New Britain herald., 1916-10-21
STRIKING NEGROES
 lNCITE NEAR RIOT
Darkeys Pay Midnight Visit to
 Center and Cause Disturbance NURSING BRUISED HEADS
Take Bunch Room by Storm But Re- treat When They Hear Rebel Yell- Brakeman Smashes Lantern on Darkey's Head-Briefs.

Inflamed by dat good ole nigger during the day and enraged because of the treatment given them by the New Haven railroad, negroes en- ployed at the transfer station left their quarters near the depot last night to pay visit to the center and incidentally to annihilate whatever whites might be in sight. "A near-riot resulted and today some of the darkeys are nursing bruised heads which were damaged in the melee incidental to their visit. The police force' slept soundly through it all owing to the failure of either the voters or selectmen to provide for patroling the streets and it was not until the trouble was over that an of- ficer could be located, telephone call eventually bringing Constable Marine to the scene of the disturb ance.
 During the early part of the eve- ming two of the negroes got into an encounter with some whites and wore badly used up. They had assumed a threatening aspect and were severe- ly mauled for their insulting remarks. A brakeman, who was mixed up Tn the affair, smashed his lantern on a frizzled hair covered head and ren- dered the recipient of the blow un- conscious The other darkey was pummeled with fists and whatever weapons were available and he too was made hors de combat.
 When the pair recovered they hied to their headquarters and securing endorsements returned to the center to renew hostilities. They made an attempt to get into Gleason's lunch room but found the doors locked to them. They threatened to break windows and do dire things to the men in charge but finally left without doing any damage. They then marched to Collins lunch room and took possession of the place, the night man and the few white cus- toners retreating when they found the strength of the advancing horde. Finally one of the white men, with rare presence of mind, gave the rebel yell from behind the building and ths negroes evidently believing that the Ku Klux clan was out for an eve- ning's entertainment dashed out of the place and retreated in disorder to the station.
 Meanwhile an "s. O S." call was sent to the home of Consta ble Marine and he reported at the center a short time after the invading force had re- tired. He remained on the streets until early this morning fearing that another attack might be made but conditions remained peaceful
 Trouble with the negroes started TnnrS09V yxho their first pay for work done at the station. They discovered that the company had deducted sS in a lump sum from their wages for the trans portation north instead of collecting the bill by taking out s1 a week m confOrmance with the agreement made when they were hired. The gang refused to go to work yesterday morning but finally agreed to go back if they were paid in full for their services. The money was sent here in the afternoon and the demands of the strikers were satisfied Instead, of returning to work, however, the darkeys came to the center to get rid of the money. Fancy shirts and shoes in the window of one of the stores attracted their attention and they bought practically the entire stock of the proprietor. The bal ance they invested In gin
 Some of them originally decided to save part of their pay for a rainy day and they opened accounts with the postal savings bank, making smar deposits. Growing envious of the newly purchased attire of their friends, however, they withdrew the money during the afternoon and