The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-05
A Mob of Strikers Assail the Militia with
Stones and Other Missiles, and the
Troops Respond with VOlley.
Two Persons Killed and Three Others
Injured by Bayonet Wounds.
The Outbreak Attributed to the Action OF
the Sheriff in Releasing the Seventy
Strikers Captured on Saturday.
A SERIOUS RIOT.
Strikers Pelt the Militia with Stones, and tin
Troops Respond with Bullets.

LEMoNT, Ill.,, May 5.-The strike among the
quarrymen here and at Joliet has finally assumed
proportions of magnitude. The men, who went
out because they failed to receive an advance of
wages from 81. so to 81. 75 day, have been in
turbulent condition for four weeks, during which
of quarry owners had repeatedly tried
to resume operations, but the strikers
invariably drove the workmen away,
and for two weeks have dominated,
and in measure terrorized the entire surround
ing region. 1t became evident. on Friday, that
the county authorities could not control them,
and the Governor was asked to send troops He
responded promptly by sending five companies,
from Joliet. Ottawa LaSalle, Streator and
Bloomington.
The first meeting between the troops and the
strikers occurred between Lemont and Joliet,
on Saturday afternoon, when four hundred
strikers, who were marching on Joliet from
Lemont, fled when exposed to sudden attack
by the militia Seventy of their number, how
ever were captured by the troops, disarmed
and marched to Joliet under guard. On Sunday
morning, however, the sheriff of Will county re-
leased the prisoners and they returned to Le-
mont, where they are credited with provoking
trouble which resulted in serious rioting to-day.
The occasion of bloodshed to-day is therefore.
generally attributed to the ill-advised action of
in some quarters with having sympathzed with
the rioters.
Matters remained quiet over Sunday, but
when the troops arrived from Joliet, this morn
ing, to protect the quarries at Lemont, they
were met by very large and apparently we'll
organized mob. Prior to the coming of the
troops the rioters had boarded several passenger
trains on the Chicago & Alton road, armed with
clubs to prevent the disembarking of any
troops. The troops were landed, however, one
mile south of Lemont.
At $50 this morning Colonel Bennett, com
mandlng the troops at Joliet received orders
from the Governor to proceed to La
mont. A special train was in wait
ing. and at o'clock four companies
Of the Fourth Regiment, with a detachment
of G Battery of artillery, of Joliet, and Cat
ling gun and camp equipments left for Lemont.
About one mile from town they were met by
Deputy-sherif Potter, and the troops disem-
barked The sheriff ordered the colonel to deploy
his men, as there was large crowd assembled
at the depot waiting for the train. Company D, of
through the quarries, the line extending from
the canal to the bluffs. The main body, con-
sstng of Company A, of Streator, under
Lieutenant st. Clair; Company G, of Joliet,
under Captain Jackson; Company G, of Bloom.
ington, Captain Smith, the Gatling gun detach-
ment, under Lieutenant Kimber of Springfield,
moved north along the bluff road until they
reached street crossing az right angles to the
bluff, where they were met by the city marshal
followed by crowd making demonstrations.
The marshal ordered the troops to halt, but
he was told by Colonel Bennett to retire"
or he would be placed under arrest He COM
piled.
Company G moved across the street and
going up three streets north, took up com
mandins position with a Gatlng gun detach-
ment, under cover. Deputy Sheriff Potter
disperse They refused, and companies A
and B, in columns of companies, advanced
at the point of the bayonet The
mob then retired into houses and yards,
hut a portion faced the troops making
demonstrations and throwing stones Soon
those who had gone into houses returned and
attacked the troops in the rear, the signal being
given by the firing of pistol from window
Company A suffered severely, no less than six
teen men being hit by stones, and one of them,
private George Boggs, was badly hurt The
rear rank of the company faced about and opened
fire.
Company B was attacked on the right flank,
further north, and tho first four of the com
pany was depoyed across the road. AS the
mob pursued in the attack, some ten shots were
fired and Company A charged the mob, which
retired 1t was here that the casualties oc-
CURED. The command then advanced up the
street, and were joined at the railroad depot by
Company d, who had been skirmishing along the
railroad at the point of attack, and advanced