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Our Historical Archives
San Francisco Call Bulletin
January 7, 1907. This article is reprinted below.
Rioting Greeks May Go Back to Work
Laborers Not to Lose Jobs on One Man Was Killed and a Account of Riot in Which Mission Saloon Wrecked
The Greek laborers to the number of 1341 who rioted on Valencia street yesterday and sought the life of their foreman, Maurice Buckley, of
471 Fell street, will not be discharged from the pay roll of United Railroads. Thornwell Mullally, vice-president of the company, announces
that all will be allowed to return to work.
One man lies dead at the Morgue, a saloon on Valencia street, near Sixteenth, is wrecked and three men are held at the Mission Police Station
as a result of yesterday's disturbance. The dead man was killed by a cobblestone which was meant for Foreman Buckley.
The riot was caused by the discharge of two men, William Christ, the interpreter of the gang, and Markos Rouhatos, the dead man. Shortly before
1 o'clock the men quit their work of tearing up the cable slot on Valencia street at Sixteenth and gathered around Christ, who harrangued then
on the subject of his discharge until they were worked into a frenzy.
Suddenly they made a rush for Foreman Buckley, some with drawn stilletos, others with coblestones. One stone hurled at him missed its mark and
felled Rouhatos. He lay unconscious until the riot was over and then, on being removed to the City and County Hospital, he was found to be dead.
Buckley broke through the mob and fled to the open door of a saloon conducted by M.H. Bishop at 449 Valencia street. He rushed in and while the
bartender took refuge in the cellar he held the door against the mob, armed only with a sledge hammer.
His resolute front kept the Greeks at bay, but they hurled cobblestones until the saloon was wrecked, the walls and windows being smashed and the
cash register and glassware broken to pieces. None of the missles hit Buckley.
Policeman Thomas Smith and W.W. Wilson appeared on the scene before blood was shed and the mob began to disperse while a riot call was sent in
to the Mission station. When Captain Anderson appeared at the head of the posse the riot was over.
Rouhatos, the dead man, was removed ot the hospital, while Buckely, Christ, and Nicholas Petrator, the Greek foreman of the gang, were taken
to the station.
Detectives Graham, Smith, and Burke have been detailed to investigate the affair. Among other things they will try to endeavor, to ascertain is
who stole $25.75 from the cash register of the saloon while Buckley held the mob at bay.
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