The morning call., 1892-12-12
Reported Plot to Poison
Non=Union rIen.
A COOK DRUGS THEIR FOOD.
The Strike at Homestead Furnishes
Another Sensation-ParticuIar
of an Alleged Conspiracy.
Special TO THE MORNING CALL

poison bY who lesale tho non-union work
men at the Carnegie steel plant. The de-
velopments thus far made ii says, impli-
cate the members of the advisory commit
tee, members of the Amalgamated Asso-
citation and the officials of some labor
organizations sympathiZing with the locked
out men. AS result of the conspiracy it
is alleged that several persons have lost
their lives, while scores Of others are still
suffering at their homes and ia tie HOSPITALS
from the effects Of the poisonous drugs ad-
miaistered them with criminal intent.
To-day nine or more persons more or less
identified with the strike are under arrest.
ostensibly on less serious charges, but
really for ihe purposes Of averting suspicion
until all those who are claimed to be in the
conspiracy are secured. The only name
given of those charged with administering
poison is that Of Robert Beatty. who was
arrested at Louisville last night Several
others, however. are under heavy bail en-
other charges, and new charges will prob
ably be made tomorrow.
The details of the foul plot are sufficient
TO cause skUdder, especially when 1t is
known that at least two deaths and perhaps
a number Of others have already been
traced TO the work of the willing tool Sc
leeted TO carry the murder0us plan into ex-
cution.
1t win be remem bered that shortly after
the arrival Of the State militia at Home
stead and when TIE nOn-union men COM
meneed to work in the mills many cases of
sickness were reported. but attributed to
the lmpuTity OF the water. A supply from
other sources was secured and notices
We're posted conspicuouSly bout the mill
warning the employees. Despite these pre-
cautiOnary measures the sickness continued
and the report soon became current at
Homestead that an epidemic was prevailing
among the men in the inelosure.
The first intlmation that the men were
victims of a conspiracy was obtained more
than two months since, but in such man.
ner that il WAS impossible to make any ar
rests Immediately, and not until yesterday
was the evidence deemed sufficiently strong
to warrant the apprehension Of al least one
of those implicated.
The price to be paid the perpetrators Of
this outrage when the mills closed down
was 5000. The manner in whi, b the con-
spiraey was TO be carried out, according to
Information obtained by reporter from
men who were let into the plot. was sub
stantially as follows:
One of the chief cooks at Homestead met
these men one day and asked them If they
wanted Job at Homestead. He said big
money could be made if they would help
him. lie said he was not only employed by
the Carnegie company, but WAS also in the
pay of the labor associations and of men,
bers Of the strikers committees. and was
just coming money.
As lie grew more confidential, and
prompted by questions about the pay from
hR ha ofd NJ sCa Ill Al
son the food Of the men employed in the
mill. so as to make them sick and render
them unable TO work. He detailed the plan
be had been pursuing, and asserted that
nearly. If rot all. the sickness among the
men had been caused by poisons he had
placed in their food. He said he was to get
5000 if he succeeded in closing the mill.
de urged them to accept the places he
spoke Of, told them it would be an utter i'm
possibility for them to be detected. and
finally left with an understanding that he
would meet them in the city next day, give
them some advance money and take them
70 Homestead with him.
Realizing the Nervousness OF the proposi-
ton the men called upon Chairman Frick
and laid the matter before him. Upon the
advice of the company's attorneys, they met
the cook aud proceeded to Homestead with
him, where they were duly installed by the
cook. They day after their arrival a num-
Der of men were reported sick and the cook
told how he had placed poison in the food
and told them 10 watch for an opportunity
to do likewise.
Fearing the men could not be trusted.
two PinkertOns were engaged to keep close
surveillance On the informants as well as
on the cooks. The latter became suspicious
and st once discontinued the use Of the
poisonous powder they were employing.
Orders were then given that the workmen
should take their meals at q restaurant out
aide the enclosure.
Later the men reported that the cook was
becoming very uneasy, and they feared lie
might conclude 10 leave the city in a hurry.
They said the deaths among the men. espe-
cially that of Charles CLOSER, had unneryed
him, and they believed be would make a
clean breast of the whole plot If placed
under arrest.
This was done, and when confronted with
the facts, as stated above, the cook broke
down and made full confession, in which
he gave the names Of those who employed
him. the amount Of money he had received
and the manner in which he carried out his
part In the terrible crime. He stated also
militia and dosed the food prepared 10 the
eookhouse. His visits were always fol-
lowed by increased sickness among the
members Of The National Guard.
The confession was taken down by a
sienographer ip the presence Of several wit
nesses. The cook also exhibited vouchers
for the money due him. After the testimony
had been reproduced upon the typewriter it
was read TO him, AMI be signed the state
Dent in the presence of witnesses.
After making the confession the cook
begged that be should not he placed in Jail,
aud his wishes were complied with. He.
however, as well as the origin al iDformants,
were kept under surveillance night and day.
all OF them continuing In the employ OF the
firm until further arrests could be made.
The Charles CLOSER referred to died two
weeks after going TO Homestead. Il is said
that since the confession made by the cook
his body has been exhumed and the stomach
submitted TO chemist for analysis. The
result is not known. but the chemists re-
port will be submitted in evidence when tie
case comes up for trial
a reporter called upon Mr.. Frick TO learn,
II possible, the Carnegie's account of the
crime alleged against Beatty, but the gentle
man positively refused to be interviewed.
E. V. BGeek, counsel for the Carnegie
Steel Company, was seen tonight and con-
frmed the story of the poisoning. He says
that bis information Is that at least six
deaths resulted from the poisoning. A
Homestead druggist and a physician are
implicated. Some of the powder used was
given to dog and the animal expired in a
short time. number of arrests will prob
ably be made In few days.
Coroner Mcdowell has not yet been noti-
fed. He will 60 to Homestead tomorrow,
however, to investigate the cause OF the
death Of Isaac Juries, who died suddenly
nhnnf twn weeks ago. Jnries was a wit