Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-07-19
GREAT EXCITEMENT AT HOMESTEAD.
Strikers Hear the News with Grief and
Indignation.

Indignation.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, July 19.-Never since
the night that Governor Pattison ordered
the state troops to Homestead was this
little borough thrown into such a state of
feverlsh excitement as it was last evening
when the news went abroad that
warrants, charging the leaders of the
strike with wilful murder, had been issued
in Pittsburg, and that six or seven men
charged had given themselves up to the
authorities. About o'clock in the after
noon two men walked into the Office OF
Squire Kuhn, the local magistrate, and
made some inquiries concerning the
places of residence of Burgess McLuckie
and other strike leaders. They kfused to
tell why they desired the inflammation.
The inquiries were continued at other
places and suspicion 60 the real charac-
ter of the business of the two men became
aroused when they were recognized as
constables Price and Irwin.
Turn ed j ubilation Into Dependency.
That news soon became noised about
While suspicion that he arrests were
anticipated had been prevalent for two
days, IL was not supposed that the charge
against the strike leaders would be so
serious a one as murder, and the working
men were thrown into a state bordering
on CONSERVATION by the tidings. Coming,
as the news did, directly after the victory
OF the Amalgamated association in the
refusal of the men in the mechanical de-
partment of the Carnegie works to accept
the invitation of the firm to return to
their old duties, it turned jubilation into
despondency and brought tears to the eyes
OF many man hose heart was in the
cause.
Didn't Look for "A Murder Charce.
A few took the news quietly, the greater
number lndulged in bitter words, but
took care that outsiders were not near
when they spoke them. Women gave way
to tears and declared that all was lost,
while little children, seeing their elders
weep, clung tremblingly to the dresses of
their mothers, and did likewise 1t is GER
tain that the leaders of the strikers had an
lnkling of what the company intended,
but nevertheless, the news that warrants
had been issued came like shock of
thunderbolt to them. They had expected
that conspiracy would be the most serious
change preferred if any, and murder" had
an ominous sound that foreboded grievous
trouble.
Leaders Meet in Conference.
Hasty summons brought the leaders to
gether at the headquarters of the advisory
committee. On the face of every man was
serious, troubled look and haste was
made to lock the door of the consultation
room, that the new aspect that the situa- !
ton had taken might be discussed without
fear of betrayal. The members of the
town council also met. Their purpose was
to consider the arrest of John McLuckie
the burgess of the town. The talk of town
councilmen was that the arrests were an
outrage and the whole blame was on
Frick, who would lose more than he would
gain.
influence of the Two Men.
ODonnen and McLuckie had done more l
than any one else to keep the men in check !
since the fight with the Pinkertons, and |
their removal would leave things in a !
critical situation. All the uen had great !
respect for these two men. they fairly !
worshiped O'Donnell. He was considered |
young Napoleon among them. He was I!
born leader, quick to think and act; a |
man of remarkable Intelligence, who had |
practically guided the workmen in their !
struggle. Burgess McLuckie was also a |
counsellor of peaceful methods, and nad |
done much to restrain the men from vio- |
lence. He was burgess at the time of the |
strike of 1Ss9, and was elected by the work
men again this year, rs they saw another !
difficulty with the Carnegie company was ,
brewing.
A STATE OF WAR IN IDAHO: