Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-10-01
THE MARTINS FERRY RIOT.
An Armed Band of Strikers Attack
the LaughIin Mill.
Several Wounded, and a Dozen Ar
rests Made.

rtSlS Mdu6.
A force of armed men made an assault
on the Laughlin Mill, Martins Ferry, at
2 o'clock Saturday morning. The fea>
lures OF the strike at this mill are well
known, as is also the efforts of the pros
prietors 10 keep the mills going, procur>
ing labor wherever it was possible. On
Tuesday of last week, force of twenty
men arrived from McKeesport, Pa, and
took places in the mill, which bas been
running ever since.
1t had been known that threats of vio-
lence had been made, and that an assault
on the mill was probable, and an armed
guard had been retained to protect the
wOrkmen and property.
Shortly after 2 o'clock on Saturday
morning, the guard noticed the approach
of body of men, about forty in mum Der,
and called halt, but was answered by
volley of bullets, which aroused the en-
tire guard and brought to their assist,
ance Alex. Laughlin. President of the
Mill Co, and Major ]. c. Anderson,
Wheeling insurance man, who were in
the Office.
Major Anderson addressed the crowd,
advising them to leave off their lawless
work, but be was answered by volley
of musketry, and Immediately joined in
with the defense, using a navy revolver.
Unfortunately, in pulling the whistle
cord to sound the alarm, it was pulled
too hard in the excitement, and broke
of, so that general alarm to the people
of the town could not be sounded.
The volley fired at Major Anderson
was only the opening, for the battle last
ed full twenty minutes, round after round
being fired from both sides, and then il
only ended because the attacking party
run out of ammunition. The assault
was bold and determined one, but was
not successful because it was met by
band of brave and determined defenders.
One part of the attacking party at
tempted to fire the mills by throwing
hand grenades over the transom into
the warehouse and where The present
employees of the mill were being lodged.
These were made by boring out portions
of sugar sapling, and the hole filled
with powder, with fuse attached. Two
of these bombs were exploded in the
mill, bat did little damage
To show how serious a matter it was,
it may be mentioned that over 200 shots
were fired, and the wonder is that there
were SO few casualties.
THE INJURED.
OF the defenders, Thomas Duff re-
ceived charge of squirrel shot in the
breast and stomach. Milliard Bailey had
rifle shot wound through the right hip.
Doctors took over go shot the former and
made both men comfortable.
The other side Jared worse, though of
course how many of them were injured,
will probably never be known. Thomas
Dawson, roll hand, of Martins Ferry,
shot in the back, affecting the spine,
lower limbs paralyZed. Phillip Reisling,
a heater from Mingo, Was shot three
times, ana his wounds are said to be
fatal. A man named Wright from Min
go, and Clark Lynn and Ed. Bender, of
Martins Ferry, were also slightly hurt,
and different rumOrs name several others
as having received slight wounds In the
melee.
THE ARRESTS.
On Saturday, Mr.. Alex Laughlin, Pres
ident of the Company, went to Bridge
port and SwOre out twelve warrants, Tor
the arrest of men alleged to have been
rineleaders in the attack on the mill.
These men were admitted to bail in the
sum of 800 each for a hearing before
Squire Robinson on Monday, and appear
ed at that time, when the examination
was postponed to 1 o'clock to-day. The
names of those under arrest. some of
whom possibly had nothing to do with
the affair, are, Richard Brown, Patsy
Mullen and Ed. Bender, nailers; Eugene
Wilson, Fred Nlemann, Henry Cartin,
John Bissett and William Bissett, heat
ers; John Allen and John Halpin, feed>
ers; Richard Stewart, roller, and Reese
Furbay, roll hand.
The attorneys i'll the case are Hon. R.
j. Alexander and w. P. Hays, Esq, of
SteubenvilIe, for the prosecution, and
Messrs. Duncan. Danford, Dovener aud
Elson for the defense.
There was possibly never in the his
tory of the county more deporable afr
fair, and the excitement everywhere was
very intense on Saturday, and bits of
news were eagerly grasped upon. What
ever the grievances of the men who made
the attack are, it is hoped that hereafter
some other course than that taken may
be pursued, and that individual and
property rights may rest secure. There
are peaceful and lawful ways to adjust
differences and such remedies should he
relied upon.