New Britain herald., 1916-04-24
FIVE BLACK EYES
 IS EASTER TOLL
Week-End Battles Crowd Cells at
 Police Headquarters

A motley aSSem blaze greeted Judge James T. Meskill this Easter Monday morning and that the peace ful Easter Sabbath was not as calm and tranquil as it should have been became apparent as the prisoners and witnesses filed into the court room. Five of them had black eyes and others bore other sundry marks of the weekend battles. 1t was un- usual that there was not a single drunk in court today.
 Contempt Charge Threatened.
 Mary Askofski, a witness in one fight case, at first refused to testify in the English language. Prosecutor I<lett knew she was bluffing however, for earlier she had talked to him in English and had also acted as an in- terpreter. It was necessary to threaten the woman with arrest for contempt of court before she would consent to talk intelligently.
 Jealousy Breeds Trouble.
 Michael Ruski of Bridgeport who came here yesterday to visit his cousin, Mrs. Stashia BeEemezie, Wadislaw Bancoski, Mike Giba and Alec Pluta were arrested by Officers oooSh ofC AhoolC clIQ IAl1ISs dSSlotCo by Supernumerary Officer OLeary and Daniel Cosgrove, who hopes some day to be a policeman, follow ing a fierce free for all fight at 151 Broad street yesterday noon. Evi- dcnce introduced by Mary Oskofski and Stashia Bellemezie showed that Bancoski and Giba, were jealous of the cordial reception given the Bridgeport man. Witnesses said Eancoski had previously threatened to show Ruski "how New Britain men fight" and made good his threat. Mrs. Bellemezie testified that Ban coski made a rush at Ruski with a carving knife and she stepped be- tween them, getting slashed across the hand for her troubles and Ruski however, did not seem averse to the melee and when the police arrived on the horizon he fled up Silver street, where he was caught. Lawyer F. B. Hungerford appeared for Bancoski, Giba and Pluta. The last named was discharged as he did not take part in the scrap. Bancoski and Glba were fined $7 and costs. The Bridgeport fighter was fined $1O and costs.
 A Little ''Pride of Race"
 When Ruski was brought to the police station yesterday he exclaimed proudly to Chief Rawlings: Well, I've just licked four Polocks You know I'm a Russian!'
 Motorcycles Had no license. Joseph Mangola of East Bristol was charged with a violation of the motor vehicle law. Saturday morn ing he had a blowout on Main street and when Officer Rival looked in his direction he saw the front number plates attached upside down. Asked for his license, Magnolia was unable to produce it. He told the court he forgot to bring it with him. He said Joseph Soli of 5S Lafayette street gave him Raymond c. Murtha's license when he bought his cycle Friday morning and said it would be all right The accused was ordered to pay the costs of court.
 Fight on Winter Street
 William Miska and Mike Gerela were charged with assaulting each ether and admitted the charge. The fight took place on Winter street and (. cast iron stove shaker was wielded by Gerela, inf1icting a bad wound ever Miskas eye. Miska is said ito have used a knife The men were arrested by Detective Bamforth and Officers Wagner and c. Johnson. Mrs. Gercla and Miska are related by marriage and the affair seemed to be family row. Miska fled before the police arrived, but said he did so only because he was too proud to be driven through the streets in the patrol wagon on Easter Sunday. Gerela was placed on probation with suspended Judgment and Miska was fined $20 and costs.
 Another Fight Recorded.
 Joseph Wizoskoski and Michael Honegki were also charged with as saulting each other. The battle was a bloody one and Joseph was badly used up. Officer Mccarthy made the arrest on Smalley street. Mikes head was cut and he blamed Joseph for all the trouble and said he slashed him with a knife. Joseph said Mike and one other man attacked him and he used 2, stone not q knife. Joseph was fined S2O and Mike was dis charged.