Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-04-21
-FOUR FIGHTS, WITH
ONE NEARLY A RIOT.
ON LOOPS STREETS
BUSTED NOSES, BLACkENED
EYES AND ONE A HOSPITAL
CASE SCORE OF SATURDAY
NiGHT-No ARRESTS MADE.

Street brawls, which have been
growing with succeeding weeks. until
last Saturday night they reached the
proportions of small sized riot. cul.
minated in half dozen blackened
eyes, one youth being taken to the
hospital to have his bruises patched
up and no arrests.
Four different fights, in one of which
more than score of youth partici-
pated, occurred during the late hours
OF saturday and early hours of Easter
morning. All took place within the
loop. With the exception Of the one
rloter-whO halls from Streator-
being taken to the hospital for re
pairs, no record exists of who took
part in the vrawls or what lay behind
them. The fact is none the less true
that La Sale street during different
periods of the late evening was an
unsafe place for the citys peaceful
citizenry This is attested by attacks
made upon one or two men who hap.
pened to be on the streets in the i'm.
mediate vicinity Of the fights. but
who were in nowise parties to the dis
orders until they We're attacked One
of these innocent bystanders was di-
rectly responsible for at least five
bad men biting the dust and awaken.
ing a little later on wondering who
slipped them dream pin.
I'm all four different Gsticuffs were
reported, the major event having its
inception at the corner Of La Sale
and Jackson streets. From there it
moved down to La Sale ana Jefferson,
and later found another battle ground
across the street, Twenty youths
ranging in age from u to II, were in
the melee officer Jesse Holmes, WhC
was called to quell the Insurance
fosnd himself outnumbered and was
unabel to cope with the situation un
assisted. 1t was then the above men
toned peacefully inclined persons
topped in to his aid and were mis- .
taken for members OF the opposing |.
gang When fists started their way
.ha peaceful gentry raised the mora /
orium and paid back with compound |
interest ell they had received
A second disturbance cropped out /
IN Main street among a squad Oh Ear ,
,ille and sheridan disturbers. who, /
coming ont Of the arid zones for a .
visit to the Ottawa oasis, dipped too .
reely in the cup that imbihe5 and 1.
heu-as is usually the case--Barley- /
,Orn began speaking for them. As is /
lis bent disputes were followed by
recommendations which made settling
If honOrs imperative.
A third bust-out came when a Strea.
or youth. the one taken 10 the hos
,itaI treSpassed upon an OttaWan's
owe affair This brought challenges
md later a duel with fists. The
'treatorite is home now, but it will
AXE him a week or so before he is
BILE to leave il without having to
uffer the banter Of his fellow men.
Who are sure to ask him about
smoked lamps" bent heezers, al
cred maps ad intnetum,
The conditions Saturday night eli
laXed a growing mania for making
OWntown streets in OttaW the stamp
ng grounds for all of the county
inclined. The fighters
elect the week end for their little
fairs but another Saturday night
= two will find the citizens banded in
little league of nations all their own
0 bring order out of chaos unless
ONE official steps are taken at once
} clean up the disgusting nuisance.
Arrest Four Drunks.
Four drunks were picked UP by the
oice over Easter. This morning they
'ere lined up before Judge Koenig,
nd three were fined So and costs,
lille one was chased out of town
'els Hanson Of Chicago, Jack Rab-
Ock of the Federal Plate addition and
young man giving his name as
almer and his home as near Ottawa
ere each assessed Sc 50. while Ben
eddigan, an inmate of the county
arm. was ordered to keep out of
)wn
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