The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-12
TO POISON W0RKMEN.
Startling Story Of Conspiracy to
Kill Homestead Workmen.
POISONOUS FOOD WAS SERVED.
Poison Was Also Mixed with Non-Union
Workers Water-The Cook Was to Re-
ceive $5. 900 for His services-A Con-
spirator Has Confessed.

PTTsBURo, Pa, Dec. IA Sunday
paper published startling story here Of q
conspiracy to poison by wholesale the
non-union men at the Carnegie steel
plant In Homestead. fhe developments
made, 1t is said, implicate members Of the
advisory committee, members of the
Amalgamated Association and officers Of
some OF the labor organizations sympa-
thizing with the locked out men at
Homestead.
As result OF this conspiracy, IL is al
legged that several persons have lost their
lives, while scores of others are still suf-
fering at their homes and in Hospitals
from the effects OF poisonous drugs ad-
ministered 10 them with criminal intent.
Yesterday nine or more persons, more or
less identified with the strike, were under
arrest, ostensibly on
Less Serious Charges
but really for the purpose OF averting sus-
picion until all who are claimed 20 be in
the conspiracy have been secured.
The only name given OF those charged
with administering poison is Robert
Beatty, who was arrested at Louisville.
Shortly after the arrival of the militia at
Homestead, and the nom union men had
commenced work in the mills, complaints
became prevalent about the unwholesome
water supplied TO the men.
Many cases of sickness were reported,
but were all attributed to the impurity OF
the water. The men were warned not 10
drink the water and a supply from OF her
sources was secured. The sickness, how
ever, continued. A number OF the sic,
were taken to the hospitals and nearly all
recovered, although many OF them are
still ill.
The first intimation the officers had that
the men were the victims of a conspiracy,
was obtained more than two months
since, but IL was not until Yesterday that
the evidence was deemed sufficiently
strong TO warrant arrest.
man who was in the plot
Has Told the Details
TO reporter. The informant said that
one of the chief cooks at the Homestead
works met him and friend here one day
and said he wanted two assistants who
could make big money. The cook stated
that he was not only employed by the
Carnegie Company but was also in the
pay OF the labor ass ociations, and member
81 the strikers committees.
He told of plan To poison the food OF
the men employed in the mill 80 as 10
make hem sick and render them unable
to work. lie asserted that nearly, IL not
au, the sickness among the men wes
caused by poisons he had placed in the
food. he said he was TO get $4,000 il he
succeeded in closing the mill. He urged
them TO accept the places he offered.
The two men Afterwards called on Man
sger Frick and revealed the plot. They
were instructed to go to Homestead with
the cook and did SO and were installed in
their positions.
The day after their arrival q number OF
the workmen were reported sick and the
cook told them how
He Had Placed Poison
-colored powder-in the food and told |
them also to use il In the food.
Pinkertons were engaged to keep watch |
upon the informants and the cook. The |
latter became suspicious and discontinued |
the use OF the powders. Orders We're then |
given that the workmen should take |
their meals at the restaurant outside the |
enclosure. Later on the cook was placed |
under arrest and made a full confession, |
In which he gave the names of those who |
had employed him, the amount OF money
he had received, and the manner In |
which he had carried out his part OF the
crime.
He stated also that he frequently visited
The camps of the militia and dosed the
food in the cook house. His visits were
always followed by increased sickness
jailed, but he and his two assistants have
been
Kept Under surveiIiancei
Charles CLOSER died two weeks after
going TO Homestead. 1t Is said that the
body has been exhumed and the stom-
,ch submitted to a chemist for ANALYSIS.
+. i. Beck, counsel for the Carnegie
Steel Company, last night confirmed the
Itory of the poisoning. His information
s that at least six deaths resulted from
He says Homestead drug
yist and physician are implicated. The
powder was given to a dog and il died I'm
! few minutes. A number OF arrests will
probably be made in few days.
Coroner Mcdowell will go to Home
tead today to investigate the cause OF the
leath OF Isaac Juries, who died suddenly
wo weeks ago. Juries was witness in
he Critchlow case.
Tho Old stonington SOLD.
NEW YORK, Dec. 12.-The old Fall River