Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Nazi Freed, Jew Held on Charge of Assault After Bronx Fracas

November 18, 1934
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Emil Seibert, 27, of 65 Teasdale place, Bronx, uniformed “storm trooper” for the Friends of New Germany, was dismissed in Bronx Magistrate’s Court Friday on a felonious assault charge arising from a Nazi outbreak Thursday night, because in Judge Frank Oliver’s opinion the case simmered down to a question of one man’s word against another’s.

Sol Ekelchek, 25, of 1473 Crotona parkway, Bronx, member of the Claremont Benevolent Association, fifty of whose members engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter late Thursday night with approximately 600 of the Nazi Friends, was released in $350 bail on charges of attempted felonious assault and larceny of an automobile radiator cap. His case will be heard in Magistrate’s Court November 21.

Ekelchek is accused of having removed the radiator cap from a parked car and having hurled it past the ear of Patrolman Bart Sweeney, who arrested him and is pressing the complaint.

Seibert, exonerated Friday, had been accused by David Wallach of 1475 Grand Concourse, Bronx, another Claremonter, of having attacked him with a wooden club after a rally of the Friends at Ebling’s Casino, 156th street and St. Ann’s avenue, Bronx, after the Claremont and Nazi groups had ended simultaneous meetings in that building.

Wallach told Sergeant John Hannigan he was descending the stairs when Seibert attacked him. Subsequently, police say, Wallach’s associates angered by the purported assault, began hurling variout missiles at the Nazi contingent. A frenzied, hand-to-hand battle ensued.

Nazi leaders charged Friday that the Claremont meeting had been called for the express purpose of creating a disturbance and breaking up the Friends’ meeting. They pointed out that the press had been informed beforehand of the impending outbreak.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement