The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-08-02
Violence Among the Strikers Troops
Attacked and Blood Spilled.
NEWS FROM ALL QUARTERS,

that the strike is extending hourly, and is
threatening general interruption of railway
traffic. Ten tons of United States mails are
already on side tracks at different points,
waiting the pleasure of the strikers. The
movement of freight ON half of the impor-
tant roads in the West has ceased entir ely
and on some lines passenger trains are
taken off.
But few attempts at compromise are re-
ported. President Devereaux, of the c., c.,
c. & |. Road, has notified his EMPLOYEES that
on August 1st their wages will be restored to
the rates paid before the ten per cent cut, and
that this arrangement shall be permanent
The Louisville Short Line has also, by action
of Chancellor Bruce, receded from its late
reduction.
On the other hand, Colonel Scott of the
Pennsylvania, and President Jewett, of the
Erie road, declare that on no consideration
will their companies yield to the demands of
the strikers. They announce directly to the
men that they will hold out, though not a
wheel should turn on their roads. There is,
therefore, no hope Of compromise on the
great through lines.
The situation in PIttsburg is less serious.
All classes of citizens are uniting in an effort
to save property from pillage and fire, the
strikers themselves being disposed to assist.
At other points the same moderation is not
shown. Mil employees, miners, factory
operatives and other classes of workmen are
being interfered with, and in some cases,
have been forced to quit work.
At Harrisburg, Pa, the militia called out
to preserve order, became panic-stricken,
and surrendered their arms. The mob then
hemmed in the prisoners, and, amid cheers,
marched them through the main street of the
city, the captors carrying the arms of their
prisoners.
Governor Hartranft has been in Cheynne,
but is on his way to Harrisburg.
There were collisions between the militia
and tn mobs at several places during the
day and night AtReading, Pa, volley
from the troops killed four and wounded
several in the crowd. At this place night
trains were prevented from leaving the
depot, and several hundred persons com
menced the obstruction of the tracks of the
Lebanon Valley Railroad leading to Harris
burg. The cabOoses were set on fire, and an
alarm of fire having been struck, the entire
Fire Department responded. The fremen
were prevented, however, by the crowd
from extinguishing the flames. Attention
having been diverted to the burning cars,
the work of destruction was continued. At
other points along the road they were tear
ing up the tracks, turning and blocking
switches, and burning freight cars. A train
of freight ears on the main line on the Sec
ond Street crossing was set ON fire, and five
ears were totally consumed. The Lebanon
Valley Railroad Bridge, a magnificent struc-
ture, across the Schuylkill costing over
S150,000, was fired at the west end shortly
before midnight, and totally destroyed. At
1 35 a. m. all the spans had fallen into the
river. The object in destroying the bridge
is believed to have been to prevent the pas
sage of troops through Reading to Harris
burg and points ON the Pennsylvania Rail
road.
At Buffalo, the militia were worsted in
the fight. The request of Gov. Hartranft,
of Pennsylvania, for Federal assistance has
been complied with in proclamation by
the President, and troops will be forwarded
The strike on the o. & NJ road has intro
duced the elements of disturbance into
Cincinnati. No trains were run last night
but the mob which surrounded the depot
found work to do at late hour in an attempt
to fire the bridge over Mill Creek. A meet
ing of workingmen is called for seven
o'clock this morning
The most important feature of to-day's
news is the announcement of the beginning
of a strike on the New York Central, which
threatens to become general. The men
want the wages that were paid before June
1st, and, if terms cannot be agreed upon, the
last line of communication between the
East and West will be in the hands of the
strikers.
AtNewark, Ohio, matters are quiet, but it
is reported that a party of miners from
Shawnee are on their way to the place to
join the railroad men,,
At Columbus the mob hold pretty COM
plete sway, closing up rolling mills,
machine shops, and factories and raiding
private establishment.
At East st. Louis all is reported quiet
The strikers, however, have possession of
the roads. Mayor Bowman, in behalf of
the strikers had interviews with the Super
intendents and other officers of the several
roads involved in the strike yesterday looking
to compromise or settlement of the diff
Guilty.
At Washington, D. c., the authorities
have beenvery active throughout the day in
ascertaining the most effective means at the
control of the government for guarding
its property, especially its military stores
The orders given have been so far executed
that no anxiety is felt in regard to this mat
ter. There was some uneasiness in the early
part of the day, over the situation of the
st. Louis Arsenal, but it is supposed that
the movement ordered from Fort Leaven-
worth, will remove all reason for apprehen.
break out in ST. Louis. This, however is
not now expected. The entire force OF
marines and seamen on the coast has been
utilized, and quite force arrived Yesterday
both at Baltimore and Washington. A
! strong detachment was forwarded from Bal
timore to Philadelphia. Several of the iron
| clads lying at Fortress Monroe have beer
| ordered into commission.
July 24.-At West Philadelphia all the
| passenger trains are moving regularly or
the main line and the New York division
| and the company claim to have re-estab
| lished the freight traffic between Philadel
phia and New York.
The Philadelphia and Erie train mer
struck at sunbury, Pa, last night. Thi
morning they compelled the shop hands ant
machinists to strike. The excitement il
great, but thus far no overt act has beel
committed. The Grand Army of the Repub
lie of Philadelphia has taken steps to or
ganize for the purpose of renderin.
assistance in suppressing the railroad
| troubles.
The strike has extended to all the impor
tant cities of the United States, including
New York, Albany, Poughkeepsie, TROY
Buffalo, Syracuse, Hornellsville, Morristown
Trenton, Mauch Chunk, Baltimore, Phila
delphia, Pittsburg, Harrisburg Reading
Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Louisville
indianapolis, Chicago, st. Louis etc. Riot
have prevailed more or less, in all thes
cities, and mob-rule prevails, the militar
which has been called out seeming to be @
no avail in the suppression of the rioters.
AT Louisville, tonight, there was a larg
meeting of workingmen. About fftee
minutes past nine o'clock, they broke ur
when all the boys, negroes, and rowdiee
formed in the street and started for tn
Nashville Depot yelling and whooping, an
! breaking the windows and glass doors G
every store and house on their route, an
firing pistols, and threatening to burn til
houses of citizens. AT the depot they wer
met by one company of militia and abou
one hundred extra police armed with mu.
kets and pistols, who fired into them Thi
had the effect of dispensing them. Their
was no one hurt above getting knocked O
) the head with bowlders, although some
| them returned the fire.
r In Cincinnati, there is shameful sui
mission to the mob. The passenger train
, were prevented from leaving the city, tn
mob taking possession of the locomotive
and driving away the engineers and firemel
g WASHINGTON, July 24-The Cabinet Sc
sion to-day lasted until after two o'clocl
! The discussion was mostly railroad trou
, les. kilograms from military commander
: showed the condition of affairs. Gener
= Schofield says that quiet prevails in Phil
delphia, and General Hancock is fully alb
: to suppress any disorder there.
v kilograms from Chicago and other poin
T.. West showed the state of affairs ther
/ and the Secretary of War explaine
- | ha ntc of A