The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-25
AT ST. LOUIS.
A Freight Train Finally Started-An En-
counter with the Police.

A Freight Train Finally Started-An En-
counter with the Police.
ST. Louis, March 24-The three executive
boards of the Knights Of Labor, now in session,
yesterday decided to meet with the business
men of the city tonight in Mercantile Library
Hall and advise with them upon the situation
before adopting any further measures intended
to result in an extension of the strike to other
railroads and other cities From committeeman
it mas been learned that the three executive
committees now in session here anticipate that
the meeting in Mercantile Library Hall tonight
will result in some action by the business men
OF the city which will procure a conference be-
tween the Knights Of Labor committee and Mr..
Hoxie, and a satisfactory adjustment of their
grievances. If it is then seen that nothing in
that direction is accomplished, some of the plans
already arranged will be put into execution.
The first of these is understood to be strike Of
the Knights of Labor in the railroad yards in
East ST. Louis, aud circumstances will then de-
eide what steps shall follow.
A freight train of fifteen cars was made up
this morning at the union depot and started
over the Missouri Pacific tracks in the direction
Of Seventeenth street. Arriving at that point
the crowd called upon the engineer and fireman
to leave their posts, which they did The mob
here soon became so dense that it was deemed
advisable to clear the yards, and the police
were summoned. Soon force Of
about $50, commanded by the chief Of
police and all the captains. arrived at the scene
The crowd was then ordered to disperse, and
upon their refusing to do SO the police made q
chs 1r;v <hnvc
without using their clubs. The latter alterna-
tive, however, it became necessary to resort to,
tho mob still resisting. During the struggle
which ensued several of the strikers were badly
beaten BY the police, some Of whom were, in
turn, badly bruised from the rocks thrown by the
mob After brief fight the crowd was dispersed
and driven from the yards. Another engine was
then procured, which, after being coupled to the
abandoned freight train, drew it from the scene
OF the riot, under guard Of about fifty police
who accompanied it as far as the city limits no
interference being met with. How far beyond
this point the train will be able to proceed can
time render its progress impossible
Just after the freight train had got away, car
rying q large portion Of the police force, the
mobs numbering about one thousand men. made
a rush for the machine shops of the Missouri
Pacific railroad, to take possession of them.
The courage, however, of majority of them
failed, and only about forty proceeded beyond
half way. and they soon abandoned the idea and
dispersed
A brief dispatch from Kirkwood, twelve miles
west of here, says the freight train passed that
point at 11:30 o'clock.
The board Of directors and the transportation
committee Of the Merchants Exchange of this
city, in joint meeting to-day, adopted resolu-
tions demanding that the strike on the Missouri
Pacific railroad and the Gould southwest
system Of railroads shall cease, and, as
. means to this end, that the strikers
upon these roads shall either return to their
former positions, or discontinue hndering those
who are willing to work. The resolutions also
invoke the civil and military powers of the
cities. counties and States, and, il necessary, of
the United States to enforce the law which
shall put an end to the present deplorable condi-
NJ affoi