The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-18
THE COAL TROUBLES.
Terrible Tragedy i'm Scran-
ton, Pm.
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Two Miners Murdered by q
Laborer.
Fearful Excitement Of the
Welsh Miners.
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reflects OF A DRUNKEN DEBAUCH.
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The Reduced Coal Tolls Over the
Reading Railroad.
REJECTS OF A DRUNKEN DEBAUcI.

Reading Railroad.
SCRANTON, Pa, May II, 1871.
terrible page in the history Of the coal troubles
has been furnished this afternoon. Mr.. w. w.
Scranton's EFFORT to work the Briggs mine at all
hazards has not met with the success anticipated.
II has at least been crowned with blood, and thai
young gentleman has succeeded In producing an
awful sensation, II nothing more.
FEARFUL TRAGEDY
was enacted about i've O'Clock and two innocent,
wel-disposed men hurried into the presence OF
their Maker without moments warning. The par
tculars of this fearful deed can be told Ia a few
words.
since Monday there has been an attempt to work
the Briggs shaft owned by the Lackawanna Coal
and Iron Company, OF which Mr.. w. ". Scranton Is
Superintendent and his father President and prln-
cipal owner. Twenty-Five men have been induced
10 enter the mine and were escorted to and from
their work by
MILITARY GUARD.
The novelty of this proceeding, combined with the
antipathy OF the miners TO backiegs and the preju.
dice which has been created among nationaiites by
the indiscreel course OF OF the supporters Of
the companies, has had the effect to draw
large portion OF the idle population
into the street to see the spectacle.
These have proved motley crowd or men, women
and Children and upon the appearance OF the black
legs they would be greeted by marks OF dsapproba-
tiOn. These scenes have been enacted morning and
evening since Monday There has been other
demonstrations made BY the miners who have been
greatly dlspleased at the men who have placed
themselves SO defanily In opposition to public
opinion, and it is not probable that any other would
take place. The men VINO have gone to work
have borne the jeers good-naturedly, and
n0 one doubts but the feeling excited
by this course would soon have died out
had they maintained the stolid indifference which
has marked their conduct up TO to-day. THIS morn
ing there was some difficulty at the SHAFT The fire.
man and engineer, 1t reported. stopped work. and
the mine stood idle. 1t seems that portion OF the
men were dong some work about the the premises
and were on their way home, having finished their
labor for the day. They were marching toward
Bellevue in the usual STYLE surrounded by soldiers
and armed themselves with musKets, when they
greeted with the customary testimonials OF de-
rfsiOn and contempt from crowd which had assem-.
bed near what is known as the Fellows Corner,n
near the main street In Hyde Park. When abou.
nifty feet from Main street or the aborers low
cred his musket and
FIRED INTO THE MASS MEN, WOMEN AND CHILL.
DREN.
The shot sped fatally on its way and two men fell
away with military honors. Tue names OF the IN
fortunate men are David Jones and Benjamin Davis,
Welshmen. They arc represented as being two OF
The most inofenslve men IN the community, and the
evidence Is overwhelming that they gave no provo
cation for the brutal cold blooded murder The one
bullet passed through the body Of one OF the men
and lodged In that o. the otter. One was shot
through the heart aud the other received the ball In
the region OF the stomach. They died almost In
stanty. The name OF the murderer is Kerrigan, or
Keonan, and he is known by the souoriQuet OF 1.-THE
Fenian." He is q wretch of the most desperate
character, and has been heard to threaten that he
would kin somebody before the trouble was over.
II Is inuma.ed that ne has been implicated in at
least one other murder IN his career.
A SCENE OF WILD CONFUSION
and excitement ensued as the terrible news spread
over the city. The Welsh in feriul state OF ex
of things VIII end. That the murder was unpro-
voked there does not exist doubt for was on the
spot within five minutes alter the event. and
gathered all the facts rom many witnesses Of the
scene. more cruel and bloody deed was never
execro Of he wncn has led
such terrible termination, and the Scrantons are
denounced In no measured terms. The blood OF the
murdered men must be upon the heads Of those VIII
between the Irish Welsh ii order that the cOrpo-
CRUSH OUT THE MINERS UNION.
The teachings OF the last six months have pro:
be held 70 strict accountability by our incensed and
outraged people.
the convention OF delegates was In session when
the dreadful AFFAIR occurred 1t was thought the
body would arrange matters so that work might at
once be resumed, but the memb RS we're forced to
adjourn in consequence OF the intense excitement
which prevailed.
Il Is rumored that the aborers at the Briggs shaft
have been literally supplied with liquor since Mon.
day in order to keep them at work and 1t Is thought
the murderer was drunk at the time he fired the
shot
The murderer Michael Kern, was captured this
evening at his haunt in Bellevue. No resistance
was made TO the arrest. The prisoner was taken be-
fore Alderman Jones, who Committed him 70 tie
county jail at Wilkesbarre.
eveaing, Alderman Jones acting as coro-
ner. Several witnesses testified as to the
events. their evidence, corroporatlng what has
he saw piece OF coal thrown over the squad
OF soldiers and laborers but could say that IL hit
AnyN0dr. Others testify that Mr. w. w. scranton
was at the head OF the armed party and heard him
give the order 10 fire. Such Is the burden OF the ties.
fm0ny thus far.
The inquest will be continued tomorrow MANY
OF the influential Welsnmen are anxious that Mr..
w. w. Scranton shall be arrested but that Young
II is not probable that work will be resumed at
Briggs shaft Tomorrow. la the present state Of
public feeling IL would De madness to attempt 1t.
and TWO children TO mourn his loss He had three
children but one or them died few minutes after
ne mao been shot. David Jones leaves wife.
~.a Inc ,pennsyvania Coal Company will commence
today Will have q tendency TO delay the action OF
the region delegates. Nothing can oc done uutiI
after the funeral OF the murdered men, The public
1hing. All Is now quiet. 10y
pUr rnAr Cmnyvr u,rnv0