Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-19
THREE HUNDRED BOATMEN TO
JOIN THE STRIKERS.
THE RIOTERS THROW Up ENTRENCH-
MENTS.
Rioters Rescued From the Officers by
Citizens.

BALTIMORE, July Is. An account of collision
at Martnsburg, yesterday morning, between Capt.
Fanlkners militia and the strikers is as TO lows
The militia company was deployed on both
sloes oil the tram, and an engineer and fireman
volunteered As the train reached the SWITCH
one of the strikers, VIM. VANDERBILT, seized the
switch ball to run the train ON a side track John
Pasal of the militia jumped from the pilot on the
engine and attempted to replace the switches
VANDERBILT then fired two shots at Paisal, one
causing slight flesh wound in the side Of the
head.
Psisal returned the fire, shooting Vsnderpiit
through the hips Several other shots were fred
at VANDERBILT, striking him in the hand and arm
When the firing was heard very large crowd of
railrosders and citizens collected, and the feel
ings became intense. The volunteering eng ineer
and fireman Of the train ran off as the shooting
began.
Capt. Faulkner then made the stateme mt that he
had performed his duty. If the train men had
deserted their posts he could do nothing more
The militia company was therefore marched to
their armory, leaving the rioters in possession OF
the field, and the road blocked up with standing
trains on the sdings, &c.
The strikers justify the shot fired at Paisal, on
the ground that he was oyerstepping mis- duty, as
he had no orders from Capt. Faulkner to close the
switch.
Paisal's injuries are slight. VANDERBILT is now
in an easy condition. and there are hopes of his
recovery.
burg were rescued from the officers by citizens
The strikers shortly afterwards threw ND en-
trenchments on both sides of the track elfectuay
preventing the passage of all freight trains. The
authorities looked on while this was done, and
were totally unable to cope with the rioters.
At noon the strikers went to the workshops of
the company, and ordered the men to stop work.
They refused and the strikers retired.
Three hundred boatmen from Cumberland. Nd
and st. John, Va, who have been employed on
I ThAln aGA l-Fs
burg, to join the strikers.
WHEELING, w. Va.,3P Pm. 1t Is reported
that the militia has been ordered from Martins
burg, and United States troops called for.
The strike along the railrord is growing more
serious, and strike is expected also ON the Gen.
trail Ohio and Chicago division.
WARRINGTON, July Is. This afternoon the
West Virginia, telegram dated Wheeling, stat
ing that the strikers the Baltimore l. Ohio rail-
road had become SO riotons and incendiary, that
he is unable to quell the disturbance with the
forces at his command, and requesting that United
States troops DO placed at his disposal to put down
the mob.
Upon receipt Of this telegram, the President
sent for Secretary McCrary, who Immediately re-
paired to the White House. The two entered up
on short discussion of its contents, concluding
that upon the information contained, the calling
out of United States troops would not be justified
under the law.
The President desired Secretary McCrary to
telegraph to Governor Matthews for more explicit
informal alton on the subject, and the secretary re-
ceived such supplementary information from Gov
Matthews, that in his own and the Presidents
opinion warranted the sending of troops to the
scene of the riot
Consequently, at late hour this afternoon, an
order wss issued from the war department direc.-
ing that troops be sent Immediately to Governor
Matthews assistance. General French with the
troops under his command, (about $50 in number
at the arsenal in Washington City, and troops
from Fort McHenry, have proceeded to Martins
burg and other points necessary to suppress yio-
lence.
WHEELING, July Is. The governor reports
that the legislature of 1875 did not provide for the
organization or enrolling of militia; that there is
no organized force except two volunteer com
psnies, and in order to protect the lives of men,
and to prevent bloodshed, he was compelled to
ask for federal troops
The rioters took four stands of arms from the
volunteer companies to-day
The governor was very reluctant to call for the
federal troops to aid, but deemed it necessary to
prevent the destruction of lives and property.
Boston, July Is. Batteries III and and d.
tachment Of battery A second artillery, number
ing in all seventy-fve men, and armed as infantry
left to night for Martinsburp