Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-07-07
ARMED MOB
Attacked Detectives at
Homestead. Pa.
Battle was Fierce
Many Lives Lost.
Pinkerton Men Forced to Sur
render to Strikers.
Horrible Treatment Of Cap
tives on Way to Prison
BY the Mob Who Acted More Like
Demons than Human Beings.
Strikers Tried to Burn Them Alive
Before the Surrender.
Most Intense Excitement Prevails and
Worst Is Not Yet.
23@ Detectives imprisoned BY the Strikers
Seven Dead Many Injured.
By the Mob Who Acted More Like
Demons than Human Beings.
Strikers Tried to Burn Them Alive
Before the Surrender.
Most Intense Excitement Prevails and
Worst Is Not Yet.


PfrTsntRC, July G.--Pittsburg has had
another experience with labor riots, and
this time, As during the fearful scenes wit
messed during the railroad riots of
Iss., 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 well organized, well disci-
plined and had efficient officers at the head
to conduct operations.
The force embraced all the men employed
in the extensive plants of the Carnegie Iron
and Steel Company at Homestead, eight
miles east of Pttsburg, and battle, which
for blood thirstiness and boldness of execu-
tion is not excelled in actual warfare, ,waged
from 4 o'clock in the morning until . this
afternoon. and only ceased when the force
of Pinkertons brought to the place to sup
press the strike Internationally surren-
derei leaving their arms in the barges in
which they were transported to the works.
The riot today was the cul-
nnation of the troubles brewing
at Homestead for the past month.
The Carnegie Company submitted scale
to govern the workmcn in the steel plants,
and announced that it was their ultmatum.
wages of skilled men. and it was officially
announced that unless the terms were com
piled with before July /. the places of the
workmcn would be filed by
others. This was followed by premptory
refusal on the part of the company To
recognize the Amalgamated Association of
Steel and Iron Workers, as such, or confer
with any committee of the workmen, short
of an acceptance of the terms offered.
The men stated that they would never sub
init To the proposed reduction and announced
their determination to resist any effort on
the part of the carnegies to start up their
plants with non-union men. As both sides
were determined. both proceeded to prepare
for the contest which eliminated in the vio-
lence and bloodshed of today.
The contest was precipitated by the work
men at Homestead by hanging II. c. Frick.
president of the company, in efIigy. In re-
taliation he ordered the immediate shut
down of the big works two days before the
time provided by the contract under which
the men were working. The employees at
once proceeded to organize for the
defensive. and the company
erected high board fence
around the entire works. giving them the
appearance of an immense stockadc, since
pierced with portfolios. Yesterday the
Carnegie Company announced its intention
to proceed to get ready to make repairs
and the officials asked the sheriff to appoin,
deputies to protect the property.
The sheriff sent q small squad of men to
the works but the strikers assembled in
force and notified them to get out of town
as no disorder was intended. and NJ 'iama2e
would be done any property. They even
offered to be sworn in as deputies and give
bonds for the faithful performance of theiI
duties as conservators of peace. When
this offer was declined, the advisory com.
mittee. which had been directing the action
of the workmen. and held the turbulent
spirits among the workmen in check, i'm
mediately dissolved and all records of the
committee were promptly DESTROYED.
Developments today show that the ap
plicaten made for the assistance of sberif,
was merely for the purpose of covering
what was intended to be a coup de main OF
the part of the Carnegie Company. in
clan,lestinely introducing a body of Pinker
ton detectives into the mill enclosure. The
detectives had been rendezvoused five oi
six miles below the city on the Ohio river
at which point two barges had been pre-
pared for them. The barges were of the
best build, used in shipping iron rails
down the river from the Carnegie mills al
Braddock. s
The holds were fitted mp with hunks
cooking arrangements, and other accOmo
tions. and Is an extra precantion were lined
with heavy steel plates on the inside, while
the whole back deck was protected in a
similar manner. II was the intention thai
the mer should reach the works about
O'Clock this morning. but the guards OF
duty along the river got word of the threat
ened invasion of the hated Pinkerton mer
and prepared to receive them.
The barges were fowed up the river by 8
tow boat, but long before the PinkertoT
men reached Homestead thousands Of strik
ers had gathered on the banks Of the riveI
ready to give them a warm welcome. Wher
the boats attempted to land. the workmer
broke through the fence surrounding ths
mill, entrenching themselves behind thu
piles of steel billets. and prepared to resis
the landing of the detectives.
BY o'clock in the morning an effort wa
made TO land the detectives. but the strik
ers met them and fierce battle was preci
pitate,l, both sides exchanging a heavy vol
lev of shots. The detectives were al
armed with Winchester rifles. but at ths
point where an attempt to land was made
was steep embankment and they were
compelled to go in single file and were soor
driven back to the boats by the steady fire
from the shore.
The noise of the battle spread about the
borough like Wild fire and thousands OF
men. women and children thronged to the
river banks to witness the fight in progress
The Pinkerton men determined to land
and poured volley after valley into the
ranks of strikers. many of whom were
stricken down by bullets some being fatally
injured and others killed outright.
As the battle progressed. the strikers
took mp position behind the breastwork,
hastily constructed of steel rails and biilets
from this place of refuge were able tt
peared on the decks of the boats.
After receiving Gov. Pattison's dispatch
/ insisting thai the sheriff call upon citizen
/ for an adequate number of deputies TO gueI
/ the riot. the sheriff issaei the following
/ proclamation IAN good citizens are here
| by summoned To appear at the sherif's Of
/ flee tomorrow Thursday at . A. NJ. viii
arms and subsistence to aid the sheriff II
suppressing the riot nov in proogress .
| Homestead
In explanation of his failure to secur
additional deputies. Sheriff Ac('lezry said
II believe it would be suicide for me 4
| take nv men there. Five hundred depu
/ ties could do nothing more than . dozen
n...<les I have tuar rxua hi. m neoupe ms I,