The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-07-13
elimination Of the Labor
Trouble at Homestead.
4 Fierce Battle at the Carnegie
Works Between Iron Workers
and Pinkerton Men.
After Long Struggle the Deteo-
tives are Defeated and Com
PEELED to Surrender Un-
conditionally.
Many Killed and Wounded on Both Sides
-Worlsmen Now Masters of the Sit
uation - After n Long Delay
Gov. Pattison Orders Out
the Militia

PITTSBURGH, July 7.-Pittsburgh has
another experience with labor riots and
this time, as during the fearful scenes
which were witnessed during the rail
road riots of 1877, blood has been shed,
life jeopardized and valuable property
placed in danger. This time there was
no destruction of property, but the mob
was thoroughly organized, well disci-
plined and had efficient officers at the
head to conduct the operations.
The force embraced all the men
employed in the extensive plants of
the Carnegie Iron and Steel Company at
Homestead, some eight miles east of
Pittsburgh, and battle which for
bloodthirstiness and boldness of execu-
tion has not been excelled in actual
warfare, waged from o'clock in the
morning until o'clock this afternoon,
and only ceased when the force of Pin
kertons brought to the place to suppress
the strike unconditionally surrendered,
leaving their arms in the barges in which
they had been transported to the works.
The riot to-day was the elimination
of the troubles that have been brewing
at Homestead for the past month. The
Carnegie company submitted scale to
govern their worlImen in the steel
plants and announced that IL was the
ultimatum, The scale made a sweep
ing reduction in the wages Of skilled
men and it was officially announced
that unless the terms were complied
with before July l the places of the
workmen would be filled by others. This
was followed by peremptory refusal on
the part of the company to recognize the
Amalgamated Association of Steel and
iron workers as such or TO confer with
any committee of the worlSmen short OF
an acceptance of the terms offered. The
men stated that they would never sub
NIT TO the proposed reduction and an
nounced their determination to resist
any effort on the part of the Carnegie
company to start up their plants with
non-union men. AS both sides were
determined both proceeded to prepare
for the contest which eliminated in
such deeds of violence and bloodshed
that were witnessed yesterday in the
big hive of industry on the Monongn-
hela-
Early Wednesday morning 800 Pink
erton men who had arrived in Pitts
burgh from the east were marched TO
the Monongahela river, loaded ON
barges and shipped to Homestead. The
news spread rapidly and when the tug
Little Bill, towing the barges, arrived
at Homestead there were 5000 people
waiting 10 meet them. 1t was exactly
4 o'clock when the steamer and bargcs
were sighted by the watchers gathered
on the river bank mile below the
town Directly the feet was sighted
three messengers, each mounted on
horse. started for Homestead, shouting
as they went in advance OF the barges
Some one notified the engineer at the
electric light works and for a second
time the whistle sounded the general
alarm. The people responded with
alacrity. There were old men and young
men, elderly women, mothers with
babes in their arms and uny number Of
children. The moment the people on
the bank caught sight Of the Dotilla II
crowd Of them made break down the
road towards the worries Whom the
head OF the line reached the city farm
fence, which has been built out several
feet into the water, fifty men used their
shoulders as battering rams and bat
tered down the barrier.
Once through the fence the crowd
poured along the steep cmbnnkments
slirting the river fence OF the Carnegie
company, and despite the mud and un-
rapid headwsy. IL was silent crowd.
Few words were spoken ard these
Sprang from the lips of the women, who
were apparently as anxious 70 partici-
pate In the conflict aS their husbands
brothers and sons From Homestead
10 the pump bonse Is two miles, but
vthese half dressed men and women
made the journey In rccord-breaking
time Once there they gathered In one
solid mass, the women un the outskirts.
The front rank of this scld wall OF
humanity stood al the waters edge and
every moment the crowd grew In num-
bers and determination. Slowly the
Little Bill brought her silent oonsorts
down the channel. Just below PimiclS
bridge she turned her prov towards the
shore and then amid the shrielos Of
steam whistles and groans and Kisses
from those gathered on the banks the
occupants of the boat stripped for ac-
ton. Each one OF them was armed
with Winchester rife and each rife
loaded 10 kill Slowly the boat edged
toward the landing and when the keels
OF the barges grated on the sand the
faces Of the invaders were within a few
feet Of their opponents gathered on the
shore.
Suddenly form was seen TO break
from the ranks of the worlkingmen and
move towards the waters edge. Instant
1y fash was seen ON the boat followed
by a report, and form was seen TO fall
and roll down the bank One man had
met his death. The shot was the signal
for attack, and opened one Of the great
est wars between capital and labor
that the keystone state ever witnessed
The dead and wounded were carried
70 the rear and cared for by the women,
while the men stood their ground and
kept up n constant attack upon the
boat The Pinkertons firing dropped
oil as they were driven back and all