The New York herald., 1873-12-09
A SQUATTER WAR.

Three Thousand Citizens OF Carb0ndale
Contest with the Delaware and Hud-
SON Coal Company the Title to tho
Houses They Have Built and Occupied
for . Long Term Of Years.
SCRANTON, Pa, Dec. 8, 1873.
What promises to be one OF the bitterest con-
tests that has yet been waged between labor and
capital in the anthracite coal fields OF Pennsylvania
has been inaugurated between the Delaware and
Hudson Coal Company and its workmen at Carbon
dale City. few days ago the company, through
its mining bosses, issued notices to some OF the
miners and laborers in and around Carbondale.
who hold land on its property by what is known
as the squatters right, that unless they signed
leases for their lots they would be discharged from
the works. This action on the part OF the company
fell like thunderbOlt among the men, who lock
upon it O kind Of unjustifable coup de main TO
rob them OF the little homes, which many OF them,
by upwards OF 40 years OF tncessant toll, had
created; ana accordingly they refused to comply
with the ukase.
The company discharged several men, and an
Indignation meeting was forthwith held, in which
resolutions were adopted declaring this arbitrary
conduct, and volunteering to support the men who
had been discharged as long as they were out Of
employment A committee was appointed to wait
on the company's representative in this region.
with view to q settlement OF the difficulty, and
he answered that the c0mpanys order should be-
carried out regardless OF consequences.
The men Immediately held another meeting and
resolved to resist the company to the bitter end
ra,her than submit to system OF villanage
or accept leases of the land, the owner
ship OF which they claim by squatter
right OF over 21 years peaceable possession.
visited Carbondale this afternoon, with view
to eciting the real facts in contest that has pro-
duca n m taft nj fna linz in
region. Carbondale is II miles from Scranton, on.
the Lackawanna River, and is the oldest city In,
the valley. 1t is built in the bosom of Lackawanna
Valley. the bleak, black hills sloping up gently
east and west OF the city are dotted here and there
with the begrimed and miserable huts OF the squat
ters. The city itself Is struggling concern, its
principal street being upwards OF mile in length
and mostly lined with irregular and old frame
buildings The, Court House is modest brick
structure, standing in the public square, and at a.
short distance half dozen churches. almost In
cluster, lift their spires heavenward, wnile all
around the city the black coal breakers loom up
seeming to lend their color to store and church and
About As years before Carbondale was city, the
Delaware and Hudson Coal Company having pur-
chased that tract Of land with Q view to develop
ing Its mineral treasures, found great difficulty
in obtaining men to work In the mines, owing to
the extreme isolation Of the place, as well as to
the dangers that presented themselves at that day
accordingly the company, through its mining en-.
gineer, Mr. ClarksOn, offered, as an inducement to
workmen, lots which they might build huts upon
and cultivate at will. Tree OF charge. In this way
about 800 acres were disposed Of Some men took
merely space enough Tor a cabin, some one acre.
Of Industry was soon started. The coal SHAFT Was
sunk, the breaker erected, and out OF an unin-
yiting wilderness OF m0rass and forest the work
men brought neatly titled gardens, and built M
one Of the most thriving cities in the county
Everything went on in ,S. harmony until 70 years
obstreperous squatter, Sandy Mcdonald, for posses
sion OF the lot on which he had settled After
time the suit was abandoned and Sandy remained
in full and practical possession, although the
literally Tor him to defend the i matter should the
company prosecute II further Some time after.
wards Sandy sold his right to Mr. Nealon, OF
" no1 SU%Rsa MRo1 dRpS fss
years ago the company prevailed upon, some 9i lts
has been heard OF the matter until g
few days ago. when tne ds noH MINE tak sses o
their lots tney would be discharged. The order
was stoutly refused, ana an organizauon M o.
miners and aborers, oenencal nn ana protective
Already. in a day or TWO, 800 men have enrolled
their names In wsa ~ Sne o. sne
to-day he said II was their intention TO unfold the
od q s sneTs ri. gpn fs s snd .fs
hard thing to see that for over 80 years have
strained bone and sinew 20 build up the Delaware
City crowded TO the wall in their old age, when
they are decrepid and Feeble and moneyiess, and.
when the times are so bad.'
The disputed property consists of about 400 acres.
and is peopfed by about 1900 persons, or q little
less than one-third OF the entire population OF
Carbondale. understand that the Coal Company
Is firm and will use every means In its power 70
assert its legal ownership OF the land; while the
men, on the other hand, are determined 70 hold
possession under the squatters ttle and TO resist
what they consider the unjust and tyrannical mea-
with general dismissal from employment Tho
result threatens to DO most injurious to Carbon
dale, as the place has neither manufacturing nor
farming resources to fall back on, and II entirely
dependant ON the coal works for Its support