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Story
December 7, 1884
New York Dispatch
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
In a New York tenement, John Boyle was acquitted of assaulting janitor Michael Ellis after a fight stemming from Ellis's wife blocking Boyle's sister's coal delivery via elevator, highlighting janitors' alleged monopolies on tenant purchases.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
Tyranny in Flats.
Where the Janitor Is a Bigger Man Than the Landlord.
John Boyle pleaded not guilty to assaulting Michael Ellis, janitor of the flats, No. 345 East Fifty-ninth street. Ellis said he went out on the stoop to see if it was time to put out the hall light. Boyle was there and addressing him said, "What kind of a wife have you got?" He replied that it was none of his business, he did not live there. Boyle then struck him, the stitches were still in his face and could be seen.
In reply to counsel, he said he was night watchman in the building. He did not know who the man was, but his sister lived in the building. Mr. Ellis had charge of the building as janitor.
"You don't know your wife had difficulty with his sister in relation to passing coal up the elevator?"
"No."
"She gives permission to a certain dealer to sell coal, and the tenants must buy of him?"
"I deny it."
"That is the fact," said counsel. "Wasn't the boy carrying the coal, ordered to put it on the elevator, and your wife refused permission to put it on to be carried up?"
"That man (defendant) wasn't there at the time."
"Your wife wouldn't allow a pail of coal to go up on the elevator because she didn't deal with a certain man of your choosing."
Mr. Ellis made no answer.
"It is a fact," said counsel, that janitors abuse their trust in this way."
Defendant said he visited his sister's house. He was in the habit of calling on her. His sister went to the grocery and ordered a bushel of coal. Mrs. Ellis would not allow the coal to be put on the elevator. When his sister went to put the coal on the elevator, Mrs. Ellis grabbed her by the throat and tried to choke her. Leaving the house in the evening he asked Mr. Ellis why his sister could not have her coal sent up the elevator. Mr. Ellis said that was none of his business. He didn't pay the rent. Both put up hands at the same time and he got in on the mouth of Mr. Ellis and Ellis got the worst of the fight.
Mr. Ellis denied striking the first blow.
Mr. Boyle said that wasn't the fault of Mr. Ellis he was short in the reach. He told him to stop abusing his sister Mr. Ellis said he didn't want to hear him The court acquitted Boyle.
It is said to be the custom in flats for janitors to compel the inmates to buy from their butcher milkman, groceryman, and baker, from whom the janitors get a percentage which spins up the income.
Where the Janitor Is a Bigger Man Than the Landlord.
John Boyle pleaded not guilty to assaulting Michael Ellis, janitor of the flats, No. 345 East Fifty-ninth street. Ellis said he went out on the stoop to see if it was time to put out the hall light. Boyle was there and addressing him said, "What kind of a wife have you got?" He replied that it was none of his business, he did not live there. Boyle then struck him, the stitches were still in his face and could be seen.
In reply to counsel, he said he was night watchman in the building. He did not know who the man was, but his sister lived in the building. Mr. Ellis had charge of the building as janitor.
"You don't know your wife had difficulty with his sister in relation to passing coal up the elevator?"
"No."
"She gives permission to a certain dealer to sell coal, and the tenants must buy of him?"
"I deny it."
"That is the fact," said counsel. "Wasn't the boy carrying the coal, ordered to put it on the elevator, and your wife refused permission to put it on to be carried up?"
"That man (defendant) wasn't there at the time."
"Your wife wouldn't allow a pail of coal to go up on the elevator because she didn't deal with a certain man of your choosing."
Mr. Ellis made no answer.
"It is a fact," said counsel, that janitors abuse their trust in this way."
Defendant said he visited his sister's house. He was in the habit of calling on her. His sister went to the grocery and ordered a bushel of coal. Mrs. Ellis would not allow the coal to be put on the elevator. When his sister went to put the coal on the elevator, Mrs. Ellis grabbed her by the throat and tried to choke her. Leaving the house in the evening he asked Mr. Ellis why his sister could not have her coal sent up the elevator. Mr. Ellis said that was none of his business. He didn't pay the rent. Both put up hands at the same time and he got in on the mouth of Mr. Ellis and Ellis got the worst of the fight.
Mr. Ellis denied striking the first blow.
Mr. Boyle said that wasn't the fault of Mr. Ellis he was short in the reach. He told him to stop abusing his sister Mr. Ellis said he didn't want to hear him The court acquitted Boyle.
It is said to be the custom in flats for janitors to compel the inmates to buy from their butcher milkman, groceryman, and baker, from whom the janitors get a percentage which spins up the income.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Assault Trial
Janitor Dispute
Coal Delivery
Tenant Abuse
Court Acquittal
What entities or persons were involved?
John Boyle
Michael Ellis
Mrs. Ellis
Where did it happen?
No. 345 East Fifty Ninth Street
Story Details
Key Persons
John Boyle
Michael Ellis
Mrs. Ellis
Location
No. 345 East Fifty Ninth Street
Story Details
John Boyle assaulted janitor Michael Ellis after a dispute where Ellis's wife refused to allow Boyle's sister to use the elevator for coal delivery, leading to a physical altercation. Boyle claimed self-defense and was acquitted by the court.