The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-14
Mr.. Snyder's behalf. and was rebuked with
muoh vehemence. including q threat to
blow his brains out.


He Justifies the Conduct of the Men, and
Says He Wants to Be Arrested.
HOMESTEAD, July 13.-The various lead
srs OF the Homestead strike returned from
Pittsburg safely, IN spite of all the rumors
that have been running about town about
their arrest Hugh O'Donnell said: "Yes,
have been expecting to be arrested for
days past, although don't think anything
will be done until after the congressional
committee has left Pittsburg. Of course
it is only big bluff, but it will amount
to nothing don't deny that / saw the
fight with the Pinkertons: that carried
the flag of truce which ended the battle,
and that was badly hurt In trying to save
the detectives from the vengeance of the
mob. If this was criminal then l am ready
to 90 to prison for my crime Further
than this l defy the detectives to prove
any criminality on my part. No man could
have stopped the fight or averted it once
those men attempted to come in with guns
In their hands. They were from hrst to
last the aggressors My knowledge of the
situation Is such that know it to be alb
s0lutely untrue that our people shot before
fired on the river bank were noE directed
at the boat. am told, bnt were to warn
the people of Homestead of the coming
danger. l did all in my power to avert
bloodshed. as O half hundred men can
testify. But when the attack was begun
our people could not be held.
when went out towards the barges
with white hag fully forty rifles were
turned upon me by Onr own men, and L
heard ono of them call out, We don't want
to hurt you. Hugh, but by - you must
put down that white Nag or We will kill
yOu.' We forced tue men TO accept the
surrender, just tho same, at peril that we
knew we'll. The mobbing Of the Pinker-
tons we could not prevent. 1t was done.
not by the men who had been in the fight,
but by the outsiders, who were safely
slowed away while there was danger In
tae front.
ITO be candid, hope l will be arrested.
1t will relieve me from the responsibility
winch has somehow been pushed upon me
in this trouble, and want to 60 into court
and have this outrageous attack upon
peaceful cltizeps by hired assassins vcnti-
lated, that the whole world may know the
truth. If am guilty Of inciting the riot
the sheriff knows where | live, and / am
net going TO leave my homo. But l will
not 20 to prison alone. / expect Mr. Frick
and MIR. PinkertOn will havo sOne un.
justice.
1.-The people of the country must under-
stand that we have not changed one porti.
ole our position for all that has happened
are right. We know that we will defend
ourselves to the limits of our rights. and
we know we have the public opinion of the
country behind us. Here is one days let
Mt. O'Donnoll produced bulky bundle of
letters. Half of which we have
not yet had time to read. Here, for in
stance, is a note from the plate g lass work
ers' assembly of ElwoOd. Ind. whose SYM
pathy takes the very practical form of a
her fn a n from a.
ion 81 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers. Offering more money. Similar
letters from the International Machinists.
the Coopers' National Union. the Teamsters'
Confectioners' of Allegheny county,
all rendering practical help. which,
fortunately. we don't yet need.
Besides this we have letters from clergy
nent In .philanthropio work, from dis:
tinguished citizens, all sending us kind
words and practical advice. We weighed
tho cost before we went into this dispute.
and ne know clearly what we are about.
2 Va will -be Justified by the end of it,"
xnumb Der of mill men who were recognized
as leaders of the conflict have lett Home
stead to avoid arrest. The arrest of
three men now in Pittsburg is gen
considerable alarm. If the leaders are ar.
rested OF Leave town the strike will vlrtu-
ally be broken. A gradual change
In the situation is noticeable.
Mill men no longer assert their self
assumed authority. and to-day q sub
dned air Is apparent every where among
the strikers. STRANGERS are leaving, and
tine streets are unusually quiet.
- Sheriff McCleary was seen after he ap-
peared before the con ngressional investlga-
tion, and when asked if amy of the
Homestead rioters would be arrested
said: 81 don't know what will be
done. So far no warrants have been
issued. OF course IL any are placed in my
hands we will have TO do our duty and ar
rest the men wanted. However. / know no
more abont what Is to follow than you do.
IL Is said, although the story is denied,
that q small body of union men turned mp
to-day intending to apply for work at the
mills They were met by a committee. and
after some Arguments, returned to Pitts
burg.