African Americans -- New York (State) -- New York; Riots -- New York (State) -- New York
Richard C. Creech, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he resides
at No. 137 West 53rd Street. That on Wednesday morning, August 15th,
1900, he had been to visit a friend at No. 312 West 45th Street, and
left there at about 10:45 P. M. and walked to 8th Avenue,
and had reached the corner of 8th Avenue and 45th Street, when he was
set upon by a gang of rioters, and assaulted by them. That he shouted
"Police!" and seeing two officers on the east side of the avenue,
corner of 45th Street, he ran towards them when he saw them coming
towards him and slackened his pace, thinking that they were coming to
his assistance. When they came up to him, without saying a word, they
commenced clubbing him, and knocked him unconscious on the sidewalk.
He lay there unconscious for some time, he does not know exactly how
long, but when he came to he found one of the policeman standing over
him, and when he scrambled to his feet the policeman said, "Well, you
black son of a b----, I guess you will be good now, won't you? Get
out of here as quick as you can!" He then went towards Broadway, and
on Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets engaged a cab to take him
home, and when he arrived home found that his pocketbook, containing
thirty-six dollars in money and a pawnticket for a watch, was gone.
He also lost his hat and an umbrella. He sent for his physician, Dr.
Robert L. Cooper, 156 West 53rd Street, who took three stitches in his
scalp and dressed other wounds on his arm and hand, the result of the
clubbing.
RICHARD C. CREECH.
Sworn to before me this 1st day of September, 1900.
GEO. P. HAMMOND, JR., Notary Public (164), N. Y. County.
----
_City and County of New York, ss._:
Duncan James, of No. 238 West 40th Street, engaged in business at 84
and 86 Greene Street, care of G. Blum & Brother, being duly sworn,
says: On Wednesday, August 15th, I left the store and went to my tutor
at West 124th Street. I left there at ten P. M., and when I
reached 43rd Street and 8th Avenue three men jumped on the car and
struck me in the face. Passengers advised me not to get off at 40th
Street. When I arrived at 34th Street men saw me on the car, and when
it reached 33rd Street the car stopped suddenly and everybody jumped
off. The car was surrounded by a mob. I had no weapon or protection
but a cane. I kept them off the best I could. About twelve officers
came and took me from the mob. They took me about one hundred and fifty
feet from 8th Avenue in 33rd Street West, and as they turned me loose
the officers pounded me severely with clubs over my head, arms, and
shoulders, telling me to run. I had then lost my hat, cane, and books.
I went back to my teacher's house and stayed all night. I was the only
negro man there. In West 33rd Street a man gave me a hat. I could find
him. I begged the officers to lock me up for protection, and they would
not. Dr. Swinburne treated me.
DUNCAN JAMES.
Sworn to before me this 31st day of August, 1900.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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