Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-06-07
WAR AT THE MINES.


A collision Between Miners and Militia In
the Beneville District-Female Rioters
Forcibly Take, Possession of q Mine and
Imprison the Owner-The Militia, FIRED
Upon by the Infatuated Miners, Return
the Fire, Killing One Man.
AN AMAZON MOB.
CoLLINsvILLE, H., May g.
The war between the miners and mine
owners eliminated yesterday in pitched
battle between the militia and the strikers,
in which over five hundred shots were ex-
changed, one miner killed, and one injured
so that he can not recover, and half q dozen
wounded seriously. Strikes have been In
progress in Madison and ST. Clair Counties
for the past two weeks, and have caused
such condition of affairs that last
Thursday Governor Hamilton ordered out
the militia to protect the mining property
near here. Companies from Taylorsville,
Edwardsvile and Virden responded-the
three commands amounting to about hun
dred men. They were placed in command
of Colonel Barley, of Springfield, who
was to receive his orders from the Sheriff
in whatever county the soldiers were sta
toned.
Just as the new force of miners was about
to begin work in the Rose Hill mine, near
West Belleville, yesterday morning, band
of one hundred and fifty women, composed
of the wives and daughters of the strikers,
marching two abreast and armed with heavy
clubs, appeared on the scene and compelled
the men to quit work. A Sheriff's posse
started out to guard the mine, but were
driven off by the women. Having complet-
cd ,air OF q plIar
there to see that the mandate was carried
out, the women marched to Reineck'S
mine three miles from Belleville,
on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and,
having been reinforced by large number
of strikers, they drove out the men working
there. They then tore up the railroad
switch and threatened to burn the surface
work of the mine The mob at that point
increased rapidly in numbers during the
day, and by evening numbered several hun
bred, including about one hundred women,
who were the most unmanageable of the
crowd, and are beyond the control of the
civil authorities. The Sheriff telegraphed to
Governor Hamilton for aid.
Word was sent to the commander Of the
militia. The three companies at once
boarded a train and arrived at Bellevile
late in the afternoon. They then went to
the Reineck mine, arriving at the train at
$50. On looking from the window of the
train they found a mob of five hundred
strikers and about one hundred frantic
women in possession of the mine. The women
were wild with rage and fury, and
more demonstrative than the men.
The train stopped in a ravine between two
high hills. Both the bluffs were covered
with the strikers, the women on the summit.
Deputy Sheriff Anthony, of st. Clair County,
assembled box on the depot platform, and,
addressing the strikers, said he had not
come there to have trouble. He wanted the
laws complied with in peaceable manner,
if possible.
Just then the report of pistol rang out
on the air, followed by couple more from
the summit of the hill The deputy felt the
bullet whistle by his ear, and noticing where
the smoke came from in the mob, he drew
his revolver and fired at the spot. This was,
signal for general fusilade from the mob,
and one Of the soldiers who was just get
ting out of the cars dropped with bullet
through the knee Two-thirds of the mill
tia were still in the cars when Deputy Sher--
if Anthony ordered Colonel Barley to give
the order to fire, and the Colonel shouted
out his order. The militia poured volley
into the strikers with deadly effect.
The miners retreated and returned the
fire when a second volley went after the
first Both men and women scattered like
sheep, and went helter-skelter through the
gulleys and ravines. After the smoke had
cleared away it was found that one of the
mob had been instantly killed and another
shot so badly through the head that he can
not recover. A third was shot through his
hips, and several made their escape leaving
blood trails behind them. The exact
number of wounded could not be learned,
but the following is the best authenticated
list
Fred Hoffmester, glass-blower, killed
shot through the head William Starkey,
shot through the head and hips; will die.
James Blanchard, wounded in the side;
dangerously. Martin Carroll, wounded
slightly in the left leg Elmer James, Of
Edwardsville, one of the militia, shot
through the fleshy- part Of the beg; not
dangerous. Is 3 s. = 4 AVA
Twenty-six Of the mob were captured and
made prisoners, and are now held by the
soldiers in camp. Company F. of Edwards
vile, numbering forty-1iye men, are garrf-
soned at Reineck with the prisoners. The
Taylorville and Virden companies left late
last evening for home, it is said but it is
to hold themselves in readiness to
move to CollinSvlle this morning. when
trouble is anticipated. At late hour every
thing was quiet in the Belleville district