Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-12
READY FOR THE FRAY
Patriotic Alleghenians Organize a
Company to Fight Germany.
THEY PEN THEGOVERNOk ALETTER
Showing an Ardent Spirit and Love for the
Stars and Stripes.
INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE LEADERS

If, after all, the fates decree that there is
to be war between America and Germany,
there is no doubt that $50 names of Allie
ghenians will go down on the pages of his
tory as having been the first to offer their
services for the defense of the ever-glorious
star-spangled banner.
The ,subjoined letter, signed by the secre-
tary of an organization that was brought to
life in Allegheny City on last Saturday
night, is the evident proof that Allegheny
is the center of patriotism. The letter was
received in Harrisburg yesterday, and the
Governor. as well as the executive department
in general had visions Of war brought loudly
before them at the receipt of the patriotic
effusions:
36 WINTER, -.-..s- I
ALLEGHENY CITY, March 10, 1889.
To His Excellency, James A. Beaver;
SIB-Recent rumors in regard to the trouble be-
tween the Americans and Germans at Samoa, and
the report that one of our vessels had been sunk
was the cause of no little excitement in our town
last night The true patriotism that exists only In
the hearts Of the good American was aroused at a
meeting that was held last night. The citizens of
my community-or an organization, rather, num-
bering about 375 able-bodied men--elected me as
their commander, with instructions to offer
of trouble. 1 can have a battalion Of
good men, well ofhcered; as there are number
of veterans and well-trained soldiers among us
At the front on short notice. ! want to say N here
For my part, think it win be settled quietly; at
g nope Win % bnnoI BS m dnr StaTs sSd
Stripes, then give us war and we will light for the
hope You viii place this on file for reference,
and In case we are needed let know at the earli-
est date, and we will respond gladly, willingly,
Very respectfully, your humble servant
JAMES II. BIGGER,
THE PROTECTOR INTERVIEWED.
Mr.. James n. Bigger, the writer, was seen by
DISPATCH reporter last night at his resi-
dence. He is young man, a sergeant under
Captain ]. Penney, in Company g, Eighteenth
Regiment. When asked as to how the organi-
zation had originated, he said:
when the first news of the probable trouble
In Samoa came to US through the papers, a lot
of us young fellows at once began to talk of the
matter, and spoke about going out to fight. We
called some older and wiser heads into
Mr.. James H. Cahill, an old man,
who had served in the English army for many
years and he also went through the war of the
rebellion. he is a first-rate military man. and
has had great deal of experience. When we
had laid the matter before him, he suggested
that we ought to call meeting and see how
many fellows would join US. The consequence
was that we assembled last Saturday night, in
hall on Federal street, near the bridge. We
were surprised to see so many, however. Every
body had spoken to his friends. you know, and
it appeared that everybody was equally anx-
There were over $50 in the hall at o'clock,
when Mr.. Cahill, who had been unanimously
elected President, called the meeting to order.
In a very few words he made the object of the
organization known to all of US. He said that
the impending trouble called for immediate
action upon the part of everybody who loved
his native land, or the land of his adoption.
He said that it would be best to come to the
front at once and give loud and decisive evil
dence of the fact that Americans were ever
ready to defend the honor and glory of the ma
tion's flag.
THEY ALL SPOKE ALIKE.
"He was followed by John Foley, Harry
Davis, William Prophit and several others, who
addressed the meeting in similar strain. I
had been elected Secretary of the meeting,
and resolution was passed that we should
offer ourselves to the Governor of Pennsyl.
vania as being ready at any time to leave home,
friends and families to take up arms for our
country. A call was then made upon
those present to the effect that all
who were willing to enter into the
proposed company should come forward and
sign their names and actresses. Well, you
ought to have seen the string of people that
were standing around my chAirl In few mo-
menIS L naQ over zOU names, ana all the paper
had was tilled up, while there were still more
coming, ready to pledge themselves"
''Of what class of people did the meeting
chiefly consist?"
GERMANS ARE FOREMOST.
"There were great many American me-
chanics; but really there was no distinctive
element Germans and Irish were as numer-
Gus as native Americans; and must say that
the Germans especially were exceedingly anx-
ious to show that they meant to be Ameri-
cans, since they lived in and loved this
country.
"We do not know when another meeting will
be called Our main object has been accom-
plished. We have sent letter to the Gov
ernor, and told him that we are
ready at any time. Everybody who
signed his name pledged himself to be
ready at a moments notice, and feel conf
dent that conld have company of 500 men
assembled in the parks within two hours, if it
were necessary. Welare ready at any moment,
and only waiting for ORDERS"
The young man appeared to be thoroughly
imbued with the cause, and his eyes fairly
danced with enthusiasm.
In case the company should have to be organ
lied Mr.. Cahill is to be the commander, and
Mr.. Bigger his first officer.
THEY RETURN TO COAL.