The Portland daily press., 1889-02-06
REVOLVERS WERE USED IN EARNEST.
A Striker Shot and Killed by a Street
Car Conductor.
The Driver and a Policeman Also
Fired Into the Mob,
Slightly WoundIng Several Others
who Were Helped to Escape.

NFw YORK. Feb GA large crowd of
strikers and sympathizers attacked a car on
the And street line at Boulevard and end
street at about o'clock this afternoon from
buildings in the neighborhood. There were
no policemen to aid the solitary officer on
the car. Thomas K. Schneider, and but one
passenger, an old lady. She got out when
the car stopped and escaped unhHrt The
windows of the car were shattered and
shower of stones fell upon the officer, driver
and conductor. Schneider used his club
freely, but could make no headway against
the mob. The driver and conductor defend
ed themselves as best they could. A rioter
got behind Schneider and smashed his he'll
met with brick, while another hurled
stone which struck the officer full in the
mouth, knocking out several teeth. Schnei-
der fired his revolver twice over the heads Of
the mob and few rioters ran away.
When the firing began the rest made an
other rush for the car. As they advanced
Schneider aimed at the leaders and fired
three times in quick succession. The driver
and conductor also fired. The mob wavered
and then fed in all directions. One wounded
man was left on the spot, and two less seri-
ously injured were helped away by their
friends. The wounded man was James Nc
Gowan, aged 25, a striking hostler from the
Belt line stable. He was taken to Roosevelt
Hospital, where he died few moments later.
Schneider went to police headquarters and
gave himself up. Superintendent Murray
sent an officer with him to the Essex Market
police court, where he was arraigned before
Justice Patterson.
Schneider stated that he had fired several
shots in self defence, and could not tell
whether MCGOWAN mad been struck by one
OF his bullets. Louis Brennan, brother of
Charities Commissioner Brennan, an eye
witness to the fight, said that McGowan was
shot by the conductor, who fired In self-de--
Schneider. and issued an order for the arrest
of the conductor. Mr.. Doolittle, who lives
in a house overlooking the scene, says he
saw the men coming from all directions as If
oy prea1rsngementS They concentrated
they drew two trucks over the track. and
then, at signal from the leader, every man
drew brick or stone from under his coat
and bombarded the car. Conductor Charles
Walker and Driver Frederick Kindor were
arrested this evening and locked up at police
headquarters, to be arraigned tomorrow
morning.
The street car strikers have lost much
ground tonight ana signs OF weakness on
their part are everywhere apparent. Many
old hands ON Sth and 9th avenue roads have
returned to work. A committee Of ~ 9th
avenue men had talk with General Master
Workman Magee today and said they had
concluded to resume work tomorrow.
Cars were run with considerable regulari-
ty on the Sth avenue road today. Twenty
five cars ran on the Grand street ferry and
34th street lines and Is on the Belt line. Sew
eral arrests fer trivial assaults on scabs were
made
William Kershaw one of the striking car
pet weavers whom the police have been
searching for, for assaulting the superinten-
dent of the factory was found acting as a
scab conductor on the Sth avenue line. He
was prominent Knight of Labor.
The board of aldermen this afternoon
adopted resolution that special committee
be appointed to arSitrate the differences be-
tween the street car companies and their
men. President Arnold named committee
of five.
The Strike Declared off.
NEW YORK, Feb. 5.-The street car tie-up
in this city was declared off tonight by the
Knights of Labor local assembly.