The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-04-08
Fighting at Fort Worth.

The extensive strike which has been in
progress along the line Of the Missouri
Pacific eliminated most seriously at Fort
Worth, Texas, on the 3rd inst.
ST. LOUIS, April 9.-A number Of
specials from Fort Worth report tina!
fighting occurred there to-day between
the strikers and the Sheriff's posse, in
which several persons were killed and
wounded on 10th sides.
Several hundred merchants and citizens
are now marching down the main street.
all armed with Winchester rifles and
sho,guns. Seven men are now dead and
a number are wounded. The gun stores
are closed and under guard.
Details of the desperate affair are
given as follows: The suggestive quiet
that marked the passage Of the freight
traiu through the city was not without its
sequel. When the train left the depot ii
was under the protection of posse oi
officers, commanded by Jim Courtwrig ght
The train proceeded to the crossing OF
the Fort Worth and Missouri road, when
it was stopped, as is customary.
What followed is reported by railroad
employee who was on the train. He
says: When the train stopped it was
noticed that several men were coprregat,
ed on the track in front. Th, 'sse
commander approached the me and
asked why they impeded the progress Of
the train, to which they replied that they
had nothing to do with it; that they
were not armed aud had no intention OF
interfering with the road. As the officer
returned to the train he noticed several
men sitting or lying on the grass few
yards from the train.
The entire posse advanced toward the
men in ambush until they had reached Il
ditch alongside the track, when they
commanded the throwing up Of hands.
Tie command was obeyed, but as the
hands came up they brought rifles with
them, which belched forth a deadly fire,
it is said, with fatal effect. There were
perhaps 100 shots fired.
After the first fire the posse advanced
aud continued firing. The ambushers
ret-eated behind some piles of ties, which
proved most excellent breast works, aud
from the security. of which they poured a
murderous fire into the posse.
From this position they were finally
dislodged and driven beyond the range oil
the posses pistols.
LArER.-Police Officer Fulford was
shot through both thighs. Special
Officer Dick Townsend was shot twice
through the left breast near the nipple
He died at $50 o'clock. Special officer
Charles Sneed was shot through the
throat and jaw. His wounds are fatal
Drs. Vaecker and Farrow, of the Mis-
souri, Pacific hospital, say that Sneed and
Fulford cannot possibly survive. Only
one of the strikers-Tow Mace, switch
man-was wounded. He is said to be
shot through the groin.
The people are in terrible state o.
excitement and appear dumbiounded
The breach between the law and the
strikers has been widened and the bitter
est expressions can be heard on every
side. There are hundreds of Knights ol
Labor in the city, who do not appear tc
regret the occurrence of to day.
The Mayor has issued proclamation
appointing rs deputy policemen and
ordering the saloons to remain closed
until Wednesday next. a petition has
been sent to the Governor for the State
Rangers, and military transportation for
troops has been applied for from Receiver
Sheldon.
The news is received here at midnight
that Adjutant General King aud two
companies of State rangers are on their
way to Fort Worth on special train.