The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-12
FIGHTING WITH DYNAMITE.
SHARP CONTEST For THE POSSESSION OF A
MISE-UsISG THE DREAD EXPLOSIVE AS A
wEAPoN-A FUSE THAT WAS NOT FIKED-A

MISE-UsISG THE DREAD EXPLOSIVE AS
WEAPON FUSE THAT WAS NOT FIRED-A
CRITICAL MOMENT AND THRILLING SCENE.
BREwsTEn's. n. Y. Nov. IL. 1879.
This usually quietcorner of Putnam county is stu
very much excited desperate tight for
mino which occurred here a few days ago between
party OF the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Companyt
employees from Scranton. Pa. and couple of stub
born contractors. who with gang OF their work.
men, endsavored to hold possession the Lilly Fos-
ter pit the pretext that they had a contract with
the company and Gould take long as they liked to
carry it out. short time ago the Lackawanna Iron
and Coal Company of Scranton purchased this mine,
and a verbal contract was made with two men named
Canfeld and Maley work it. The contract of
course. like all others of the kind was subject to
dissolution at days notice. but by courtesy was
run until the end of last month. when the company
becoming dissatisfied with Garfield and Maley in
formed them through Superintendent Cosgrif that
their services were needed longer. They refused
vacate the property. alleging that their
with the company called for several thousand tons
Of and they could get it in as long or short
time they fit. Cosgrif then Constable
Day with orders TO eject them forcibly but Of
the workmen swung u hammer ut Day and he de-
parted.
THE FRONT.
Mr.. w. w. Scranton, of Scranton, Pa, the general
manager OF the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company.
was notified of the situation and he Immediately
came here and Canhed. The latter very
protane and said, "He'd be damned if he'd give up
possession until his contract filed Mr. Scran-
ton tecgrapAed for his attorney. Mr.. Hamilton
Wallis, OF New York city, and at the time
a despatch for Captain c. w. Mckinney of the COM
panys Coal and Iron Police at Scranton, asking
MIN to come at once with six trusty men,
The squad left Scranton ut midnight with guns
and ammunition. arriving here on the following
afternoon with u suspicious looking box. which it
was atterward ascertained contained Remington
rifles They driven in carriages from the sta
ton to the mine. Mr.. Scranton again held long
parley with Contractor Maley, and said the company
would pay him whatever his contract called for II
he Withdrew from the property and in case he felt
arbitrate the matter. This Maley refused to do He
had twelve men in the pit holding possession.
DESCENDING THK LADDER.
As soon he refused Mr.. Scranton and his party,
armed with guns and wearing the uniform of the
Scranton Coal and Iron Police, proceeded to descend
the rckey ladder which led into the pit, depth of
200 feet. They sooner did 50 than the Maey gang
the bottom fired blast of dynamite and it sent
shower Of broken stones flying out of the pit and
rafting around the heads of invaders whose lives
were III imminent peril. Nothing daunted however,
they descended. Tue men below were hidden under
D rocky recess and could touch of the deadly dyna-
mite with safety. They had several heavy charges
of il in the rock at the foot of the ladder When the
Scranton half way down another blast OF
dynamite was touched off, and the shaky ladder
trembled ii it would collapse. Fortunately the
aud as they could steady the miserable
ladder they hastened down toward the foot with in
creased celebrity.
A CRITICAL MOMENT.
While they were yet some fifty feet from the bot
tom they saw u man named Joe Bracken run out
from his hiding place with lighted lamp which he
about to apply to q fuse connecting with
heavy charge OF dynamite at the foot OF the ladder
This reserved tor the last, and il touched of
would have blown the visitors to pieces. instantly
guns from the men on the ladder were leveled
ut the head of Bracken and halt was called Cap.
tain Mckinney said:-
''If you tire that fuse will blow your head off,.
Then addressing his companions added, LET every
man shoot to kill
Contractor Maley. who was watching the
from the mouth OF the pit said Don't light it, Joe:
retreated to his cave, and the Scranton men soon
hurried to the bottom. The workmen We're loath to
leave, but after lively pricking Qf bayonets they
hurried up the ladder and fresh gang Of men was
put i'll their places. Mr. Scranton and his
party then lowered to the other vein
800 feet deep-n buckets and they drove
gang OF reluctant workmen out OF there and then
returned to the suDface once mole.
The Sheriff stood and watched this exciting scene.
and crowds OF persons were assembled at the mouth
OF the pit when the Scranton men came out. ON
coming out they arrested and held to bail in
the sum of $3.50 each. The contractors and Bracker
were also arrested The will engage the atten-
ton of Court at and intense interest is felt in
he