Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1896 — ITALIANS SHOW FIGHT. [ARTICLE]

ITALIANS SHOW FIGHT.

Attempt to Break Out of the Depor* tation Pen aL, Kills Island. - Tt was one continuous round of excitement on Ellis island Tuesday. Twice a large body of Italians, held for deportation, made desperate attempts to escape from their place of imprisonment, and but for th 6 courage and alertness of the few keepers nnd inspectors who had them in charge riot and bloodshed might have resulted. It was shortly after 10 o’clock when the-first outbreak occurred. There .were 250 savage looking men, mostly Italians, shut inside the “to be deported” pen oh the second floor of the main building. Suddenly there was a murmur among them. It increased to a growl and to a howl of defiance and rage. Hundreds of sunburnt, dirty hands tried to tear open the wire work of the pen. It began to bend and in a moment more would have given way had not the keepers rushed up and down outside, pounding the protruding fingers. Dr. Senner early in the day realized th« gravity of the situation. He telegraphed to Washington that he must have more heip. Just when all seemed peace the Arizona, the steamer which takes the immigrants from Ellis island to the battery, steamed in. As the released immigrant* ran to board her some of them shouted to the throng of ’’detained.” In a moment all was excitement again. A fierce rush was made. Savage blows were struck at the officials, and more than one knife was drawn in the crowd. The officials went at the undisciplined mob fiercely, and after a few minutes' fighting tbs little knot of breathless oflicers had the crowd subdued.