Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-05
ToNE-CUTTERS' WAR.
The Militia Called on to Disperse
the Rioters Who Had COL
lected in the Streets.
An Engagement Between the Two Ensued
In Which Two Men Were Killed
and Several Wounded.
CHICAGO, Nav 4.


Sheriff Hausbet of this city. has lust re.
ceived word from Lemont that collision oc.
Cured between the troops and striking quarry
men at that town this morning and that two
of the strikers were killed. Two companies
OF State troops went to Lemont this morning
TO guard the quarries there and to enable the
non-strlklng men to resume work. No de.
tails have yet been received.
The action of the sheriff of Wills county in
releasing seventy strikers captured bv the
troops near Joliet last Saturday, and who
came from Lemont, is assigned rs one of the
causes of the present outbreak.
12.l5 p. M.-Three companies of the State
troops from Joliet LETT for Lemont and dis
embarked at the the Excelsior stone quarry,
two miles south of Lemont They were then
advised that the strikers in large numbers
had made an assault upon men loading a
canal boat with stone, one mile north of Lee
mont. Proceeding to that point collision
between the troops and strikers occurred
there little before noon.
LEMoNT, Ill, May 4.
About 1000 strikers assembled at the depot
here this morning, with the intention Of cap
turing the militia, if any came. Afterwards
they went to Walker & Singers quarries and
routed them.
AT - 30, four companies of militia and a
detachment of battery was carried from Jo-
liet, with Gen. Vance and Col Bennett in
in command They stopped at Excelsior
quarry and one company was deployed as
skirmishers, the other three marching to the
quarries, where mob was congregated, to
disperse them.
The troops were met on the edge of the
town by a mob of 800 or 400. Two compa-
nies under command OF Col. Bennet, formed
the front and charged up Main street, with
fixed bayonets. The other companies with
the detachment of battery, formed the right
and left on the side OF the streets, and the
command forward, charge bayonets," was
given.
The mob, with wild hooting and cheering,
met the main front with clubs and rocks As
the troops advanced steadily, the mob gave
way to the side of the street and hurled a
shower of rocks at them. and one fired a
shot.
Col. Bennett ordered them to be dispersed
and the number that refused to leave were
braided with bayonets. One man was seri-
ousy stabbed
Further up the street the mob reformed and
commenced hurling stones. detachment
was sent to disperse them and fired volley,
after which the rioters scattered. Two men
were killed. The troops are now clearing
the streets of bowling women and children
More trouble is apprehended. The troops
will encamp at the Singer quarries. The
militia displayed the coolest bravery. 1t is
reported that woman and child was killed.
number of soldiers were badly hurt BY the
flying missiles.
The following official report from Adjutant
General Vance, has been sent to Gov. Ogles-
by:
Col Bennett removed his command, except
one company, from Joliet to Lemont, arriv-
ing about "A. NJ, and formed a line south of
LemOnt.
Deputy Sheriff Potter conducted the troops
into Lemont, near the Alton depot, where
from 500 to 1900 strikers were congregated.
They were commanded to disperse and 90 to
their houses, by Deputy Sheriff Potter, but
they would not. The strikers rushed toward
the troops, throwing stones. Maj. Heffernan
and one or two others were struck and slight
lv wounded. The air was full of stones. In
salt defence the troops fired. Two strikers
were killed and several wounded.
Before the troops fired, pistol was fired
from house into the troops. The troops
have passed on to their original destination,
the Singer quarry. great many people are
on the streets now, but all is quiet"
When the mob were charged at the point
of bayonet, Company A suffered severely,
sixteen men being hit by stones, and one of
them, private, George Baggs, was badly
hurt The rear flank of the company faced
about and opened fire.
Company B was attacked on the right flank
further north. AS the mob persisted in an
attack, about ten shots were fired and Com
pany A charged the mob which retired. 1t
was here where the casualties occurred. The
troops have gone into camp, and though
there are large crowds lingering about, every
thing at present is quiet, but there are grave
fears of disturbance at any moment
1t is claimed that the woman who was
wounded accidentally, advanced toward a
soldier with a stone in her hand and seized
his musket. He tripped her up, and in fall
ing she fell against his bsyonet.