The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-18
ALL FREIGHT TRAFFIC STOPPED.
Rioting at Martinsburg-A
Rifle Duel.
SEVENTY TRAINS IDLE.
The Firemen and B.akemen lntimidate
the Military and Engineers.
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
BALrMoRK July II, 1871
Tho strike ON tho Baltimore and Ohio Railroad has
assumed formidable Dimensions, and late tonight it
sreported as being general all along the road among
the freight employees. Thus far the only scenes Of
violence have occurred here and at Martinsburg,
W. Va AT the latter place tho widest excitement has
prevailed all day, and violence bloodshed
are reported in this city
AN ENGINE DESTROYED.
About three O'Clock this morning engine was
thrown from the track by the strikers The train WAS
from Martinsburg for Locust Point. II suddenly
thrown from the track at tho foot Of Leaenh street
The west switch at that point had been opened,
thrown back and rcocked, causing the train, which
was luckily running slow rate OF speed, to run IN
upon the trcstle works OF the gas house yard. The
engine, tender, two coal and freight
thrown from the track in turning the curve and were
badly damaged The footboard OF the engine caught
fire from the hot Goals which wero jolted from the
sumed. An alarm Of IRE was sounded and tho flames
were quickly subduod.
RIOTERS DEFY THE MILITARY.
Specials from Martnsburg the rioters still
firm and dctermined tho presence Of tho military
only served to further exasperate them. The town
was wild with excitement and tho strikers aud their
friends numbering lully ono thousand men, marched
about during the day dciying tho military
thorities Some eighty engines arc congrogatod
on the tracks A committee from tho striking 1remen
notified the engineers that in any engineer shall
attempt to tako train out OF town no would be i'm
mcdiately shot At noon cattle train. bound Tor
Baltimore, attempted TO start whereupon the rioters
Aocked ON board, and with drawn reviewers placed at
tho heads OF the engineer and fireman. compelled
them to run the train stock yards where tho
cattle were unoadod.
THE TROOPS ATTACKED.
The passenger trains are not interfered with, MS
tho strike is confined to the transportation mon.
later despatch gvcs an account Of tho conflict be-
tho strikers and military at Martinsburg The
BorKlcy Light Infantry Guards numbering seventy
Ave mon, at oight O'clock with loaded muskcts, took
charge OF western bound freight train,
and. placing tho engineer ana nrcman on
tho tram, attempted to run II out
Of town. Tho strikers and their friends meanwhile
had gathered strong force not less than four hun
drcd Of them being on the scene fully armed. AS the
train about to start they rushed upon End cut
tho couplings OF the cars. Colonel Faulkner called
on them dspersc and ordered them back, but these
orders were with jcers and threats. Tho Colonel
then threatened that he would order the soldiers TO
fire onrtbam II they did not Immediately desist.
Scarcely had the words boon spoken when u usilade
OF small arms opened on tho soldiers by the riot
ors One Of tho soldiers named Persoll was wounded
by pistol shot, and the commanding officer immod-
lately gave tho order his return the fire. and
the fire was returned.
RIOTERS WOUNDED.
John vandergriY, one OF the rioters, was fatally
wounded Others supposed to DO wounded, as
several were carried OH by their comrades Subse-
quent dcspdches state that the town Is In full posses
sion OF tho strikers, and tLat the Matthews Light
ny lao 49,
tinsburg.
SCENES OF VIOLENCE.
At Grafton and Keyscr, west Of Cumberland, tho
strikers commenced operations tonight. There
some violence at tho former place and at both tho
strikers were triumphant At Wheeling the strike
was also inauguratod but 1t is less formidable.
FREIGHT TRAINS ALL STOPPED.
All freight traffic tho road IL virtually sus.
pended, and It is the general opinion that tho militia
will be unable to cope with the strikers, number
ing several thousand and that government aid will be
necessary. Governor Carroll, OF Maryland, will,
II necessary, call out tho State militia, but
the police have thus far been able
quo any threatened rising or tho strikers Threats
are night that no freight trains will DO allowed
to leave Baltimore morrow, and thero is also an
inmation that passenger trains except those carry
ing United States mails. will not be permitted to run
after and that tho passenger trains would
probably DO stopped tomorrow.
MEETING
There a meeting Of tho strikers hero tonight at
which committees wcrc appointed to visit and en-
courage tho strikers all along tho limo and resolution
was adopted demanding the compensation paid by the
company In 1873
Tho outlook tonight Is exceedingly gloomy, and
while the officials OF the company laborng day and
night the situation each moment grows pcriious
and very serious troubles are apprehcndod.
WASHINGTON INTERESTED IN THE sTRUGGLE--
POSSIBILITY OF AN APPEAL FOR UNITED