A Razor and a Riot in Seattle's Tenderloin

The tenderloin district awoke from its long sleep yesterday, and there was enough slashing with knives and free-for-all fighting to last for a month. No fatal cases were reported, but if the public had not turned out in numbers to quell the disturbance in the Columbus saloon, at the corner of South Third and Washington streets, serious trouble would have occurred. As it was, the officers had an interesting 'scrap' with part of the crowd and were compelled to resort to force to quell the disturbance and make arrests.

The real cause of the trouble has been lost in the many conflicting versions. The saloon, which is known as an Italian resort and conducted by Italians, was crowded with people. Some of them had been drinking, and out of an argument arose a quarrel which culminated in a knock-down and drag-out fight. Gradually, one by one, members of the crowd got inspirited in the row until the saloon was the scene of a regular mob battle. Wild words were spoken, fists were brandished in the air and then landed on somebody's neck or face. Collars and neckties were torn from their fastenings and thrown on the floor. A razor made its appearance in the hands of an angry man, but in the swaying mass there was no opportunity to use it. Near the bar one man had another at close quarters and was industriously engaged in chewing his ear. Every now and then there would be a rush for the front door, and some unfortunate not in favor with the most powerful faction would come sailing out on the sidewalk, landing on his head, which was usually covered with blood. One middle-aged man was fired out bodily, and the old expression of a 'door accompaniment' was literally true. Then a man rushed out of the saloon, and before the man could rise, commenced to punish him for all he was worth. Ed Flocuz rushed up at this point and drove the aggressor back into the saloon.

In the midst of this a large crowd collected on the street, and while they were calling for the police, Officers Grant and Huff entered the saloon from the rear and tried to restore order. Their efforts for a few moments were fruitless. The men were crowded into the room like sardines and paid no attention to the officers, who were finally compelled to fight their way through the mass of humanity to the point where the fight was fiercest.

When the officers attempted to make arrests the fury of the mob was turned on them, and for a short time pandemonium reigned. One man grabbed Officer Grant around the neck and tried to choke him, while others went at Huff in an equally savage manner. It had now come to a point of conquer or be conquered, and the officers sailed in to protect themselves. With one hand on a prisoner and in the other a club, they made things lively until there was a breathing space around them. Slowly they worked their way toward the door, surrounded by a howling mob, but each holding his prisoner despite the man's squirming and violent protestations.

At this point Sergeant Willard, Detective Phillips and Detective Wells, who had been summoned by James McKay, broke through the crowd and took a hand in the trouble. Detective Wells had one man by the coat collar and was pushing him toward the patrol box when somebody in the crowd tripped him. The prisoner made a desperate effort to get away, but Sergeant Willard jumped into the game and the play was with the officers.

The man who is supposed to be the leader in the row gave his name at police headquarters as Bill Kuhn. He is of middle age, thick set, and has a full beard. He was very active about the time the men were being thrown out of the saloon, and to a bystander it looked as if he was playing the 'bouncer.'

Michael Quinsh, the bartender, was also arrested. He declared that he was trying to quiet the row instead of helping it on. Joseph Dubah and Mike Fellah were also locked up. The police took the names of a large number of witnesses to the fight. The two men who were kicked and beaten took advantage of the confusion to make their escape.