Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-07-09
Desperate Fighting at the Homo
stead Iron Works.
Three Hundred PInkcrton Detectives At
tempt tn Land and Are Firod Upon
By WorlSmcn-NI Many Killed
and Wounded.

1nrcC DUillrcu llHhcTlOIlS, WIN SdiiS
in boats to Homestead in the early
morning have desolated many hearth
and their shots have aroused such des-
pcratlon that it is safe to say that be-
fore the men will now allow the mill
TO be operated by non-union men they
will burn it over their heads.
The first battle occurred ut dawn yes
tcrday morning when the Pinkcrton men
attempted to land. They were met by
thousands and after desperate fight
were driven back. The losses in this
encounter cannot yet be determined
but II is said that three strikers were
killed and dozen injured. The Pink
crton losses, of course, cannot be
learned.
Then followed truce of about four
hours This was broken by u second
attempt of the Pinkcrtons to land, and
for several hours fighting followed. vt
least ten men were killed on shore and
a dozen wounded. The losses of the
Pinkertons was estimated Mt from four
to ten killed and wounded
At II o'clock the strikers secured
cannon and began bombarding the
barges, and at the same time efforts
were made to burn the boats by means
of blazing stream of coal oil.
Flags of truce raised by the Pinker-
ton men were shot down, and ut 1:3O
o'clock in the afternoon the Pinkertons
were besiegcd in their barges.
At 3:45 p IN. the Pinkerton men were
in terrible position, being exposed to
the perils of fire, bullets, cannon shot
and dynamite. Sensational reports eX-
cite the people on shore and it is be
lieved that the detectives who are i'm
prisoned on the barges will perish If
rescuers do not speedily appear.
The men are now preparing TO attach
hose to an oil tank and squirt the oil on
the boats and afterwards set fire to it.
They also began throwing dynamite
cartridges over the bank, which alight
near the barges and explode. The men
hope by this means to blow up the
Pinkertons.
The Pinkertons raised another white
flag ut $50 o'clock. The arm of the fell
low was hit with bullet a striker
gained admission to the pump house
over the barges and shot twice before
volley from the barge drove him out.
lie believes he killed u guard.
The strikers captured Il 600 gal
lon oil tank at the east end of the
works ut Munhall station. The oil
was set on fire and let into the river,
but strong wind blowing in the oppo-
site direction saved the barges u few
yards below.
D. m.-During the afternoon Il
fourth flag of truce was raised, but the
man holding it was shot. Then an
other cannon was brought and blazing
oil was turned on the barges.
The Pinkerton men are huddled to-
gether on their barges and are shooting
only when they see striker coming
too close to them. One man on the
boat was seen to fall overheard, but his
comrades being afraid to expose them
selves to attempt his rescue, the
man sank. The men are threatening
to capture two other tanks and burn
the bargcs. There is intense excite
ment this afternoon over a report that
400 deputies in charge of the sheriff had
left Pittsburgh on two barges to join
the Pinkerton people.
The steamer Little Bill, which
brought the barges from the city, was
fired on as it returned, but the crew all
hid.
The two large cannons are being fired
every minute, but owing to the position
of the boats the men are unable to get
a good sight on them. The barges now
lie about 500 yards up the river from
the railroad bridge and the attacking
party of the strikers is about the
same distance further up the river, be-
hind large piles of iron and coal and
water tanks The men are still using
dynamite sticks, throwing them over the
piles of coal and iron. Some explode in
the water doing no damage, while Others
strike the boats and send pieces flying
in the air. At every successful shot the
men rend the air with wild cheers.
Sharpshooters are stationed ut various
places and shoot everytime "a Pinkerton
man looks out 10 see the position of the
men.
4:15 p. m.-Two Thousand worhmen
from the South Side mills of Pittsburgh
have just marched into Homestead with
flags and banners flying. They say they
have come to the assistance of the strik-
ers. The excitement is increasing.
Supplies of ammunition and arms are
being furnished to the strikers by the
citizens of Homestead, and nre arriv-
ing from Pittsburgh and McKeesport.
1t is feared the carnage has but begun.
Later in the day the l'inlsertons Of
fered to surrender. The mob accepted
it, disarming the men as they left the
barges and hurrying them TO custody.
The Pinkertons lost nine killed and
.nnnr dnsnarntnlr Hynnnded Eleven