The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-05-06
A DANGEROUS FAMILY.
DETERMINED To DO OR DIE.

DETERMINED TO DO OR DIE.
DESPERATE FIGHT WITH MINERS NEAR
wILKEsRARRE, PA.-Two OFFICERS SHOT
ONE MoRTALLY WOUNDED.
The terrible encounter between the
O'Connell family and the officers near
Wilkesbarre, Pa, was reported in the Sen
tinel yesterday morning. The following
are the details of the fatal affray, from the
Chicago Trisune's telegrsphic correspon-
dent. There has been bloody work in
progress near this city, and it is feared the
end is not yet. Pake Hollow, small min
ing village about two miles away, was the
scene of fearful conflict between an evil
disposed family and the constabu-
larry and police authorities. The
trouble began yesterday when Con-
stable CnollitG. and two deputies
armed with the necessary legal documents,
were endeayoring to eject a family from a
house which had been bought at sheriff
sale, the occupants refusing 10 give possess
sion. The house was occupied by Lawrence
O'Conneil, enc OF seven brothers living near
by, VINO have an unenviable repu tation as
desperate characters. When the constable
snd his posse attempted 10 enter the house
Yesterday they were met by an in
iuriated mob OF the O'Connsll family,
tackled them with stones and other
missiles, and drove them from tie premises.
The men did not make their appearance
but the posse concluded to Withdraw from
the excited locality, and return with large
force. The constable applied 10 Chief Kelly
for number Of policemen, and after a con-
ference with the city council the request was
granted, and the c nstable returned this
forenoon accompanied by five officers and
several deputies. On approaching the house,
shortly before noon, Peter and John 0'Con-
nell were arrested and taken into custody.
While the arrest was being made, the
RIoToUs FEMALES MADE A CHARGE
on the force with stones and clubs. Officer
Rsibsenner succeeded in capturing the gray
headed mother, and was dragging her out of
the door, when volley of arms was fired
from the second story window, a heavy
load OF buck shot taking effect in the officers
head and side. There was a signal for
general discharge of firearms, and Constable
Casey tell to the ground, shot in both legs.
The posse at once sought safety in retreat,
bearing off their wounded and their two
prisoners. Officer Reibsenner was carried
TO a neighboring house, MORALLY " founded,
while the prisoners and injured con-
stable were driven to this city,
with all possible dispatch, arriving here at
heard of the affair, and accompanied by a
squad drove rapidly ID the scene OF the dis
turbance, which be found in tumult of
excitement. and, taking in the situation,
sept q messenger to Wilkesbarre with a
call for 100 armed men. The messenger
reached here about O'Clock, his horse
flecked with loan and almost exhausted.
Only few minutes elapsed before a posse
of about twenty-five men we're gathered on
the public square, heavily armed with rifles,
muSkets and reVolverS, and took conveyance
for Pake Hollow, where an excited multitude
numbering three or tour thousand men, wo-
men and children, were assembled. No
sooner had the posse arrived within range of
the house where the O'CoDnell were Sc
creted than a volley of six or seven shots
was fired at them from the upper window,
without taking effect. Supreme confusion
Teigned among the authorities; the consta-
bic hesitated 20 act, and the sheriff being I'M
termined to surround the house. with armed
men to prevent an escape. Tho doors and
windows were heavily barricadeG and the
desperate brothers, with their father, were
seen on the inside with their rifles.
THEY THREATENED TO SHOOT
any man who would enter the premises.
The old man came out with some of mis-
sons, and offered to hold pailey with the
which was determined on their part to re-
tain possession. \ constable then went to
one of the doors and battered it in, a num-
Der of the force projected him by drawing
their weapons on the only two occupants
visible. The father stood with an ak and
a drawn revolver remarking that he was an
old man and would sell his life dearly. A
rush was then made by the deputy constable,
who seized the father bsfore ne could fire,
and bis gun was wrssied from him. The
house was searched, and one brother found
under the bed armed with am AK and pistol,
but he was covered with dozen carbines,
when he surrendered. The others were
missing, but were discovered in an sdjoin-
ing house, and a rush made for them. They
drew their revolvers, but before they could
raise them nalf a dozen determined men
leveled their carbines at their heads, and
they at once surrendered. The last two
were the ones who fired the shots this morn
ing with such deadly effect. All were heavily
ironed and brought to Wilkesbarre- As the
procession OF armed men with their prison
ers came into town there was the greatest
and curses were heaped upon
the OConnells. The aged father and mis-
five sons had hearing tonight, and were
committed to prison.