The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-07-19
BALTIMORE Il OHIO STRIKE.
The Rioters Still in Possession at
Martinsburg.
United States Troops Ordered to the
Scene.

BALTIMORE, July 1o-The situation of the
strike on the Baltimore s. Ohio Railroad is rep
resented by Camden station officials to be quiet
along the whole line, the strikers having assum-
ed complete control of the road by stopping all
freight trains at Keyser, Grafton, Martinsburg
and Wheeling. They seem to be satisfied and
are waiting to see what the company will do
The Matthews Light Guard, 30 men, from
Wheeling, arrived at Martinsburg this morn
ing. Up to o'clock they still occupied the
cars OF the train that brought them on, and are
waiting the result of a conversation between
their officers and Attorney General White, Mr..
Warkeysen, Capt T. r. Sharp and other Off
Gals, as to the best course. What measures
may be adopted will be shortly known. The
strikers have made no demonstration today,
and are watching the course of events. If an
attempt to move any trains is made they will
doubtless be heard from.
Governor Matthews, was understood to be on
his way to Martinsburg as far as Cumberland
last night, and then, for some reason, returned
to Wheeling.
AT Grafton, where the strikers made some
unruly demonstrations against non striking
firemen, several ring-leaders have been arrest
ed by the local civil authorities. and held under
guard by men detailed from Wheeling militia
company.
The Morefield Guards, another militia COM
pany, are ordered to Martinsburg, but have not
arrived.
The wounded men, Poisal and VANDERBILT,
shot during the riot yesterday morning are
both doing we'll.
An account of the collision at Martinsburg
yesterday morning, between Capt. Faulkner's
militia and the strikers, says the militia COM
pany was deployed on both sides of the train
about the station. When the train reached the
switch one of the strikers, William VANDERBILT,
seized the switch and ball to run the train on a
side track. John Poisal of the militia, jumped
from the pilot of the engine and attempted to
replace the switch. Mandergiff fred two shots
at Poisal, one causing slight flesh wound in
the side of his head. Poisal returned the fire,
shooting VANDERBILT through the hip. Several
other shots were fired at VANDERBILT, striking
him on the hand and arm. When the firing
was heard very large crowd collected, and the
feeling became intense. The volunteering en-
gineer and fireman of the train ran off as soon
as the shooting began. Capt. Faulkner then
made the statement that he had performed his
duty, and if the train men deserted their posts
he could do nothing more. The militia compa-
ny was therefore marched to their armory and
ingloriously disbanded, leaving the rioters in
possession of the field and the road blocked up
with standing train. VANDERBILT is lying in a
very dangerous condition. His arm must be
amputated. Private Poisal, a party to the
shooting of VANDERBILT, is conductor o # freight
train but not connected with the strike. The
strikers justify the shot fired at him on the
ground that he was overstepping his duty as he
had no orders from Capt. Faulkner to close the
switch. Poisafs injuries are slight. Wander
gift is now in an easy condition and there are
hopes of his recovery.
This morning three of the rioters at Martins
burg were rescued from the officers by citizens.
The strikers shortly afterwards threw up en-
trenchments on both sides of the track, effect.
uall preventing the passage of all freight trains.
The authorities looked on while this was done
and were totally unable to cope with the riot
erS.
AtteTno0n.-No further violence has occurred
on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
The strikers have full possession of the road
and no freight trains are allowed to move. At
Msrtipsburg at noon the strikers went to the
workshop OF the company and ordered the men
to stop work. They refused and the strikers
retired. Three hundred boatmen from Cum
berland, Nd, and st. Johns run, who have
been employed on the Chesapeake & Ohio can.
al left for Martinsburg to join the strikers.
WHEELING, w. Va, July 18.-The Governor
reports that the Legislature of 1875 did not pro-
vide for the organization or enrolling of mill Z.
tia: that there is no organized force except two
volunteer companies in the state, and in order
to protect the lives of men and to prevent blood
shed he was compelled to ask for Federal troops,
The rioters took forty stand of arms from the
volunteer companies today: The Governor was
very reluctant to call for Federal aid, but Deem
ed it necessary to prevent the destruction of
lives and property.
8 2. Mt is reported that the militia has
been ordered from Martinsburg and United
States troops called for. The strike along the
railroad is growing more serious, and a strike
is expected also on the Central Ohio & Chicago
division.
WHEELING, July IS "A special to the Reg
lister from Grafton says that the excitement
over the strike of the firemen and brakemen
has subsidized and everything is quiet at that
point. No freight trains are yet allowed to
move, however. The strikers threaten intimi-
Ia wiz 70 oil
to fill their places. News of the coming of
United States troops is received and it is
thought all trouble will be quoted tomorrow,
There is no news of any disturbance on the
Central Ohio and Chicago division as yet
WASHINGTON, July 18-This afternoon the
President received from Gov. Matthews of
West Virginia telegram dated Wheeling,
stating that the strikers on the Baltimore s.
Ohio Railroad have become so riotous and in
cendiary that he is unable to queli the disturb
ance with the forces at his command ani re-
questing that United States troops be placed at
his disposal to put down the mob. Upon re.
ceiDt of this telegram the President sent for
Secretary McCrary, who Immediately repaired
to the White House. The two entered upon a
short discussion of its contents, concluding that
upon the information contained tina calling out
Of U nited States troops would not be justified
under the law. The President desired Secre.
tary McCrary to telegraph to Gov. Matthews
for more explicit information on the subject
and Secretary McCrary received such supple
mentary information from Gov. Matthews til at
in his and the Presidents opinion warranted
the sending of troops to the scene of the riot.
Consequently at late hour this afternoon an
order was issued from the War Department.
directing that troops be sent Immediately to
Gov. Matthews assistance. Gen. 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
Martlnsourg and other points necessary to sup
press violence.
At 10 o'clock tonight a train of nine cars
moved out of the Baltimore & Ohio depot here
bound for Martinsburg, and Carrying s COM
panies OF artillery acting as infantry. Six of
the companies have been on duty at the arsenal
mere, and two reached the city from Brltimore,
Joining the troops. The whole detachment is
under the command of Gen. French Their
strength is about $50 men, all in regular fight
ing trim and supplied with rations canteens
and plenty OF ammunition. A proc lamaton
has been prepared by the President ordering
the rioters to dsperse; This will be telegraphed
to Gov. Matthews at MartinsbuIg, and all the
rioters will be made fully aware of Its provis-
ions, disobedience of which will be met by
prompt action BY the military who are acting
upon the formal request of the Governor for
assistance IN order TO preserve the public peace.
BALTIMORE, July 1890 a. m.-The off
Gals at the Camden station furnish the follow
ins Il ho Strihers at MarClnSDurg are increasing
rapidly, numbering now over 500 men. Our
scouts just in report mob of from 400 to 500
men between Williamsport crossing and Still
house. Bloody work is expected tomorrow
Troops are now moving along slowly and care
fully and are now near Washington junction.
AT Kyser the strikers received information that
a company of militia would probably reach
that place on train east for Martinsburg and
resolved that II this company ATTEMPTED to
board any train they wonld be torn to pieces.
AT Grafton the strikers are determined and
desperate, destroying the company's property
BY removing the hose connecting with the ten
der and engine and connecting the pins and
links. The mayor of Grafton has issued
proclamation, notifying the strikers that any
violation of the law will be summarly punish.
ed to the full extent of the law. At the sand
house. a short distance west OF Ma1tinsburg.
lha strikers have fortified and are over 450
strong