The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-04
RIOTING In THE COAL REGION
The Desperate Strikers Inaugurate a
Reign of Violence at Shenandoah.
NOn-Union Miners Assailed and the Town in
Possession Of MOb-Police Forced to Use
Their Revolyers to Save Their Lives.

SHENANDOAH, Feb. 3-The striking miners
here have as last overstepped all bounds. and
have been rioting mp and down the streets 10
full possession of the town. At o'clock, when
the non-union miners left their work in the
Shenandoah City and West Shenandoah col
Ieries, lot Of striking Polanders attacked them
with stones. A squad OF half dozen coal and
iron police went at once to their assistance
They caught of the rioters, and
were busting him off, when the strikers rallied
and rescued him. and began to handle the
officers roughly The latter, however, sue
ceeded in breaking away and started for the
Shenandoah City mine followed by the crowd
of riosous strikers, who now numbered about a
thousand, and who continued their attacks on
the men and boys coming from the mine. The
ak policemen accepted the long odds against
them and returned to the attack. They made
N sharp fight and took a couple OF prisoners, one
of whom they landed in Magistrate Shoenaker's
Office but the crowd rushed for the two
policemen with the other prisoner and
began to club and beat them Finding
themselves down and their lives in danger,
they drew their revolvers and fred into the
crowd, which scattered in all directions Mike
Heffron, a young man. received ball in the
mouth. and is badly injured. John Gather, an
iron founder, was shot in the arm, and Po-
lander was shot behind the ear. shot was
also fired by Polander, but with what effect is
not known. borough officer then arrested
both policemen for shooting in the borough.
They were taken before Squire Monaghan.
While there a warrant was sworn out by
n Poiarder, charging them with as
sault and battery with intent TO kill.
They pleaded guilty under advice of Captain
fyfM-
Pottsvills Jail when things took another bad
turn. The two magistrates officers on East
Center street a square and half part That
whole space was deuselv packed with people.
large portion Polish, who were wild with passion.
They surrounded both offices, yelling for the Off
GERS and saying: Lynch Them skill Them
etc. Suddenly q stone was thrown at Squire
Shoemaker's window. In minute the fronts
of both Offices were riddled with stones and their
inmates had tough scramble for safety. Some
bruised bodies resulted, bot serious damage
done except to the Offices which are
wrecked The town is in perfect uproar.
Men are mad with passion and drink, and no
one appears to have any power to quell them.
The borough authorities powerless and
one say how the mob's fury may come out.
Captain Christian will mass his whole force of
coal and iron men here tomorrow, together
with Captain Lindne's Pinkerton men. Sheriff
Duffy swore in tonight the three fire companies
of the town as q posse comitatus preparatory
for trouble tomorrow. The borough Council
also held a special session. and instructed Chief
Burgess Boehme to swear in special officers for
an emergency.
John Dnrkin. assistant foreman at Kohinoor
colliery, was shot at this evening by Poander,
but escaped injury. His assailant was arrested
Thomas Ryan, OF William Penn, Ia also under
arrest for participating in the riot He was
sent TO Pottsvills Jail
At midnight the mob has dispersed and every
thing 10 quiet No further trouble is appre-
hended for the present
READING. Pa, Feb 3-Another skirmish
with pistol shots is reported from the coal re-
Rions this morning. The miners at the William
Penn colliery were stopped by party of twenty
men from No g. and fight ensued. Strikers
also met the Rock Bank men at Turkey-run
switch and stoned some Polauders The at
lacking party strike at the Philadelphia
Coal Com pany's works. The coal and iron com
panys police, in disguise. were with the
Poles and made q rush for the assailants; Thorn
Ryan was captured and taken to the Potts
vile Jail The others were chased by the police
to No. school house, where they were met by
q large force, who fired two shots the officers
The latter did not return tho fire with their car
bines for fear OF killing some innocent people,
but went back and escorted the Poles to place
of safety.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 3.-An officer of the
PhiIadelphia g. Reading Railroad Company es-
timated to-day that at least five thousand
miners returned to work during the week ard
faid that there enough mines being worked
10 avoid any Inconvenience to the company or
A.