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

MINE-UsISG THE DREAD EXPLOSIVE AS A
wEAPoN-A FUSE THAT WAS NOT FIKED-A
CRITICAL MOMENT AND THRILLING SCENE
BREwsrERs. n. Y. Nov. IL. 1879
This usually quietcorner of Putnam county is still
very much excited over desperate tight for an ore
mino which occurred here few days ago between
party of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Companyt
employees from Scranton. Pa, and a couple of stub.
born Contractors who, with gang of their work.
men, endeavored to hold possession Of the Lilly Fos
ter pit on the pretext that they had contract with
the company and Could take as long they liked to
carry it out. short time ago the Lackawanna Iron
and Coal Company of Scranton purchased this mine.
and verbal contract was made with two men named
Canleld and Maey TO 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 Cosgrin that
their services were needed no longer. They refused
vacate the property alleging that their contract
with the company called for several thousand tons
OF ore and they could get it out in long short
time as they saw fit. Cosgrif then sent Constable
Day with orders TO eject them forcibly. but OF
the workmen swung u hammer ut Day and he de-
parted.
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 saw Canhed. The latter was very
profane and said. "He'd be damned if he'd give up
possession until his contract filed Mr. Scran-
ton then photographed for his attorney Mr. Hamilton
Wallis OF New York city, and at the time sent
q despatch for Captain g. w. Mckinney. of the COM
panys Coal ana Iron Police at Scranton. asking
him to come at with trusty meIl.
The squad left Scranton at 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 were driven il carriages from the sta
ton to tho mine. Mr.. Scranton again held long
parley with Contractor Msley. and said the company
would pay him whatever his contract called for II
he Withdrew from the property and in case he felt
damaged to any extent they would be willing to
arbitrate the matter. This Maley refused to do He
had twelve in the pit holding possession.
DESCENDING THE LADDER.
As soon as 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 rckety ladder which led into the pit, depth of
200 feet. They sooner did than the Maley gang
at the bottom fired blast of dynamite and 1t sent
shower Of broken stones flying out of the pit and
rafting around the heads OF the invaders whoselives
We're i'll imminent peril. Nothing daunted, however.
u 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 touched off, and the shaky ladder
hardy seven escaped injury from the flying rocks.
aud soon as they could steady the miserable
ladder they fastened down toward the foot with in
creased celebrity.
A CRITICAL MOMENT.
While they yet some fifty feet from the bot
tom they man named Joe Bracken run out
from his hiding place with lighted lamp. which he
about to apply to fuse connecting with
heavy charge dynamite the foot of the ladder.
This was reserved tor the last. and il touched of
would have blown the visitors to pieces. Instantly
guns from the men the ladder were levelled
at the head Of Bracken and halt was called. Cap
tain Mckinney said:-
..If you iire that will blow your head off,"
Then addressing his companions, added. LET every
man shoot to kill"
Contractor Maley. who watching the scene
from the mouth OF the pit said, Don't light it, Joe;
they'll kill YOU" Joe didn't light it. but quickly
retreated to his cave and the Scranton men soon
hurried to the bottom. The workmen were loath to
leave, but after lively pricking Qf bayonets they
hurried up the ladder and fresh gang of men was
put in 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 more.
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 were arrested and held to bail in
the OF $3.50 each. The contractors and Bracker
also arrested. The will engage the atten-
ton of Court at and intense interest is felt in
the result