The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-08
RIOT AMONG LABORERS.
PITCHED BATTLE BETWEEN swEDEs
AND UNEMPLOYED MINERS
At the Bevier Coal Mines, Near Macor,
Mo. Two Thousand Shots Fired, But
Only One Man Killed-Latest News.

MACON, Mo-, Dec. 7.--Another pitched
battle occurred at Bevier Wednesday night
between the Swedes who work in coal
mine No, and the unemployed or strk-
ing miners, which lasted until an early
hour in the morning. There were between
1900 and 1000 shots fired. Tho most OF
the row OF business houses north Of the
Hannibal & 81. Joe Passenger Depot were
riddled with bullets fred by the Swedes.
Many OF the windows were pierced with
holes. The rioters were located In build
ings and about half dozen were wounded.
One man, Charles Thornbold, a Swedo
from Chicago was killed while trying TO
escape from one OF the buildings to a shaft.
Hoslilities have ceased. Tho citizens of
| Bevier held meeting last evening and
adopted resolutions deprecating the law
lessness and pledging themselves TO assist
the civil authorities in keeping peace here
after.
Reports rs to who started the battle are
conflicting, and nothing satisfactory can be
learned. The Sheriff has telegraphed the
condition Of affairs to Gov. Morehouse,
and a company of militia will be taken TO
Bevier MS soon MS possible.
Later news from the scene Of the labor
riot at Bovier, Mo-, is very meager, but it
| is known that order has been at least tom
porarily restored. w. II. porteriicld, night
operator at Bevier, left his instrument in
the depot when the shooting commenced
aud took the first train east There are
many conflicting statements as to how the
shooting started, but the prepondcrance Of
evidence goes TO show that the Swedc ele.
ment were the nggrcssors, particularly
those in the LOOMS q Snivcly mines.
| Charles ii. Ihornbold, known TO have
| been shot, was eth alive this morning, but
is not expected to survive. Sheriff Lydia
Is NJ Bcvier with a posse, but he admits
that nc il powericss, and has so notified
the Governor. Tho Sheriff is of the opin-
| ion, however, that the militia would ac-
complish only temporary good.
Latest adyices from Bcy.er are 10 the
effect that an armed neutrality still exists,
| and no fresh violence has occurred, but an
outbreak Is liable 90 occur at any moment.
| A gentleman who Iasscl through Beyigr
after the riot stated that tho report that
some 1900 or 1900 shots were fired * not
cX iggcraled, as Is established by the bull
! lctperioratcd buildings in the vicinity OF
the depot. Dozens OF windows were shat
| tered and the front OF the depot building
was riddlcd with lead. Tho stockado IN
| which the Swcdcs sought refuge is tear
| fully torn aud splinjofed aud the only
| marvel IL that hut one man was shot. In
/ fact, that portion OF Bevier near the depot
\ resomblcd battle ground, aud hundreds
II cartridges could be picked up in the
street. IL Is now positively asserted that
/ the fire on the cngno-house roof was not
the work OF incendiaries, but caught from
locomotive sparks.
The Po tDispaich has a special from JEFF
fcrson City, Mo-, which says that Gov.
/ Morchousc has just received telegram
from George Lydia, sheriff OF Macon
| County, giving the details OF the riot the
night OF the 9th, aud informing the Gov
crnor that ho Is powerloss 10 control the
outlawry that exists. The sheriff there.
! fore inyokos the aid Of the State and urges
| the Governor 10 send suiiicicnt force Of
militia 10 preserve the peace aud project
the lives aud properly Of citizens lie
urges that this be done at once. Gov.
| Morchouse will take no action until he
/ hears from Acknowledgement amisOn, who
Is now on his way to BeyicL
To RpuJiic's special from Macon,
Mo-, says al Is quiet at B1yicr, Mo,
/ where the big riot occurred Wcdnrs-
/ day night Sheriff LYDIA and posu
| o ,lcrrd the representatives 81 the con-
| ling forces 10 keep oil the streets at
n ght under pain Of arrest, and the Shor.
/ 10 ; orders have thus lar been obcyed.
This evening Sheriff LYDIA received a ielc.
gram from Adjuiani- Gcneml Jamison, who
stopped of nj Jefferson City, announcing
that he would arrive IN licyier tomorrow
aud the request for militia would thea be-
acted upon. Sheriff LYDIA remained In
Bowler tonight for the purpose OF seeing
That peace was maintained. The sheriff IL
firmly convinced that there u nov no
remedy save In the presence Of the militia,
until some adjustment Of the difference
between mine owners aud operatives can
be- reached. lie expresses the opinion
that unless the Governor ncs promptly
the disgracciul scenes Of Wednesday night
will bc repeated.