The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-05
THE STRIKERS LAST RESORT
Official Cowardice Results in Second
Serious Outbreak at Shenandoah.
Boys Brutality Beaten and Special Police
man Fatally Shot-Pittsburg Rioters Sur
prised by Unexpected Resistance.

SHENANDOAH, Pa, Feb. 4-As anticipated,
the riot of last night renewed this evening
and the manner in which it was gone about
leaves no further room for doubt that IL is part
of an organized plan to compel all miners to lie
idle until q general RESUMPTION OF work takes
place. Open condemnation of the coal and iron
officials defense of themselves Is INDUCED 10 by
many from whom il not expected. The
mere pretense of the authorities of preparing to
prevent any further violence only
coursgsd the rioting Poles and Hun
earians and whettei their appetites
for more turmoil II was generally known, dur
ing this afternoon, that the Polanders were buy
ing all the revolvers that could be had in town,
and that they were holding meetings at central
points for the purpose of aeresing concerted
action Yet beyond the swearing in of twenty
special policemen. all of whom were in sym
patty with, If not engaged in, the strike, the
chief burgess did nothing to avert the storm
that was impending, while the sheriff was alb
sent at the county seat. The Poles were open
in expressing their intention to stop the Kelley
Run colliery from doing any work after to-day,
and warning from the coal and iron police had
no effect them, their replies being, 1--WE emp
~ hands last night; pistols now kill; business"
and SO it proved. Toward 3 O'Clock they began
to gather the circus grounds south of Kelley
Run colliery, on the surrounding hillside.
and in all the streets, alleys and
yards of tho vicinity. By o'clock,
when the bell rang the signal to quit work there
were fully three thousand men. women and chill
dren congregated in waiting for the workmen.
Not all of these were Poles, but those in the
front ranks were and, armed with revolvers.
clubs and stones, they impatiently looked for
che coming of the Kelley Run employees. They
regarded the other thousands who stood behind
!, them as passivey indorsing their work. if not
actively engaging in it. The breaker
boys were tho first to quit work aud
start for home It not thought by
the mine managers that the mob would MODEST
these mere boys, but it was bad judgment, for
they kicked, stoned and beat them as though
they had been responsible adults few men
who braved the mob also met the same fate.
and IL soon became evident that IL the rioters
were to be checked at all it must be by the
authority of the coal and iron police and cold
lead. The borough specials est,
and while the riot going
the chief bTrgess was running round trying
10 hunt them mp Suddenly the coal and
iron police to the number of twenty-five
formed on the fiat al distance of about fifty
yards below the breaker, in tho very front of
the bowling mob, who continued TO pelt them
with stones. As they formed company front
with drawn reyolvers-heavy, sef-cocking
weapons-the mob recoied and stood at bay,
its temper temporarily cooled by the
conservative part OF the crowd, that which was
only there spectators, drew back to safe
distance The Poles. however, still remained in
the foreground, waiting for move on the part
of tse officers. The latter, a. command from
= their leader, made wheel TO the left and
mar,hed off along the pike road leading to the
east aud toward the '.Red bridge" which spans
the Lehigh Valley railroad whore the Reading
crosses it and connects the gap colery with the
Indian ridge The Poles slowly followed for
brawny individual who hourished large
revolver and seemed determined to use it. The
platoon OF officers marched slowly up the
slight elevation of the road, which, as it rose,
HORNED an embankment for the Lehigh Valley
Frced. AS they neafed the top of the road they
tws-e suddenly fred on by few Poles. who had
icrep, along under the shadow OF the bank.
Zone If the Officers, Oscar Wilmen. fell with
ugly wound in the inner part of the left thigh:
tThe physician called has not been able to find
abe bult. The police then turned and fired re-
peatedly the direction OF the mob but with
sout hittinf any one as far as known. The mob
Eeturned tie fire with vigor but drew back at
the same tine. The officers marched off again
along the r,ilroad, through the bridge and down
ito Indian Ridge breaker, where they quartered
in the Offices Part OF the mob followed aud be-
alleged them here, but made attack. The
officers have heir carbines, and the Poles
to have . wholesome fear of the sixteen
shooters After the shooting had been done,
the chief burgess, with few specials and mem
bers of the strikers advisory board, appeared
on the scene ami succeeded in getting the ma
jority of the crowd, not the combatlve part,
though. to dispense to their homes, and tempo
rary peace was obtained.
A visit to the qlsrters of the coal and iron
police At Indian Eldge this evening showed that
Sthere from 15t to 200 of the officers in ex-
temporized barracks, which are passenger cars
fitted up with sleeping accommodations, while
two freight used as eating-rooms.
captains Christian and Williams are in COM
fmand They have guards stationed at
short distances along all The roads
leading to the Indian Ridge and Kelley Run
colserise. and no one is permitted to approach
unless known. 1t is rumored that the mob in
g. foffs C.,ff Ho
Kelley Run during the night and terrorizng
chem there. How much truth is in that
remains to be seen. The most serious
trouble is feared on Monday, when Kelley Run
and William Penn golfers will attempts to re-
sumo operations. Bloody work may be looked
for if the strikers threats are a fair
Ia in town tonight, but is doing
nothing toward meeting any trouble that may
arise. Both sides remain quiet, and he con-
siders that there is necessity for doing any
thing in the line of precautionary measures. In
the meantime the poles are drinking all the
liquor they can get and printing themselves for
any conceivable mischief.
PoTTsvILLE, Feb. THE report of a second
outbreak at Shenandoah this afternoon again
raised the excitement in this city to fever heat.
Chairman Lee and the other strike leaders here
professedly condemn the violence rssorted TO by
the rioters, but the fact does not
the notice aud comment of outside OBJ
servers that they persisted in holding
strike meeting at Shenandoah last night, on
the very heels of the riot. and that they con-
denim and denounce the coal and iron police as
the provokers of the disturbances The
coal and iron force still feel, and are
generally regarded capable of dealing
with the turbulent element although there
is talk of calling upon the sheriff and even of
military intervention. The four coliieries at
Shenandoah. the resumption of which oc-
casioned the outbreak. suspended again today.
owing to the prevailing excitement 1t is ex-
pected, however, that they will again resume on
Monday.
Ii is reliably reported that ballot taken last
evening by the miners of Big Mine Run colliery
resulted in decision TO go TO work the per
cent. advance, the vote standing 80 to 90
Surprise for Mob of Strikers
PrTTsBURG. Feb. AIS was feared. collision
occurred this evening between the non-union
men, at the Solar iron-works, and the strikers,