Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-02-04
Rioting in the Coal Regions.

l>dSt HlSOC was al eVepCIul one IN Tue ulS
tory of the great strike and probably seals
its fate Riot ran loose and not in years has
Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, seen such q
spectacle. All day the Shenandoah
City and West Shenandoah colieries work
ed with q good force of men, and
everywhere among the idle men, espe.
cially the Polanders, there were mutterings
that foretold the coming storm last night.
Il broke at 5 o'clock, when the miners at
work started to go home. Some Poland
ers opened fire on them with stones where
upon Coal aud Iron Policemen William
Meyer, j. n Diebert Jacob Shane and Pc
ter kreiger at once went to their aid. Mey-
or and Diebert caught one Polander and
hustled him up the street. As if by magic
the region sweimed with men and boys, and
in q second the prisoner was free and the
officers roughly handled. They got away
and started back for the Shenandoah City
mine, followed by the crowd, now humber
ing over a thousand. The latter continued
beating the workmen and boys as well,
when tbs officers in body again sprapg to
tne rescue. II was brave act, six men
against crowd ofsuch proportions, but for
five minutes il was successful. Then, as the
officers were going of-Meyer and Diebert
with one and Kreiger and Shane with an
other-the crowd surged on them again.
Kreiger got away with his man, and
fnaliy landed him in Squire Shoe.
makers Office Meyer and Diebert
were not SO fortunate. They were being
badly beaten with clubs, and we're both
down when they drew their revolvers, and
both fred into the crowd, which scattered
and ran in all directions. Mike Heffron, a
young man, received ball in the mouth
aud is badly injured. John Gather, an iron
founder, was shot in the arm, and Poland
er was SHOT behind the ear. A third shot
was fred by Polander, but with what eff
feet it is not known. James Shields, bor-
ough officer, then arrested both officers for
shooting in the borough. They were taken
before Squire Monaghan. While there a
warrant was sworn out by q PolaDder, char
giug them with assault and battery with
intent to kill. They pleaded guilty, under
advice Of Captain Christian, and were
awaiting committal to Pottsvil!e jail, when
things took another bad turn. The two
magistrate offices are on East Centcr street,
square aud half apart. That whole
space was densely packed with people, y
large portion Polish. who were wild with
passion They surrounded both offices,
yellinc for sie officers 10 Lynch tnem,"
"aii them,' etc. Suddenly stone was
thro%G at Shoemaker'a window. 1t w6s
the keynote for mad work. In minute
the front Of both offices were riddled with
stones and tneir inmates had tough scram
ole for safety Some bruised bodies
resulted bus no serious damage was done.
except to the offices, which are wrecked.
At Monoghsn's Officers Meyer, Debert,
Ofme, and Captain Christian were in
q small room separate from the main
room Through g window in its rear
they got off safe. Still. for half
hour, ihe mob, thinking them still in,
pelte3 the office The town is in q perfect
uproar, men mad with passion and drink,
and no one appears 10 have any power TO
quel them. The borough authorities are
powerless, aad no one can say how ne mob's
fury may yet vent itself. Il ia certain that
Capt. Christian will mass his whole force OF
coal and iron men here tomorrow, together
with Capt Lndens Pinkerton men. and it
is possible that the scenes of 1876 may be re-
newsd when the military force was called
out. How it will affect the men who were
VI work is yet 10 be seen. Many of them
say that if adequately protected they will be
or duty William Penn colliery worked
yesterday with every man on duty. Kepley
Run mine is in practically the same condi-
tion. There is no diviniug, however, how
this occurrence OF last night will affect the
men to-day. Sheriff Duffy swore in last
night he three fire companies of the town
as posse commtatus preparatory for trou-
be to-day. The borough council has held q
-pecial session and has instructed Chief Bur
CESS Roehm 10 swear in special officers for
do emergency. John Durkin, assistant fore
man at Kohinoor colliery, was shot at yes
terday evening by Po!ander, but escaped
injury His assaiant was arrested. Thos
r, au, of William Penn, is also under arrest
for participation 10 the riot there. He was
sent TO Pottsvlle jail. At midnight the mob
mad dispersed and everything was quiet.
No further trouble ia apprehended for the
present.