Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1892 — RIOT CAUSED BY A WOMAN [ARTICLE]

RIOT CAUSED BY A WOMAN

Deadly Street Fight Between Graders and Italians at Wenatchee, Wash. An Immoral Women Deserts Her Compan • lon for a More Lucky Gambler and a Row Ensues. A terrible riot, occurred at Wenatcheo, Wash., Friday night, and for three hours the town was in control of a mob of frenzied graders. Wenatchee is a town about one hundred miles west of hero on the Great Northern; Railroad. The trouble was'started by the luck of a drunken garablor named Thomas Guilland. He worked on the Great Northern grade at intervals through the summer. About once In six weeks he would quit work and comeTST Wenatchee to spend all his money on a wild carousal. So long as he had money ho would visit French Anuie’s place, one of the tonghest dives in the town, and spend nearly ail of his time with one of its ii m ites, known here as Susettc. For the last month she had been living with Gnissoppe Vaco, a faro dealer, who Is a sqyt of king among the Italians here; and, is said to have boon driven from New Orleans for his part in the Mafia murders. Guilland quit work a weok ago and caiue to Wenatchee, getting drunk the gone, and he has been loafing since.' Last night ho was paid an old debt of sl2, and about 8 o'clock began to play craps and drink whisky. He played in luck and quit the game with $240. He next played poker, and about 11 o’clock started for Vaco’s faro bank with nearly $2,001 in his pockets Hero he continued to play recklessly. Finally Guilland threw ail his money on the table in a heap and bet on the queen and ace. Whon his pile was counted it was found to contain $5,080. Vaco took tiie bet. Guilland won. Vaco paid, but it broke the bank. Susctte heard the news and started to the gambling room, saying she was gofng to the man wiio had luck. Vaco met her and would not let her pass. Guilland pushed him aside, walking off with the woman. Before they had gouo a block a dozen Italians, led by Vaco, surroiiudod them, and while some attacked Guilland the rest tried to carry away the woman. Guilland fought liko a tiger, knocking down two or three with his fist before he could draw his gun. The screams of the woman brought a crowd of men from all sides, and bauds of graders rushed to their comrade’s rescue. Vaco gave a peculiar whistle and in a moment the streot was filled with Italians, somo but half dressed and armed with knives, clubs and stones The railroad men gathered In a group, with Guilland and the womau in the confer and began to retreat slowly, firing as they went aud calling for help a* they fell back. Others joined thorn and finally tlioy made a stand in front of a saloon. Thu Italians pressed them closely at first, and many fights occurred, but when the graders opened liro they gave way until there was a space of twenty feet between the two parties. Across this space stones, clubs, and brick bats flew in u regular *lou<l, llioso who were knocked dowp being carried to the rear of the mob. Throe graders who had been stabbed with long knives were carried in to the saloon aud the woman was spirited away in the darkness. About ten minutes utter the graders had made their Sjaml a hand of twenty Italians charged on them from the rear ami those at the oilier side closed in at the time. For a moment it seemed as If the railroaders would ho wiped out, hut the hot lire forced the Italians to fall hack in confnston. Before they could ratty the railroad men were reinforced by nearly fifty men whocume down a side street on the run. The Italians foil bu*k several blocks, carrying tlinir wounded. Both parties gradually broke up into small bands and scattered t trough the town! The feud continued until dawn, when both parties scattered and got out of sight. In the Alabama Legislature bills have been introduced to tax dealers In cigarettes $ ;00 a year, and to prohibit the smoking Of cigarettes lu public places.