Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-21
HOMESTEAD EXCITED.
A Confusion of Steam Whistles Dis
turbs the Town.
THE LITTLE BILL WAS ON A SNAG.
People From the Town and the Mill Rush
to the River.
CONFLICTING STORIES GIVEN OUT
THE LITTLE BILL WAS ON A SNAG.
CONFLICTING STORIES GIVEN OUT

The citizens of Homestead were greatly
alarmed yesterday afternoon at about
o'clock BY the repested blowing of the
whistle on the steamer Little Bill and the
whistles in the mills They ran down to
the river bank to learn what caused the
alarm. The men in the mill rushed out of
the yard to see what was going on, and soon
the river bank was black with excited peo-
pie.
Inquiry revealed the fact that while tow
ing two barges up the river the Little Bill
ran into an obstruction just opposite the
the works Fearing some trap designed to
sink the boat, the barges were quickly re-
leased, and the steamer backed out, leaving
the barges in the river. While getting
away from the barges the pilot pulled the
whistle. A whistle in the mill
answered, and then began series
of prolonged alternate whistlings between
the boat and the mill. This unusual sound
caused deal of alarm in town, and mind
ful of the tragic part the electric light
whistle played on the morning of July in
arousing the people to meet the Pinkertons,
the streets were soon filled and mad rush
WIS UdOt TIC TlNeE.
People We're Indignant.
Whe the cause of the alarm was learned
the peo pie were indignant. Many expressed
q wish that more care be exercised as pub
lie feeling is still at high pitch and little
is required to thoroughly arouse the town.
Rumors were riie in Homestead yester-
day of numerous desertions from the nom
union men in the mills. The Withdrawal
of the Fifteenth Regiment on Monday
and the prospective early sending away
of the Sixteenth were assigned as
the principal cause OF the disaffection in
the non-union ranks. To substantiate the
report, the strikers pointed with pride to
the mills claiming that less work was now
being done than at any time during the
past three weeks. This inspired them with
new hope. The locked-out men say the
firm cannot run the mills with the present
force of men and are as r as ever in their
demands.
The locked-out men also say that they
have positive proof that many more will
leave before the end of the week. The non-
union men are beginning to circulate freely
in the town without molestation from the
strikers From expressions heard, it is
inferred that the Amalgamated Association
is now depending upon moral suasion, as
bv this means the new men can be won
over to its side easier than by force, since
they are accessible.
No Desertions at the Mill.
At the mill it was denied that there are
any desertions. 1t is claimed that the re-
port that the men were leaving the mills
was started by about 20 men
being discharged on Monday after.
noon for ilcompetency. About rs
new men we're claimed to have
come into the works for work Yesterday.
The withdrawal of the troops is said to
have had no effect on the uon-union men,
as no more leave than could be expected
from the large number of new men en-
ployed. Disafection of any kind is de-
MED, and the mills are said to be running
full. A number of Amalgamated men are
said to have returned to work yesterday
morning
Colonel Hulings, his staff and the rife
team OF the Sixteenth Regiment were
escorted to Brigade headquarters yesterday
by the regimental band, where the Brigade
trophy was presented to General Wiley.
This trophy, handsome silver urn, was
won at Mt. Gretna short time ago by this
rife team, it having led the Second Brigade
in the number of points made. The
contest for the Connolly medal was begun
Yesterday, when a squad from the Six
teenth Regiment went to shoot over the
Salt Works range. This medal is offered by
Lieutenant Connolly, Inspector of Rifle
Practice for the regiment, to any member of
the Sixteenth, except members OF the team
Some of the troops are expected to put in
the afternoon on the range as long as they
remain in camp,
The Sheriff was in Homestead all day.
His deputies are attending strictly to bust
ness. No disturbance occurred yesterday,
and no insults were offered to the non-union
men while passing along the streets. Not
single arrest was made during the dav.