Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-07-21
The Baltimore and Ohio R. R. Strike.

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Grafion, &c.
TIE SITUATfoN AT MARTINsDUKG.
MARrINsBURG, W. Va, July II, ISL
This has been a day of great excitement in
NaTtinSburg, growing out of the strike of the
Greslen on freight trains on the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad. The strike began here yester-
day, when it became apparent that there was
a growing understanding among the freight
fremen to resist the 10 per cent. reduction. -
Il was soon learned that all freight trains go
ing cas-: and west were TO be stopped and now
IS trains, comprising 200 cars, loaded with
coal, grain aud other freight, Including 10 cat
tie cars comprising about GOO head Of stock,
are detained here. Large crowds OF people
gathered early at the railroad depot, aud ,ae
excitement was at times Intense.
On Monday night when 1t was fornd that
not less than fourteen trains loaded with live
stock had been stopped by the refusal Of the
striking fremen to allow them 20 pass, tele-
grams were sent to Baltimore giving The rail-
road company's officials notification of the
situation. As stated in the dispatches of yes
terday the mayor, Mr.. A. p. Shut, was APP
pealed to- and he used every endeavor to quiet
the outbreak and relieve the embargo, but was
ovcrpowered and obliged to give it up. Gov.
Matthews, of West Virginia, was then appeal
ed to, and he at about midnight Monday sent
the necessary orders for the intervention by
the local militia Of AlartinSburg.
Cl. c.. J, Faulkner, captain Of the Berkc-
ley Light Infantry, of Martiusburg, bad his
company in ranks by FIVE o'clock this morning
in Obedience TO the orders Of the Governor Of
West Virginia. who telegraphed the night be-
fore to render all necessary assistance aid see
that the men who were willing to run trains
were not iuterfered with. In the meantime
another attempt had been made to send out
freight train, but the tiremcn was taken of by
the rioters aud the train halted. As the dis
turberS Of the business of the road were deter
mined to listen to no couciliatory measures the
military company was marched down TO the
railroad and in front of the train-dispatcher's
office to clear the way for all the trains deslr-
Ing to pass. As a precautionary step, and to
avoid if possible any collision or serious diff
Guilty, Capt Faulkner made very sympathct-
ic speech 10 those who were engaged in the
unlawful and obstructive proceedings. lie
kindly and temperately eudeavored to persuade
the diSturbers not to resist longer the passage
Of the trains To thee appeals tue crowd
turned deaf ear, and then, finding it was
useless to reason with them further, Capt f.
read to the asSemblage the Governors orders.
At the same time he made statement Of his
duty as he understood it, aud ordered the COM
pany 10 load their pieces and resist any at
tempt made TO stop the trains
The militia company was deployed on both
sides Of tain which was about starting, an
engineer and fireman having volunteered TO
work. As the train reached the switch one OF
the strikers, Vim. Nandergrtf, seized the
switch ball to run the train on the side track.
John Poisal, member of the militia COM
pany, jumped from the pilot Of the engine
and attempted to replace the switch so that
the train should go on. Nandergritf fired two
shots at PuiSal, one causing q slight flesh
wound in the side of the head, Poisal return
ed the fire, shooting Naudergrif through the
hip. Several other shots were fired at Wander
griif, striking him in the hand and arm.
When the firing was heard a very large
crowd Of railroadcrs and citizens collected, and
the feeling became intense The volunteering
engineer and iirem n Of the train ran off as
soon as the shooting began. Capt. Faulkner
then made the statement that he had perform
ed his duty, and if the traiumcn deserted their
posts he could do nothing more. The militia
company was therefore marched to their armo-
~ and ngloronsly disbauded, leaving the rio
tiers in possession of the field, and the road
blocked up with standing trains on the sidings,
&c.
Vaudercriif is lying in a very dangerous
condition in consequence Of his wounds. One
Of his arms had been amputated.
Thomas r Sharp, master Of transportation,
Frank Mantz, supervisor of trains, and several
other of tic Baltimore and Ohio railroad Off
Cials are here making every possible effort to
couciliate the strikers and to move the trains,
especially the live stock trains, in which the
poor animals are suffering very much with eX-
ceS>ive heat. Up 10 Z. NJ. no freight trains
had been moved either east or west, aud the
strikers showed no signs Of reccding from their
position The trouble, however seemed to be
confined TO a number Of men from Baltimore,
some Of them in no way connected with the
railroad Very few of the railroad company'S
employees residing in Martinsburg have en-
gagged in the obstructive resistance, but there
seems TO be no doubt the strike will become
general.
All passenger and mail trains have been al
lowed 10 pass unobstructed. only the freight
trains being enlarged The idea in this is
to avoid amenablity to the laws of the United
States for obstructng the mails. No damage
has been done 70 the property Of the railroad
company or attempted The men engaged in
the strike say they do ! o. mean to modest any
person All they ask is a living mpcnsation
for their labor. They say that at the present
prices the fremen cannot pay their daily OK
peuses, much less support their families.
Heavy conveys Of freight trains are lying on
the sidings east and west of Martinsburg
train Of stock shipped here has been reshipped
By Mr. M1ntz over the Cumberland Valley
and Western Maryland railroad. Thus far the
authorities have been unable to secure the pas
sage of a single freight train Tonight the
excitement had quieted down, and everybody
is waiting to see what will turn up.
ISpecjal Dispatch to the Baltimore SUM-
MIDNIGHT NEWS FROM TIE SEAT CT WAR.
MAErIXSBURG, w. Va, July l7.-Miduight
intelligence has been received here by the II
o'clock train from the West that the strike has
extended over the entire line, which has greatly
encouraged the strikers, who in consequence
feel more confident and determined Other
wise the situation remains unchanged.
About two hundred Of the strikers and their
supporters are at this hour strung along the
railroad in squads, in the city and vicinity
armed with pistols and some few with guns.
Perfect order prevails, aud even the converse
tons Of the strikers discussing the situation
are in subdued tones.
A guard Of twelve men and a sergeant Of
Berkeley Light Infantry are stationed at the