The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-09-28

trouble to sound the alarm on the factory
whistle, and instructed one OF the inside
guards TO attend TO this as soon as any
trouble should begin. As soon Us the
fist volley was fred theguard pulled the
cord, but he gave 1t such hard Jerk that
II broke and there wa but one short,
hoarse below.
It only woke one employe, who lived
on the hill above the mill, and who came
charging down on the flank OF the mob,
all alone, firing as he came, and Joined the
mill force. 1t is unfortunate that the
cord broke, for could the town have been
aroused the mob would have had its re-
treat cut of in the rear.
RArrLrNa FIGHT.
The volley fired while Major Anderson
was talking opened sharp and vigorous
battle that lasted for fully twenty min
utes. The assault was bold and deter
mined one, while the defense was equally
so. Men on both sides fought brayely
and ieaflessly. The msjority Of the mob,
however, was made up OF men who acted
cowardly all through the fight. They con-
cealed themselves behind the railroad en-
bankment and from that position shot
carefully at the brave defenders.
Others searched along the west side OF
the warehouse and with powder grenades
attempted to fFs the building by throw
| ing them over the transoms. Daring the
twenty minutes that the fight lasted the
racket was terrific aDd the excitement
intense Over two hundred shots were
exchange, and few were fred at random, as
the marks to BIO seen atterward showed
careful aiming. The mill force was at q
disadvantage, being armed with reyolVeEs
only, there being only one shot gun on
the premises. That one gun, however,
was made to do good service. With their
revolvep, the guards were unable to reach
the larger portion OF the rioters, who wise
ly kept at safe distance, or were so pro.
tected by the embankmeDt as 10 be able
TO do lively work with their IevolTers.
On the other side there were several shot
guns and rifles.
sHARPsHooTER's WORK.
There was one murderous fellow who
had Winchester. He took up position
behind tree near the switch, and from
there took deadly aim at the opening,
where Mr.. Laughlin and Major Anderson
stood, but fortunately without any serious
results. The marks on the freight cars
show how close and miraculous WAS the
escape OF these two gentlemen from the
fellows fire. He was evidently q fine
marksnan, and the shots he made and the
weapon he used form good grounds tor
suspecting well known man. The vicious
cnck OF his rifle was heard with clock
like regularity amid tho noise and confu-
sion that prGdominated, and his bullets
Whistled unpleasautly close about the
heads Of the mill defenders.
AS showing the force OF his shots It may
be stated thai one bullet that struck the
end OF the car passed through the thick
boards, through the car and the other end
OF the car.
ALEADER IDENTIFIED.
There is one man, who is known, who
acted as a leader. He was in the thick OF
the storm Of bullets nearly al! the time
shouting ont, "Coma out here, you -
blacksheep -" and then turning to
his followers would say to them, Come
on you - towards; don't hang back." "
These cries were taken up and repeated
by the others.
The ammunition Of the mob began to
run out, but still they kept up the attack
with stones and pieces Of cinder until
forced by the steady and never ceasing
lire from the mill to retire.
When the fight was at its height, very
bold attempt was made to kill Mr.. Laugh
lin by one OF tho rioters. Mr.. Laughiin
and the res. OF his force at the time We're
directing all their FIRE to the man behind
the tree and the leader referred 10, in the
hopes Of silencing them. While thus en-
gagged, one OF tho mob sneaked along the
south end of the warehouse until
up to the corner where MIR. Llughlin
stood. When the fellow leveled up the
shot gun he carried its muzzle was within
1.-Two feet OF Mr.. Laughlin's head. AS he
fred Mr.. Laughlin dropped back and the
load buried itself in tho side Of tho car.
So close was the charge fired that the side
OF the building was b!ackened by the
flash OF the powder. Mr.. Laughlin stepped
forward instantly and emptied the con-
tents OF a revolver at the fellow as he re-
treated. It's believed that the fellow was
badly wounded at that time.
Soon after the fight opened, Mr.. Laugh
lin rushed into the warehouse where the
heaters and rollers were lodged. Their
beds arc in the south end, Just where the
assault was being made. They had bsen
reused by the firing, and were preparing
to get out and participate in the row. This
Mr.. Laughlin wonld not allow them to do.
He told them, however, II the guards
should be repuised aud an entrance made
by the rioters, to defend themselves to the
bitter end.