New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-05
GUARD STABBED
BY CRAzED ALIEN
Three Others Slightly Hurt
in Wild Outbreak at
Ellis Island.
KNIFE USED FREELY;
WOMEN IN PANIC
Syrian, Fearing Deportation,
Fights Like Madman-Landed
in IrOns-Victim May Recover.

| Vincent f. Stowe, a guard ut Ellis
| Island. was stabbed yesterday afternoon
in fight with a crazed Syrian immigrant
who attempted 10 end his life because he
feared deportation The blade OF clasp
knife was plunged into Stoves body in
! the scuffle, severing the left femoral
gestric artery. Stone was operated upon
at the Ellis Island hospital soon after
ward and doctors were able to sew the
severed artery. II was said last night
that he had an even chance Of recovery
In the fight, which took place outside
OF the main assembly room. in the pres
ence of fifty men, women and children
detained for special examination, Edward
J. Iapointe. a Waterman. and two aged
Jews were also slightly injured IT was
the worst outbreak the authorities at
Ellis Island ever experienced.
Sarkis Ishac, thirty-eight years old,
who came here on the Olympic from
Southampton. November ~, and his
were waiting TO 20 before special board
for medical examination.
Becoming POSSESSED OF the idea that he
was about TO be deported, Sarkis drew
the knife from his pocket, opened il and
stood with II raised above his head. Men
and women looked on in horror and
finally Yousef spranC AZ his brother and
attempted to wrench the knife from his
hand
Two Jewish patriarchs also came TO hts
assistance. but Sarkis threw them 10 the
floor Stowe. the guard. heard the screams
Of the women and. pushing through the
panicstricken immigrants, he grappled
with Sarkis.
The guard is fully six feet in height
and muscular. while the Syrian IS sew
eral inches less in stature. yet he tough,
with a fury that Stowe found difficult 10
overcome The men fell and rolled over
and over on the floor Sarkis tried re-
peatediv 10 stab his opponent and event
ually succeeded
Youscf lshac attempted To separate the
struggling men when Lapointe entered.
Mistaking the younger Syrian's purpose.
the Waterman pulled him away. and an
other encounter followed. Youscf sank
his teeth In Lapointc's ear. and when
forced 10 let go he seized the guards
thumb between his teeth and held ON
dOggedly, nearly severing H. Three at
PENDANTS rushed from the kitchen and
finally stopped the melee
stowe was hurried To hospital ana
placed on the operating table. only
prompt medical attention saved his ne
The news OF the encounter reached Dis
trlct Attorney Whitman by telephone. and
he sent one O! his staff 10 Ellis Island
10 Investigate Last night Detectives
I.andvoe and Mcknight. Of the District
Attorneys office went 10 Ellis Island and
arrested Sarkis on q charge Of frlouious
assault
When the Syrian was told h. was I'M
der arrest ne fought Ike "A mailman and
had TO be handcuffed. on the ferrybcat
from Ellis Island he continued his strug-
giles and attempted TO leap overheard. A.
the Greenwich street police station, where
he was taken. he again rebelled The
combined efforts Of five patrolmen were
required while the prisoner was searched
notebook was all that was found in his
pockets.
Sarkis will be taken to the District At
torney's office this morning The case Is
without precedent being the first instance
Of an immigrants arrest for crime
committed before he was admitted 10 tho
country. for which he will be made To
answer to the local government