Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-07

The Pinkertons Unable to Make Their
EScape.

| The Pinkertons Unable to Make Their
Escape.
HOMESTEAD Pa. July 6.-For hours
the crowd OF workmen benind the bar
ricades of structural iron within the
walls watched the barges, with guns
cooked. waiting for head 10 appear.
Down in the boats, sweltering and
with near to filled with fear. lay the 270
Pinksrton guards. The sun was beat
ing down on the low roofs Of the barges
and the air within them must
have been snfiing, for An opening
was not TO be thought of as it would
/ only attract . storm of bullets from the
angry men outside. The suffering Of
the wounded IN the boats must nave
been awful, not TO speak of the others,
and a. the sun grew hotter sounds OF
an Ak at work within the boat told the
crowd that the Pinkerton guards
were taxing desperate chances
to prevent sutfocatlon. Soon
3 hole was cut through and q
moment later il was made larger from
the bullets from the shore. The axman
was wounded and no further attempts
were made.to secure ventilation. Death
IN sitting atmosphere was better, the
Plnkertons thought, than from the
guns Of the mob.
Plans to Fire the Boats.
All sorts of plans were tried to fire
the boats. A hand fire engine owned
by the Steel company was gotten out OF
its shed and connected with big oil
tank, the oil was pumped into the
| river and burning waste was thrown
! after 1t. THIS dad not do and the stores
with overstocks of Fourth of July fire.
works were drawn upon. Rockets,
Roman candles and the like were used
but without effect. The oil was Of the
lubricating kind and not as infiani-
mable as other grades, but if the
mill men had succeeded an appalling
fate must have been IN store for the
| Pinkerton men. To cave themselves
from death by fire they would have
had TO face the rifles of the men and
the escape OF any Of them alive would
almost have been beyond hope. See.
ing their efforts were in vain the steel
workers rested and discussed the situa-
| ton.
A Truce Suggested.
Hugh O'Donnel, cool headed and
ANXIOUS to avert further blood
shed seized, small American
flag, mounted pile of iron and
soon had the attention of the 1000
men who were shouting for blood. He
began TO closely discuss the situation
and TO caution the men to move slowly.
HIS words were received with cheers
and. finding he had the crowd with
him, ne suggested that Q truce be
arranged until the arrival of the sheriff.
He said q white flag should be carried
to the bank and he was going to ex.
plain his plan further when q howl
arose from thousand throats, ''Show
the white flags? Never - was the cry.
"Ihey shot atone flag this morning and
If there il any white nag TO be shown it
must fly from the boats"
What will we do then?' asked
O'Donnell. I'VE will hold them in the
boats until the sheriff comes and We
will have warrants sworn out for every
man for murder.
"The sheriff will then have to take
them in CHARGE" said one man, and
shouts of approval rent the air. Seeing
that this was the desire of the men
ODonnell stepped down and went to
work to keep them to that
and prevent further conflict if poe
sible.
The Pinkertons Surrender.
While the meeting was in progress in
the mill another was being held by the
belesgured ones in the boat.
The result was shown by q
white handkerchief being cautiously
showed out Of an op-ning and
cheers greeted it. 1.-THE surrender" ;"
victory" 1--WE have them now," and
like cries rung out. Then Hugh O'Don-
nell, accompanied by two or three of
the old advisory committee, ran down
the steep bank TO secure the message of
peace. The spokesman of the Piuker-
tons announced that they would sur
render on condition that they be pro-
tected from the violence of the
mob. After short parley
this was agreed to by the
multitude Of outraged mill workers
who were angered against the men
who had killed their comrades. A
hundred or more persons climbed upon
the boat. The reporter for the United
Press went into the frail craft and
found one dead and eleven wounded
Pinkertons. Asked where they came
from one big fellow who looked like a
tough, said Boston and Chicago had
furnished most OF them, but there
were some from other places.
Not more than q couple of Pittsburg
men were In the gang, be said. Then
experience on the boat was the worst
he ever had, though he had been in
warm places. Some Of the men, hs
said, even cried for mercy, aud but
few of them expected TO get
away with whole skinss The
steel workers did not let them
talk long, but ordered them to hurry
out. The tirst one TO leave had hil
Winchester rifle with him.
The Boat IL Looted.
"Disarm them," cried the mob, and
the rifles were then taken away from
all and became the property of the
man who took the gun. Then began {
footing of the boat. The uniforms .hs
guards had intended TO wear we're
either thrown in the rivee or given 4
the Hungsrisns. Everything ia the
slightest valuable Was carried away by
the crowd. When che boats had beer
looted the march Of the captured crew
began. Down the gang plank. one by
one, they came and, that they Nigh
be distinguished from the mea on the
bank 30 none would get away, they
were forced IA walk With uncovered head
through the excited crowds.
sEArsN nv rHs WOMEN
The cspscrs Roughly Handled by IN