Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-06
GRIMES and ACCIDENTS.
RIOTERS ARMING.
Preparing for a Stubborn Resistance to
the Police.
Fears that Fridays and Saturdays
Riots are but the Beginning of
Long and Bloody Strife.

police at Ineian Ridge Saturday evening.
showed that the statement was an error that
Kreiger and Blaker were shot. The wounded
man is Oscar Whitman of Pottsville. His
wound is in the inner part of the left thigh,
and it is an ugly one. The physician attend
ing him has been unable 10 find the bullet
There are from $50 to 200 of the officers in
the extemporized barracks, which are pas
senger ears fitted up with sleeping accommo-
dations, while two freight cars are used as
eating rooms. Capts. Christian and Will
liams are in command. They have guards
stationed at short distances along all the
roads leading to the Indian Ridge and Key
ley Run collieries. and no one is permitted to
approach unless he is known. The most
serious trouble is feared on Monday, when
the Kelley run and William Penn collieries
will attempt to resume operations. Bloody
work may then be looked for if the strikers
threats are fair gauge of their intentions.
As was anticipated, the riot of Friday night
was renewed Saturday evening and the man
ner in which il was gone about leaves no fur
ther room for doubt that it is part of an or
ganized plan to compel all miners to remain
idle until general resumption of work takes
place. Open condemnation of the Coal and
Iron officers in defence of themselves is indulg-
ed in by many from whom it was not expected,
The mere pretense of the authorities at pre-
pairing to prevent any further violence only
encouraged the rioting Poles and Hungarians,
and whetted their appetites for more turmoil.
1t was generally known during Saturday
afternoon that the Poles were buying all the
revolvers that could be had in town, and that
they were holding meetings at central points
for the purpose of agreeing on concerted ac
ton. Yet, beyond the swearing in of twenty
special policemen, all of whom were in sym
pathy with, if not engaged in the strike, the
chief burgess did nothing to avert the storm
that was impending.
Towards o'clock they began to gather in
the small circus ground south of the Kelley
run colliery, on the surrounding hillsides
and in all the streets, alleys and yards of the
vicinity. By o'clock, when the gap bell
rang, the signal to quit work, and there were
fully 5000 men, women and children con-
gregated in Waiting for the workmen. Not
all of these were Poles, but those in the
front rank were and armed with revolvers,
clubs and stones they impatiently looked for
the coming of the Ripley Rein employees.
They regarded the other thousands who
stood behind them rs passively endorsing
their work, if not actively engaging in it.
The breaker boys were the first to quit work
and start for home. 1t was not thought by
the mems 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 it soon became
evident that, if the rioters were to be check
ed at all it must be by the authority of the
coal and iron police and cold lead. The
borough specials had disappeared and while
the riot was going on, the chief burgess was
running around trying to hunt them up
Suddenly the coal and iron men, to the num-
ber of 22 formed on the flat, at distance
of about 80 yards below the breaker, in the
very front of the bowling mob which con-
tinued to pelt them with stones as they form
ed, coming front, with drawn drawn revol-
vers, heavy and self-cocking weapons, the
mob recoiled and stood at bay, its temper
cooled by the knowledge that
they were facing death.
Later.
The rioting Poles to-day kept quiet in the
saloons that are their headquarters, drinking
and discussing plans for tomorrow 1t is
currently understood that they do not propose
to allow anybody to work at the Reading or
Individual collieries, either at dead or
other work, if they can stop it. They boast
that labor agitators have approved their acts.
They speak in the warmest terms of the ad
miration of Chairman Lee of the railroader's
committee, and insist that what they do is
in accordance with his advice to maintain
solid strike, and that it will be adhered to.
They will do their utmost to block the
Keyley Run and William Penn mines by
whatever means they can. What will be
done at Kelley Run tomorrow is not yet
determined, but it is believed by many sup
erntendents that they will not attempt to start
up. The William Penn mine will be worked
and ne violence on the part of the strikers
will be permitted.
The Coal and Iron police, picked body
of men, are armed with Winchester rifles
and determined to preserve order in the
future, even if it is necessary to use the
rifles.
Wellington Penitentary, small colliery
at the south end of the town employing about
100 men, has been shut down until it can be
determined whether mob or law is to rule.
In the absence of any indication the local
authorities will take precautionary measures
against rioting. There is talk of forming
vigilance committees to deal with the leaders
of any further disturbances.