Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-07-11
GREAT BEND, KANSAS. THURSDAY JULY II, 1889.
MAD STRIKERS.

Duluth Strikers Fight VITA Ro3feo-Se-
rfou Kesalts-Tw0 Killed ood Many In
jure1.
DULUTH, July a-Saturday afternoon
avenue and Michigan street, guarding the
mon who were at work in the sewer
trenches. The strikers started from Twen-
tieth avenue. while another body came
down from Third street by Fifteenth ave.
nue and made q rush with clubs and rocks.
The police stood their ground and then
the carnage began The strikers did the
first firing. As the strikers made a rush
a single shot was fired; then crack, crack
lowed by a fusilade from the strikers re-
volvers.
After the first fire came an awful crash,
as though the contestants were appalled,
at the awful result of their work. On the
walk in front of Piedmont as it joins Gar
Held avenue, lay a man shot through the
heart and several more bleeding from
ghastly wounds.
Then hell broke loose again and the
strikers, stationing themselves around the
buildings in different parts of the block
between Garfield and Eighteenth avenues,
poured in steady fire on the police,
who were stationed near the sewer ditch.
From four O'Clock until after five the
horrible work went on and the battle did
not withhold its fury long enough for the
wounded to leave the field. It was after
five when the last shot was fired, and ter
rible indeed has been the result. Over
fifteen are known to have been wounded,
and two innocent victims who were only
there out of curiosity paid for it with their
lives.
Following is q list of the dead and
wounded; One striker, shot through the
heart; Tom Fitzsirnmons, shot through
the back, can't live, but short time; Of
fcer Kilgore. shot through the shoulder;
George Costin, street car driver. shot
through head; Officer Nee, shot through
the hip; Officer Donovan, shot through
the face; Officer Kondae, shot through
the hip; bystander, fingers shot off; Ed
Cummings, cut by a bayonet through the
groin.
Captain Dewitt, OF Company Z, Second
regiment NJ. n. g., early in the morning re-
ceived orders from Governor Merriam, in
st. Paul, that would allow him to go to
the scene whenever needed. The big deep
bass whistle of Elevator D. had been
chosen as a signal to call the soldiers to-
gether, and about 4:30 this was sounded.
In short time they were hustling for the
armory, and in ten minutes were hustled
into the busses and on their way to the
scene of the disturbance. A succession of
taps on the fire bell also aided to call them
together. By five O'Clock they were at the
trench where the tragedy had already
taken place.
At five O'Clock Company K arrived and
with bayonets drove the crowds from
Michigan street.
At six O'Clock the strikers had dispersed.
At least thirty-f1ve mon are badly
wounded, and it is feared, fatally. Five
strikers were arrested, all being ring
leaders.
The situation is still ominous. There
are rumors that the rioters will be rein-
forced from neighboring towns and armed
with Winchester rifles will again attack
the police. There is little foundation for
the reports, however. With hundred
well armed special policemen on duty, it
is believed the authorities. with the as
sistance of the militia, will bs able to
withstand any attack.
Last evening Sergeant Frank Clements
and q fireman discovered q box 16 by 10
inches full Of dynamite cartridges and
fuse. and the report spread that the riot
ers were going to blow up buildings. How.
ever, it is claimed by some that the dyn.
amite was for the legitimate use of the
laborers. although the police received in.
formation that much dynamite was
secreted over tho street car barns. A
search failed to reveal the explosive, but
the police have not relaxed their Wig.
iiance.
It has been formally decided that no
parades of strikers will be hereafter al.
lowed and the police think they have
solved much Of the difficulty that has met
them.