The New York herald., 1922-05-09
SIX BYSTANDERS HIT
AS ASGANGSTERSSHOOT
in BOOTLEGGERF FEUD
Four Men, Two Women Shot
Within Block of Police
Headquarters.
CATCH ONE GANGMAN
Five Start Shooting With
out Warming in Grand
Street Crowd.
TRACE WAR TO MURDER
Police Believe Outbreak Was
Result Of Killing of
Joe Peppe.
TRACE WAR TO MURDER

Five men paused late Yesterday
afternoon In homegoing crowds in
Grand street between Mulberry and
Mott and within block of Police
Headquarters and began shooting at
each other with pistols. They fired
some thirty shots, throwing the neigh
borEood into an uproar and bringing
scores of patrolmen, detectives and
high police officials from Headquar-
ters. When the battle was ended the
gunmen had shot four men and two
women, but had not harmed each
other. All escaped but one, who was
caught after chase of two blocks
The police said they had not for
many years seen that section Of the
East Side give way to such excite
ment. Men, women and children
poured from tenements and small
stores along Mulberry and Mott streets
at the sound of the first sEot jam
ming Grand street from curb to curb
and making it difficult for ambulances
to get through. Reserves from the
Oak street station were sent from
Headquarters. 1t was an hour before
the police dispersed the crowds.
Detectives declare the battle was al
cutgrowth OF the murder eight months
ago of bootlegger known as Diamond
Joe Peppe. who was shot and killed
ir pistol duel in Broome street. Ac-
| inf- N fhavv he
day. Joseph Masseria of 80 Second ave-
nue.. was one of the crowd in the
Broome street cafe when Peppe began
shooting at the men who killed him.
They believe also that yesterdays shoot
ing might be connected with the killing
OF Vincent Morelli early yesterday in
front of 251 East 116th street.
Had Pistol Permit.
The detectives said that idasserIa in
whose pocket was found pistol per-
nit signed by Justice Selah b. Strong
of the Supreme Coui,, was walking in
Grand street and stopped in front OF
store at No. 100, when he saw three men
coming toward him. These men also
saw Masserla and his companion and
1914 Grand street. Each of the five drew
gun and began shooting.
The first bullet lodged in the back OF
Miss Fannie Kahn. 1S. a stenographer,
OF IS Orchard street. She stumbled into
stationery store. where she fell un-
conscious. About tho same time Fred
erico Petruzziello. a street cleaner. Of.
i54 Mott street, came out OF cafe at
Mulberry and Grand street and was
wounded In the righ. shoulder and left
nand
Petruzziello ran back into the cafe
just as the gunmen tired shots that
struck Clara Nathanson. 90. paper box
worker Of 141 Monroe street, twice in
the right leg, and others that hit Mat
teo Suriano of Chrystie street in the
left foot.
Two hours after the battle the ooice
learned tina. Silvio Tagliogamoe had
staggered into his home I'm 64 Fast
Fourth street with bullet in his back.
He told detectives who sent him TO Bel
levue Hospital he was shot as he was
passing Grand and Mulberry street ami
that his friends took him home in
taxicab.
The sixth victim OF the gunmen was
discovered about 9 o'clock when George
s. Steingrasser. painter OF 24S East
Seventy-second street. appeared in
Bellevue Hospital and asked for treat
ment for bullet wounds in his left arm
and leg. He told Detectives Rowan and
Roy Of the Oak street police station, he
was walking through Grand street when
the shooting occurred. and that when he
found he was hit he went home in a
taxicab.
Pursued by Detectives.
Just before the shooting began De-
tectives Joseph Coonan and Frank
Demarsico crossed Grand street and
turned up Mulberry. They had gone
but few feet when they heard the
shots They ran back. and as they
drew their guns and called to the gun
men 10 stop the five took to their
heels. Two OF them ran up Mulberry
street pursued by the detectives. the
others lodged into tenements or ran
down Grand street and escaped. Mas
seria was caught when Detective Tracy
drove an automobile across the side
walk and blocked his path.
Inspector John Coughlffi and Capt
Arthur Carey questioned Masseria In
Headquarters. Finger prints proved he
was arrested last year for homicide
years IN 1918 for burglary, and twice
has received suspended sentences for
burglary and attempted extortion. In
spite OF this record however. he had
In his pocket police permit signed by
Justice Strong, dated January %. 1922
and with this notation: unlimited per-
nit"
Moreili. who owned the Harvard Inn
In Coney Island. was shot with n sawed
off shotgun when on his way home.
Four years ago his brother Nicholas
was killed in a similar manner in
Brooklyn. He was a friend OF Peppe,
also known as Joe Viserti. and that IL
another reason why detectives believe
the shooting last night was the out
growth OF the Peppe feud.
CONAN DOyIE-"Thc New Revelation" |
Ca rneEie Hall. Tomorrow Eve. At s:30.-Adu. !