Showdown At The Blue Bird Inn

In 1946 there was a little spot in Riverhead called “The Blue Bird Inn,” a nightclub located on Flanders Road in the heart of the African American community.

Popular musicians of the day would often meet at the Blue Bird Inn. And if audiences were lucky, they’d be up all night listening to live music from some of the most talented artists in the area.

Many of the musicians known to gather at the Blue Bird Inn went on to become well-known artists of the day. Folks came from New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Islip, Huntington and other parts of the island to listen to talented musicians play jazz and the blues.

By 1946 the Blue Bird Inn had opened a kitchen and was serving food along with alcohol and the great music. At this time, there was a large duck farm in the eastern section of Riverhead Village, owned and operated by Mr. Hollis Warner. The duck farm employed a large number of African American workers and many of those workers ended up at the Bluebird Inn on weekends.

It was on a Saturday night in March of 1946 when two workers from the duck farm entered the Bluebird Inn and had a fatal encounter with the manager, Mr. Merriwell Fitzgerald.

Mr. Fitzgerald was born in 1909 on a small farm in Pittsylvania, Virginia and was affectionately known as “Cub,” most likely referring to the fact that he was the youngest in his family.

His father, Samuel Fitzgerald, was a farmer, according to the 1900 census report, which was quite an accomplishment for an African American in 1900. Although Samuel Fitzgerald could neither read nor write, he was obviously an intelligent and resourceful man.

It was in the late 1880s that Samuel Fitzgerald met a woman named Queenie. They were married in 1892 and by 1909 Queenie Fitzgerald had given birth to six children, the youngest being Merriwell.

Mr. Fitzgerald and his siblings grew up on the farm in Virginia. He resided there for much of his life. But in March of 1943, he married and enlisted in the Army. After surviving service to his country, “Cub” would meet an untimely death on the East End of Long Island, working as a manager for the Blue Bird Inn.

On Saturday March 30, 1946, at approximately 11 p.m., Joseph and Leroy Flemming, two brothers working for Hollis Warner’s Duck Farm, decided to head over to the Blue Bird Inn. They were carrying a bottle of liquor they had purchased earlier in the day and planned to order “set ups” once they arrived.

When the Flemming brothers approached the bar that night, Mr. Fitzgerald asked them what they wanted to drink. They replied they wanted “ice and set-ups,” which the bar manager refused.

A hot argument ensued. According to the police report, the Flemming brothers were ordered out of the establishment. The brothers dared Mr. Fitzgerald to come outside and settle the matter.

Several patrons followed the ruckus outside and watched. The witnesses said that they saw the Flemming brothers stab Mr. Fitzgerald in the chest, then jump into a Ford vehicle and flee the scene.

Mr. Fitzgerald later died from those wounds while en route to the doctor’s office.

An “all-points bulletin” was immediately issued by the State Police in Flanders. It wasn’t long before the Flemming brothers were apprehended.

On July 25, 1946, the Flemming brothers were both found guilty of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to not less then five but not more then 20 years in Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York.

The attorney for the Flemming brothers argued for leniency, pointing out that both men had good reputations and came from a well respected family. The judge agreed and gave the brothers credit for time served.

With good behavior the Flemming brothers would have a chance at release after serving four years, unfortunately, their victim would not get a second chance.

On October 23, 1953, the Blue Bird burned down. Though the building is long gone, its bar manager is not forgotten.