Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-07-26
THE RAILROAD WAR.
A Proclamation by the
President.

President.
Strikers Ordered to Disperse
UNITED STATES TROOPS DIS
PATCHED To MARTINS
| BURG.
: Trains Detaine neSl-NOn-Strike
m Intimidaied.
WASHINGTON, July 1S.-This after
noon the President received from Gov
Matthews CT West Virginia, telegram
date,i Wheeling, stating that strikers
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
had become 80 violent that he was un-
able to quell the disturbance with the
force At his com mnaDd, and requesting
that United States troops be placed at
his disposal to put down the mob.
Upon receipt OF this telegram the
President sent for Secretary McCrsry,
who Immediately repaired to the White
House. After short discussion it was
decided that upon information received
the calling out Of United States troops
would not be justified under the law.
The President desired Secretary Nc
Crary to telegraph to Gov. Matthews
for more explicit information on the
subject. The Secretary received such
supplementary information from Gov.
Matthews that in his and the Presi-
dents opinion warranted the sending
of troops to the scene OF the riot.
Consequently at late hour this after
noon AL order was issued from the War
| Department directing troops TO be sent
imme ediately, to Gov. Matthews as
sistance. The troops ordered 10 Mar
tinsburg are the Sscond Artillery,
twelve officers and 200 men, from
! Washington Arsenal, ard eight officers
| and 1l2 men from Fort McHenry, and
| are under command of General French.
They will leave Immediately, and Gen.
! French is ordered On his arrival at
Martinsburg to report to Col. Delaplain,
aid to Gov. Matthews.
ALL QUIET AT GRAFTON.
BALTIMORE. July 18.-Batteries H
| and l. and detach ment OF light Bat.
| terry A, Second Artillery, United States
Army, armed as infantry. left here this
evening for Martinsburs. aai a.
w lO-<t cpcCldl W
the Register from Grafton says the ex-
element over the strike ~ the firemen
and brakemeD has suhsidea and every
thing is quiet at that point. No freight
trains have as yet been allowed to
move, however. The strikers threaten
intimidationand violence to all persons
attempting to fill their places. The
Mayor called upon citizens To assist in
preserving peace, which will prove the
end Of the strike at that point.
After considerable correspondence
between Gov. Matthews and the Pres
identand Secretary of War, troops have
been ordered from Washington and
Fort McHenry to the disaffected points.
They will reach there during the night,
and it is thought all Trouble will be
quieted by tomorrow.
THE SHOOTING AFFAIR.
An. account of yesterdays shooting
affair at Martiusburg says the militia
company deplOyed On both sides of the
train about starting. One OF the strik-
ers, VIM. Vanders riff, seized the switch
bali to run the train on the side track.
John Poisal, one of the militia, jumped
from the engine and attempted to re.
place the switch. Vandergreff fired
two shots at Poisal, one CAUSING slight
flesh wound. Poisal returned the fire,
shooting Vandergreff through the hip.
Several other shots were fired ut |
Vandergreff, striking him in the head |
and arm. When the firing was heard |
q large crowd OF frailroaders ami citizens |
collected, and the feeling became in.
tense. The volunteer engineer and |
fireman ran eff as soon as the shooting !
began. Capt. franklin then made q |
statement. He had performed his du-
ty, and il the train men deserted their
posts he could do nothing more. The
militia company was therefore march
ed to the arnory and disbanded.
BALTIMORE, July 1S.-The strikers
at Martinsburg are increasing rapidly,
numbering row over 500 men. Scouts
Just in report q mob of 400 to 500 men
between Will tmsport crossing and
Stiles house. Bloody work is expected
tomorrow. Troops are moving along
slowly and carefully, and are now near
Washington Junction. AT Keyser the
strikers received information that !
company OF militia would probably /
reach that place on the train east for
Martinsburg, and res lived that If this
company attempted to board any train
they would be torn to pieces. At
Grafton the strikers are determined
and desperate, destroying the COM
pany's property by removing hose con-
Meeting the tender and engine, and
connecting pins and links. The Mayor
of Grafton has issued proclamation
notifying the strikers if they violate the
law they will be punished to the full
extent of legal authority. At the Sand
House, q short distance west OF Mar
tinsburg, the strikers have fortified
over $50 strong.
MARTINsBURG, July 19.-The troop
train arrived ut $3.50 this morning and
bivouacked in theRound house. Most of
the strikers are outside the western
limits of the corporation. At noon the
proclamation of President Hayes, COM
manding them to disperse, was read.
The miners Of Piedmont and Western
port have resolved to assist the rail-
readers. At a meeting at Keyser last
night the men decided to abide by the
decision of the associate divisions in re-
gard to the wages and to stand by the
other divisions In the present troubles,
declaring that the wages established by
the Company were Inadequate fer pro-
curing the necessaries of life for them
selves and families. ss SGT .rf,.4a
1t Ii impossible to get men to run
trains out. The strikers in q meeting
decided to demand two dollars day
for firemen and brakemen and no re-
duction for engineers and conductors.
They appointed committees Of firemen,
enginemen, conductors and brakemen
to cooperate with similar committees
on all other sections. Committee have
gone to the third and fourth divisions
to insist on general strike. The
strikers say II overpowered .bygitroepsi