Trending
120 Years Ago, 1906 transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:
"Gamblers are at outs, O'Brien is arrested. Assault with intent to kill the charge against him. Factions fight. Disgraceful condition of affairs permitted to exist - it's time for an investigation."
"Frank I. O'Brien, who conducts a saloon and gambling resort at 332 West Federal Street, is in serious trouble and all because Joe Sweeney got to him for $180 by switching the hyronemus dice and ringing in 'phoneys.'
"Like all men of his class O'Brien could not stand the gaff and when he was declared a loser, it is said, he squealed like a stuck porker. He thought he had been given the wrong end of the deal and thirsted for revenge so gathering his trusted body guard together he started out after the men he accused of flim-flamming him.
"It seems that the gamblers of the city are divided into factions very much like the board of education and the board of service. There is the 'Ring' crowd, the Chestnut Street 'gang' and the Phelps Street 'dudes.' Likewise the hotel 'boarders' and the Robbins-Claypock 'Assets.' O'Brien is captain of the 'Ring' crowd, and he accused the Chestnut Street boys of putting up the job on him which separated him from his coin.
"Joe Sweeney was the man who got the money, but O'Brien said Jack McCarty had aided the former alleged safe blower in getting to him. Therefore O'Brien, Jim Sweeney and Tom Bray armed themselves and started after the Chestnut Street gang. Joe Sweeney saw them coming and ducked and Chief McDowell who heard of the disturbance created by O'Brien and his hangers-on swore out warrants for their arrest….
"Later O'Brien, Jim Sweeney and Bray were all arrested for disturbance on warrant and were taken to [the] police station by a squad of officers headed by Captain Sam Armstrong. O'Brien and Bray were released on small deposits but it was learned that they had gone to the East End Tuesday morning and beaten up Mike Gerrity, a member of the Chestnut Street crowd. O'Brien is alleged to have flashed a revolver and another of his party a blackjack….
"There is a sensational back story of this affair which should be investigated. It is alleged that O'Brien and his cohorts believe they control the situation in this city and can carry on their nefarious business without fear of prosecution. If this is true, law-abiding citizens believe it is time the grand jury should investigate and take a decided stand to suppress such open violation of the law….
"According to Chief McDowell the attack of Mike Gerrity was the boldest and most brutal affair pulled off in this city in many years.
"Gerrity and a friend named Hogan were on their way home and O'Brien and his gang waited for them in East Federal Street near a lumber yard. When Gerrity and Hogan came along the other men jumped on Gerrity and he was struck on the head with a brick and knocked down, whereupon the assailants kicked him until he was unconscious. Then they turned their attention to Hogan, and it is alleged O'Brien stuck a revolver against Hogan's back and marched him to Watt Street. He was asked where he lived and told his captors. They told him he had better get home as quickly as possible and if he dared breathe of the attack on Gerrity to the police they would kill him.
"Gerrity was found lying in the street and was taken to his home. He was cared for by physicians who said his condition was serious. He was black and blue from head to foot and there were a number of wounds on his head."
-- Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society