This page was created by Anonymous. The last update was by Stephen Robertson.
Sam Lefkowitz's store looted
The only evidence of the looting was the store's appearance in stories about the first twenty white business owners filing claims for damages published in the New York Sun, New York World-Telegram, New York American, and New York Amsterdam News. By the time the city comptroller heard testimony from those bringing suit, 106 owners had sought damages. Lefkowitz was not among those whose testimony appeared in newspaper stories about that proceeding, nor did he appear in any of the trials to resolve claims. No one among those arrested for looting was identified as taking goods from this business.
The claim for $1,610.64 in losses was above the median claim of $733, one of the just over a third of the claims that was for more than $1,000 but well short of the largest claim of $14,125. The city lost the court cases, so Lefkowitz likely was awarded some amount of damages, but based on those cases, it was only a small proportion. It is not clear if he was able to remain in business. The MCCH business survey did not include a business at 2147 7th Avenue in the second half of 1935. The Tax Department photograph was taken from too far away to identify the businesses at the address in 1939–1941.
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This page references:
- "Claim $38,000 Riot Damages," New York Sun, April 23, 1935 [clipping].
- "Harlem Riot Claims," New York American, April 24, 1935 [clipping].
- "$38,000 Sought in Harlem Riot," New York World-Telegram, April 23, 1935 [clipping]
- "Owners Want Riot Damages," New York Amsterdam News, June 1, 1935, 18.
- 2143-2151 7th Avenue, c. 1939-1941.