Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-07-27
THE GREAT STRIKE.



The Governor of West Virginia on the 18th
ordered two companies of militia to Martins
burg to quell the riot OF the railroad strik-
ers. On their arrival they attempted TO move
a detained train and were fred on by the
strikers, one of the soldiers being wounded.
They returned the fire, killing one man. At
night the strikers and their friends, num-
beriDg fully 900 men, were marching about
town, bidding defiance to the authorities and
military. Seventy freight trains were held
by the strikers, The strike on the evening
OF the 18th had extended from Martinsburg to
Wheeling and on the Petersburg branch.
No freight trains were allowed by the
strikers to move over the Baltimore 81 Ohio
Railroad on the 18th. At Martinsburg the
rioters numbered over 500 men. A short
distance west OF Martinsburg the strikers
were fortified, 450 strong. The detained
trains at Martinsburg extended two miles
east and west
The United States troops arrived at Mar
tinsburg, W. Va, on the 10Th. The Presi-
dents proclamation ordering the rioters to
disperse was issued, AID with the assistance
of the troops the track was cleared and
two freight trains started-one west and
one cast Richard Zepp, chief of the strik-
ers, was arrested. Gen. French telegraphed
at midnight that all was quiet at Martins
burg. At Keyser the strikers remained def.
ant. The Aremen on the Central Ohio Di-
vision have struck and all freight trains were
made on Gov. Young for assistance.
On the Doth trains commenced moving
from Martinsburg In charge of small detach-
ments of U, S. soldiers. Upon its arrival at
Keyser one train was ran on the side track
and the engineer and fremen taken from
the train. A company Of soldiers was sent to
that place.
All freight trains were stopped at Cumber-
land and the crews taken from them by the
strikers. Gov. Carroll ordered the Fifth and
Sixth Regiments, of Baltimore, to proceed
to Cumberland to suppress the riot, and
issued PROCLAMATION calling on the citizens
of the State to abstain from acts of lawless-
ness and assist the authorities in maintain
ing order. Companies / and F, of the Sixth
Regiment, when proceeding from their arm
ory to Camden Station were stoned and fired
into by the crowd on the street. They returned
the fire, killing ten men and wounding many
others. The Fifth Regiment was also stoned
on its way to the depot and eight of the SOL
diers disabled for duty. They at one point
dispersed the crowd by a bayonet charge.
AT ten O'Clock in the evening house next
to the depot was fired and totally DESTROYED,
and the depot was badly burned. At mid
night the military was under arms at the
depot. The train carrying the U. s. mail
was blockaded in the yard at Camden, 1t be-
ing impossible to send it through, as the
strikers had possession of the tracks
The strikers at Cumberland fired into the
train which carried the troops to that place
and wounded train man ringleader
named French was arrested by the police and
an attempt to rescue him was made by the
strikers, during which several shots were
fired.
The strikers allowed no freight trains to
leave Newark, Ohio, on the Goth. Several
attempts were made to get trains out, but
without success. One man attempted to fire
an engine and was thrown from the cab.
Gov. Young issued a proclamation COM
manding the strikers to disperse, and with
two companies of militia went to Newark in
the evening.