The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-07-30
They Claim That Their Men Went to
Homestead T'narmed. Not En-
pecting "a Battle.
They We're Given Arms Only After
Several of Their Number Had
Been Killed.

ciary. charged with the investigation o
the Homestead labor troubles resumed
its session in this city today. The hear
ing here will be devoted to the organlza
ton and management of the Pinkertor
detective agency. Robert Pinkerton Of
the Pinkerton agency. was the first wit
ness called.
\ prepared statement was submitted
on behalf of the Pinkertons. 1t recites
the history Of the Pinkerton agency;
says it frequently furnished watchmen
to protect property: those sent to
Homestead were chosen with great
care: seldom allow men to carry
arms: never allowed their men tC
carry arms unless deputized legally
by the authorities. At first they refused
to send men to Homestead but when as
surred they would be sworn in a deputy
sheriffs, consented. The men were all
well known and trustworthy. They did
not go there as an armed body and were
not to be armed until deputized by the
sheriff. Boxes containing arms were to
be delivered at Homestead and were o
opened and distributed until after the
workmen commenced firlng Oh the
Inc statement says:
"hleln had been murdered by the
strikers and about I'VE other watchmen
shot anu OUNCE before our men began
their hre In self defense. Even then 1t
was impossible TO attempt TO shoot tnose
hring AT the barges because the strikers
mad a breastwork for themselves by
placins women ana children IN front ana
ilring from pchinu them' Not "a single
woman OF chilu was Injured by our men.
Nhen men the Leaders
or the strikers solemnly promised full
protectlon 10 properly ana NE. Ihey
knew that our men because
me wounded required attention and
ior the purpose OF saving furtiler
loss OF me- AFTER the surrender all the
men, the wounded ana heip-
less were brutaily beaten and robbed by
the strikers and the Leaders made no
real or honest effort to protect them.
our men were robbed OF watches,
money clothing, everything. and then
inercilessiy dubbed and stoned. Con-
hors' unabie 10 move or defend himself
was u~eilperately shot by one or the
siriheIs ahu lnen uppeu A. tdwaids;
also wouhueu anu helpless was dubbed
ny announcer striker win the butt n or
d hlushet. both uieu, u subsequently
aho'he' "attnlnah became insane
anu coh."iilteu suiclue as the
result o the learIul beating
alter having All OF our
men were more or less injured. The
acts OF the strikers after our men sur
ienuercu "ouiu Ut uisgrace 10 saVages.
iet because zone IN the name OF organ
Yea american TABOR sympathy, II no
ENCOURAGEMENT is SHOWN Tor such deeds
ny d part OF the press ana by political
fiteI RECESS l'opert flnkerton was
caileo W .He staIo anu required TO an,
s"er questlohs "hich nau been prepared
r.! REPRESENTATIVES Oh the hnights OF
LABOR, wnp were present. Inc replies
VIE Tt a sups.ahce DIS iollo"s' |
,-n ne rlhn sep agency owned about
~ Wv nie = Pis.oie' anu an equai hum-
TOD Of CS;oano IInes m " p
nns Lnn u Al us Varl,
~ - onn never hau
m1Ty ~ III ~ inan oUo pelsoHs III lls
ant I ~ Ia "np,oytu Ie'e au'iseu OK
stohJ that they w " ~ uorsan any 1 ihu.r,
70 rnf,so anv ~ aL IL!
Objected IN man snnt ~ M Mn n1
we're obtained in New York, CHICAGO and
PHILADELPHIA. All of them knew fhe ey-
act nature of their emnlovment The
barges were mot constructad for tho on
nose Of nrotection and ware NOT linad
with IRON ar steel and comid not ras;ot
small arms h man would
never had been allowed IN start on
the ~exned,tion if II Ind heen
known they we're To he attacked
before landing. Barpes were emnloved
because il was believed men would he
TO land without a breach NJ tho
peace and the Il was made at niabt
the reason that the sheriff's force had
been resisting in the dav time and il wac
cypected the strinkers would he in bed
The desire was TO avoid NV ali means q
breach OF the peace' otherwise The men
would not have been nermittrd to On mn.
less authorized Inv The povernor mr.