The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-14
THE AIR FULL OF LEAD.
Homestead the Scene of Another
Conflict. But Not a Bloody
One This Time.
Non Union Negroes Assaulted by
Strikers and They Retaliate
With Guns.
The Coal and lion Police Arrive in Time
to Prevent Serious War Be-
tween Races.

HOMESTEAD. Nov 13.-Not since the IA
mous sixth Of July have bullets been so
plentiful ms this afternoon. Inside of
twenty minutes upwards Of fifty shots were
ff1ed and Fourth avenue WAS in wild state
of panic and disotde Rumors are plenti
full of persons being wounded and killed,
but the only ones seriously hurt apparently
are three strikers. McFadden, Jones and
Pritchgrd all of whom have flesh wounds
Three negroes were also badly beaten.
About four O'clock this afternoon two
cooted men who work in the mill were met
by striker. and after some words tic lat
ter knocked one OF the negroes down. With
characteristic suddenness about twenty
persons assembled in few minutes. Both
the negroes fought hard, but stones began
to fly and they were being bested. when one
drew revolver and opened fire. BY this
time fully five hundred persons were on the
street and panic was started. Three men
knocked down the second negro, and when
he arose he had two reyolvers In his hands.
He started to rum shooting backwards over
his shoulders in a wild manner. AS a re-
suit a boy received a flesh wound in the leg.
When the fleeing negroes reached City Farm
lane six other colored men came along and
were also assaulted. They all drew guns
and ian down the street. Someone hurled
brick, which hit Washington Paul on the
head. He opened fire, as did the others,
, an1 in a moment the air was full of bullets.
and the terrified crowd was rushing in all
directions to seek shelter in houses and al
| leya. The unionlsts. hearing of the assault
| on their brethren, came to the rescue. Over
| fifty colored men were preparing to make
an assault, and the coal and iron police
| had much difficulty in restraining them.
| The coored man finally reached the
| boarding house. rushed In and barred the
door. In n minute the house WAS sur
rounded by an infuriated mob. which soon
| tore down the fence and shattered every
window with stones. When the deputies
and bo oueh officers arrived some began to
yell, Lets lynch the Niger black Sheep
| The cry was taken up and heard on all
sides. The officers broke into the house to
arrest the colored men and found them
huddled in room. terrified and expecting
to be killed. Finally the men were brought
out and this first man. as he passed through
4 the yard, was hit oser the head with fry
| ing pan by an infuriated woman. The
deputies tried in vain to keep the crowd
away while they took the men to the lock.
| up. but the prisoners were hit several
times, and deputy WAS struck with q
brick. The officers drew their revolvers
ana announced II any more btOHes
thrown they would open fire.
An incipient riot also occurred before the
residence of a non -unionist named Marion
Conrad. who is also deputy sheriff. Wher
the crowd began gathering in front of hlf
house and threatened him. he appeared
with revolver in either hand, and said he
would shoot the fl st man who entered the
gates. Seve al deputies arrived oppor-
tunely and restrained the crowd, which dis
Eersed after some vocal demonstrations.
After all the colored men had been placed
in the lookup the excitement subsidized al
rapidly as it began, and by niGhtfall M
unusual crowds were noticeable an thu
st: eets. Peter Macfadden, who first en-
gagged the colored men in fight, was sho
thu ouGh the left arm and cut on the head
james Jones, who came to MGcfadden's as
slstance, had miraculous escape. a negr,
showed a revolver into Jones' face and fired
The bullet struck Jones on the forehead
but glanced off, cutting bloody furro,
over the eve. Jones and Macfadden wer
arrested Tonight. Mrs. Jones attempted
to shield her husband and attacked th
officers. but without effect. Of eleven col
oted men locked up. seven have cuts on tn
head, where they were struck with missile
or clubs. Tonight guards are on duty q
the lookup and non. union boarding hou Sc
to prevent attacks.