Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1892-07-16
LABOR BATTLES.
Thirteen Hour Conflict Between
Strikers and PinkertonS.
Bullets, Dynamite, Cannon and Fire
Employed By Strikers.
Inc finkertons Surrender and Are Placed
III Jail-Cnheard of Cruelties Follow
the surrender-Eleyen strikers
and Nine Detectives Killed.

DAY morning 800 Pinkerton detectives
attempted TO land at Homestead, from a
small boat They were fred upon by
steel workers who were on watch and
skirmish took place; About 100 shots
were exchanged. Two strikers were
shot. The Pinkcrtons We're repulsed
In all about dozen were wounded.
For two hours before the boats ar
rived 5000 or G,00O persons awaited
their coming on the river banks.
The mills have a landing for boats
within the enclosure of the fence
and at first it appeared that there
would be no way to prevent the Pinker-
tons entering the mills. Shortly be-
fore the boats reached Homestead a
horseman riding at a mad gallop spread
the alarm that the Pinkcrtons were
coming. AS the boats steamed toward
the landing it was impossible to longer
restrain the crowds.
With whoop and yell of derision an
onslaught was made on the fence. Soon
one hundred feet of the enclosure was
torn away and 1000 men were at the
landing.
A second battle took place shortly af-
ter s a. IN. The captain of the steamer
Little Bill, which carried the Pinker-
tons there, was shot The firing for
some time was almost continuous. The
strikers attacked the barges from both
sides of the river 1t is said that four
Pinkerton men We're killed in this
scrimmage, and that their bodies fell
from the barge INTO the river.
AT 1880 a, m, the boat Little Bill,
which towcd the bargcs to Homestead,
was seen coming down the river, Il
large United States flag flying from the
masthead. The appearance of the
boat was the signal along the river
front for renewed activity both on ano
off the barges.
she's coming to take the barge
away" was the cry raised on the shore
As the boat came nearer it was seer
that she carried a squad of armed mer
who were lined up on the side next tn,
Homestead mills, When opposite tn,
converting department the men on the
boat opened fire on those on the shore
| For ten minutes firing continued, Tho
Pinkcrtons in the barges joining III,
men on the boat in the shooting, Tn,
men on the bank returned the fire from
behind the furnace stacks, which the,
used as a shield.
| So warm was the fire from the shor
that the men on the boat We're driven Il
cover. Several men on the boat wcr
seen to fall, and it is certain that the
wcrn wounded No one on shore wa
injured by the firing from the boat'
The Little Bill made an attempt to Ii
up with the bargcs, but this was impo,
sible The attempt to set fire TO tn
bargcs did not prove successful by tn
raft process, and another attempt wa
made.
From the converting department Q
the mill to the edge of the river whcr
the barges are moored runs a switci
On this was run ear filled with barrel
of oil. lumber and waste. To this
lighted torch was applied and the ca
cut loose. The flames sprang up dis
tance of hundred feet, while grca
volumes of smoke rolled heavcnward.
The crowds on the hillsidcs ovcrlooR
ing the scenes sent up a lusty shout a
word reached them of the intcnde
burning of the barges and all on boarC
The ear of fire rushed down the stec
incline in the direction of the barge'
and the men on the bargcs watched ii
approach with blanched faces.
Just then the steamer Little Bi
pulled in between the barges and tn
shore, but on reaching the water tn
car of fire came to stop. The hea
however, was intense and the littl
steamer was soon smoking hot A
this time a continuous fire was kept W
and it is estimated that / 900 shots wci
exchanged during this brief engage
mcnt. For some reason those in charg
of the cannon on the opposite shore di
not fire shot during the battle.
The steamer Little Bill, which ha
evidently received fresh supply
ammunition and reinforcement OF PM
crton's, continued down the river.
At 2:lO p m. flag of truce was di
played by the Pinkerton men and WI
Shot down 1t was hoisted the secon
time with the same result. The thin
time the flag was riddled with bulle
and hardly enough of it left to hon
gain.
Sheriff w. II. McCleary telegraphe
to Gov. Patterson for instructions al
received the following reply; "Loc
authorities must exhaust every meal
at their command for the preservatlt
of peace" 80,
PlrTspuRGH, July AT 2 o'cloc
Thursday morning complete llst
killed and wounded was not obtainaol
but as far as could be ascertained eleVe
worl,men and nine detectives wei
killed; eighteen workmen and twent
one detectives injured in the oat'l
In addition to this at least one hunor,
detectives were seriously injured by u
strikers while on their way to inc ID
Wednesday evening. one Oh 'ne'
r;e,;ms has since died of his injurle
and another is dying r
, During the all-day battle the po' ;'
wns bombarded for several hours VIII
n brass tcn-pounder cannon. /,
The stout oaken timbers forming VI
, sides of the boat were splintereo' U
!, the heavy steel plates on the INSIDE pr p,
, vented the balls from penetrating "
|, interior Many OF the strikers np' M
: evrr we're expert marksmen, ana 'h'
sent shot after shot into the por, no,
|, In the boats, and inflicted terripie
iurv to the imprisoned men.
When it was found that little impre
sion could be made by the cannon
,hc bontr. an effort was made 10 II
, tho barccs. and thus compel the oe., v,
tivcs to leave the vessel or su,ler '. "
, horr;ble fate of being burned aliv
!, Hose were procured and oil was spray
, an tbc decks and sides of the barge
. While this was being done, barrel al. ~,
h,rel Of oil was emptied into tne r'v
, .hove the mooring place, the ooJoe' :,
!. 49, - allow it to float against u u
, "s hnats and then ignite it. This terrlo !,
, Iosd J was attempted several times, . ,,
, ,he boats did not burn, ana tnen y :,
, 'no,, W., beca ne infuriated and hurled q