickname eG l Irish O'Brien and "Kid'' Buffalo, | the latter understood to be sought | by the police after he had obtaine a record for felling seven opponents who looked for his scalp.
 i Although it is known that several prominent city officials were still in 1 the hall during the melee and at least l one was the recipient of several severe 1 blows, it is asserted that the mayor had been accompanied from the hall
 by the presentation committee some i minutes before the affair started.