Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-05-05
c0MMUEISM IN CHICAGO,

Yesterday was day OF terror and blood
shed in Chicago, and The acts which char
acterized the reign of the Paris commune
we're repeated Barricades were erected in
the streets, and the strikers, fired by the
speeches of the socialists and the presence
Of the police, committed acts OF violence
without number. At noon the striking lum-
Der men began to appear in the lumber dis
trict where the trouble occurred. A com.
mittee waited on the dealers and de-
manded eight hours work and ten
hours pay. The dealers replied, adj
yancing reasons for their inability to COM
ply. They then invited the men to return
on the old basis. The strikers left displeas-
ed at their reception, and one Of them said
that they would burn the yards. He was
arrested.
In the afternoon, in rain storm, tho south
western section of the city was the scene OF
another riot. crowd of anarchists and
their friends assembled on the corner of 18Th
and Morgan streets for the purpose Of hold.
ing meeting. The police, who had been
notified of the affair, kept close watch up
on the proceedings. Hostilties soon COM
menced. The crowd numbered nearly 1000.
A detective who attempted to arrest one OF
the disorderly men, was Immediately set
upon by the mob. Before he could escape
he was struck in the forehead by brick,
and knocked senseless. Revolvers were
drawn, and indiscriminate shooting began,
during which officer Strong was shot in the
hand. A number Of the riotous persons
were also injured. The police charged
the crowd, and made several arrests.
The socialist leaders had called meeting
to be held at the old hay market, which Is Is
capable Of holding from $4,000 to 10000
men. The utterances of the speakers being
of a most inflammatory character, and the
hearers growing riotous, the police ordered
the crowd to dispense. At first the socialists
fell back slowly, one of the speakers still
urging them to stand firm. Suddenly
bombs were thrown. The police retorted
instantly with volley from their revolvers.
The rioters answered, which proved they
were we'll provided with firearms. The
mob appeared crazed and holding its ground
poured volley after volley into the midst OF
the officers. The latter fought CALAMITY,
and at last dispersed the mob. Immediate
" after the first explosion the officers drew
their royolvers and fired round after round
into the mob. Large numbers fell, and as
they dropped were Immediately carried to
the rear by their friends. No estimate OF
the casualties can be given, but the police
state that fully fifty of them were wounded.
The drug stores in the vicinity were crowd
ed with people who were hurt, and doctors
were telephoned TO in all directions.
Before the firing had ceased the neighborlng
police stations were turned into temporary
hospitals At II o'clock twenty policemen
Law on the floor-all disabled and probably
half OF that number seriously.
On table in the house where the wound
ed policemen were, one poor fellow lay
stretched on table with terrible bullet
wounds in his breast. 4 few feet distant
was man with mortal wound in his SIDE
lying insensible on q cot. Around the
chairs, bandagcd and resting on supports OF
different kinds, were some fifteen or twenty
OF the officers who were wounded by The
bombs.
An officer, who was found lying in a
doorway where he had been carried or
where he had dragged himself, was brought
in, frightfully wounded. There were some
twenty of the socialists in the basement
Nearly all of them were wounded, and one
of them was dead.
When the news Of the killing of the po-
liecman reached the 1st regiment armory,
Arson Lehoth, a member of company {,
was disguised aud sent to tho scene OF
the conflict to take observations. He was
arrested, charged with being socialist, and
is still nnder arrest.
The latest reports state that three police
men have since died from their injuries,
and probably dozen Of tho mob Patrol
and ambulance wagons have been busy
picking up dying and wounded men and
taking them 10 hospitals At the present
martial law prevails in tho vicinity OF tho
conflict. and it is worth mans life TO appear
out of doors. Any one caught Oh the streets
is commanded to throw UP his hands, and
an Immediate search of his person is made
TO sec if he has any weapons concealed
about him.