Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-28
MEN WITH MUSKETS
In Demand to Assist in a Flag
Presentation TO-MOrrOW.
MECHANICS IN EARNEST.
They Propose to Fly the Stars and
Stripes at Mucklerat,
IF IT TAKES 1000 ARMED MEN

zone thousand armed men are wanted to
march on Mucklerat for the purpose of
placing the American flag on the school
house" Such is The import OF circular
emanating from the Senior Order OF Amerl-
can Mechanics, in consequence OF an exclt-
ing episode on Saturday last at the Muckle-
rat schoolhouse, in Sterrett township. A
mob of foreigners confronted Senior Order
of American Mechanics committee and pre-
vented the raising of the Stars and Stripes
over the school building and the threaten
ing demonstration compelled the committee
to leave the spot.
The Senior Order of American Mechanics
has taken a great interest in the raising of
American flags over school buildings of the
county during the last several years. Pre-
sentations have been made without number,
and no opposition has been recorded until
that of last Saturday. A committee re-
ported to belong to Pittsburg council, OF the
East End, waited upon the school directors
of the Mucklerat building, and rendered an
American flag, asking permission to raise
the flag on Saturday afternoon.
AwARM RECEPTION.
Mucklerat is the name of a small mining
community beyond Williamsburg. The Du-
quesne Coal Company gives employment to
a large number of the population of Muckle-
TAT. Many of these are of foreign BIRTH The
intention of the patriotic Mechanics was
bruited about. and when the committee In
charge of the flag arrived at the school house
ot Mucklerat their entrance to the school yard
was impeded by shouting, noisy crowd. In
sulting expressions were made use OF, and the
committee was told in explicit language that
the flag should not lie raised.
The excitement was intense. The committee
argued. expostulated, and even threatened.
High words passed between the members of
committee and the ringeaders of the Muckle-
rattiaps. and the school directors finally
urged the committee TO withdraw, fearing
resort to violence. The Mechanics were mad,
but they returned home with the nag, 1hey
reported to their council. and a circular was
prenared setting forth the facts and calling
for / eco men to proceed to MUcklerat on Satur-
day (;o-morrow) and put the flag on the build
ing with force of arms, II further opposltlon
was offered.
The whole proceedings were secret, and the
most vigorous search failed to find the circular
or trace its authorship positively. Two men,
however, were seen by party interested IN the
matter, who had seen the circular.
There was great excitement in the ranks OF
the Junior Order of American Mechanics when
y
bers were being invited to join the body of
armed men who were 10 proceed TO Mucklerat
tomorrow The matter was brought to the at
tention of State Vice Councillor stephen Col
Inns He proceeded Immediately to caution
the members of Junior American Mechanics
councils not to allow themselves to be drawn
into any such toray as that foreshadowed by
the Delligerent circular.
THE MATTER DEPRECATED.
Mr.. Collins was seen by a DISPATCH repre-
sentative late last evening, He said: Il am
very sorry that there is any prospect of such a
wholesale breach of the peace as that indicated
by the circular to which you allude, have DO
jurisdiction in the SENIOR Order of American
Mechanics. and have, therefore, no means of
knowing Just who is responsible for the circu-
lar. While the reported treatment of the Flag
Committee is ar outrage, l feel that every eff
fort should be made to avert violence.
] heard that some of the Junior
order members were being invited to
Join in the demonstration, and that they were
asked to bring weapons. l took measures to
prevent any such contingency The nag should
be put up quietly, and if the people out at
hucklerat reno" 1t. the law can be invoked
in quiet manner. If conflict would ensue
there might be bloodshed, as there is much
natural evaporation at such un-American
treatment as the committee received. As it is
very desirable to have the matter cleared up,
and a conflict avoided, am very glad to afford
what little information possess"
1t was reported that the circular was issued
by Eureka Council, Jr. o. U. A. NJ, of which
A. 5. Jones is Secretary. Eureka Council
issued a circular, however, dIsclalming any
connection with the affair." 1t was also reported
that John Grey Council and Chaplin Council,
Jr. o. q. A. NJ, had received invitations to
sist IN the impending scrimmage. 1t was said,
also. that many individual members
of various councils were in with the
movement. but emphatic denials greeted the
exhaustive reportOrial inquiries instituted late
last evening. As matters of such a nature are
invariably secret, further or more specific in
formation was not obtainable. Should how
ever the patriotic East Enders make descent
upon Mucklerat, Donnyb-ook Fair would not
be circumstance.