Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-08-26
HOMESTEAD.

Eight heats were worked in the convert
Eng mill Monday; the beam mill went on
double turn that evening; and the only idle
mill in the yards was the twenty i've inch
which was expected to be in operation by
the end of the week.
A butcher, ice and meal dealer, Of Home
stead, who was boycotted by the strikers
for selling to non union men, secured the
right to erect shop in the mill yards,
and merchant who is threatened with
boycott threatens to retaliate by giving the
names of the strikers who took part IN the
mill-yard battle.
Homestead was full Of excitement,
Tuesday. Early that afternoon Nick
Rattigal, the superintendent OF the con
verting department at the steel-works,
moved his household effects from his resi-
dence on Ammon street, near Sixth
avenue, to the mill. Existence in the
heart Of Homestead has not been on bed
Of roses since Mr.. Rattigan resumed work
in the Bessemer department some weeks
ago, and he decided on making change
The many annoyances to which he and his
family were subjected on account OF his
relation to tho workers were borne with
patience for while, but finally became so
thick that q change OF residence was seen
to be the best thing under the circum-
stances.
The appearance of his furniture on the
street was the signal for the crowd to
gather about the home to hoot and yell
Rattigan is so well known and has been
so conspicuous since he went back to work
that il did not take those on the streets
and there were plenty-long to understand
what was taking place. The cries and
wells and jeers of the first few instantly at
tracted others, and in very few minutes
crowd of not less than 500 men, wo-
men and children had gathered. Tie
wagons containing the furniture were con-
pletely surrounded and tightly hemmed IN.
No one offered any violence, but the size
of the crowd and the hidesus noise they
made were not calculated to reassure the
drivers Many of the crowd were women
and they were by large odds the nolslest
and most abusive of the party. They
shouted and called pleasant names, some
of fresh coinage and others OF the old
reliable "scab" vintage.
As on former occasion, theiri energet-
ic leadership was followed by the men and
boys and drew on the military authority
No progress was made by the moving wag-
ons, and while the noise was the loudest
Gen. Wiley was informed of what was tax
ing place. He hurried down to the scene
and was surprised at the size of the crowd
and the noise thht they created. The
street was entirely blockaed and every
thing in that vicinity was at standstlll-
The powerless deputy sheriffs called up
on Col, Mechling, provost marshal, Tor as
sistance and it was given without stint.
Portions of Company III of the Sixteenth
and Company K of the Fifteenth regiments
were ordered to the scene and they went
on double quick. Immediately after
wards Companies d and F of the Fifteenth
which was on duty at Mulhall station, was
brought down and held in readiness IN case
the circumstances warrented the presence
of q stronger force. While one part OF the
force ordered out went straight down to
the scene of disorder. Lieut. Parsons with
Company A of the Sixteenth regiment,
which had been held in reserve, started
down few minutes later by different
route. When the first companies arrived
the crowd of 1900 people was at its nois-
lest stage, with the women well in front as
the leaders. ~.
The deputies had tried unsuccessfully to
induce them to disperse, and then Gen.
Wiley tried his hand when the soldiers ar
rived. He called upon the crowd to dis;
rvrrv, vuc rnsy u1u NOT pay any attention
to his words. He raised his hands and in
loud voice again ordered them to disperse.
children with them, as the crowd must be
cleared and that the troops would fire into
them if necessary II the women did not
20 away no discrimination would be
shown in their favor, and they must take
the consequences with the men.
Still the crowd stood their ground and
jeered the drivers of tho wagons and Mr..
Rattigan. They showed no signs of giving
in and the soldiers were only few feet
away, their bright bayonets flashing in the
sun and waiting for command.
Just at that time, as Gen. Wiley's
patience gave out, Lieut.. Parsons with
Company A hove in sight down the rail
road tracks and prompt action was taken.
The mob was fianked and Gen. Wiley or
dered the street cleared. The command to
"Charge bayonets" was given. and as the
troops advanced in that position from front
and flank the crowd saw that the time for
disappearing had arrived. They did not go
very rapidly, however, and the soldiers
kept on and pressed them back until a
break was made and the scatter began. In
short time the street was clear, but the
men who were doing the moving wore so
badly ratified that they kept in Mr. Ratti-
gan's house for safety, and the deputy
sheriffs completed the work. To guard
against repetition of the occurrence de-
tail of soldiers was placed at either end OF
the street, and they remained on duty un-
til the wagons had been loaded and disap-
peared inside the mill yards. The boldest
of the assembly yelled at the soldiers few
times, but it had no effect and they ceased
their efforts.
On Wednesday, Carnegie's 29th street
mill was started nm: some miscreants blew
up car load of steel billets on a side
track naar tho 22d ctraat mill
While Ford Smith of Co. K, 18th Reg.
was cleaning his revolver, Wednesday,
it was accidently discharged; the ball pass
ed through his tent and the adjoining one
and struck Jerry Bennninghof ofthe same
Company, passing through his body and
causing his death in about an hour. 1t
was very sad affair, and was the first Sc
rious accident that happened in camp.