The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-07
BLOODY RIOT
An Invasion of Pinkerton Hirelings
Repulsed With Great Loss
A Day of Bloodshed and Carnage
at the Homestead Steel
Plant.
Probably as Many as Forty Lives
Sacrificed in the Terrible
Battle.
Trouble Caused by an Arbitrary
Reduction of the Wages
Of Employees.
One Of the Natural Fruits OF the
Tree OF Repu blican Pro-
lection.
A Tariff Baron, Arrogant in His
Many Millions, Responsible
for Murder.
Winchesters. Revolvers, Cannon, Dyna-
mite, and Fire En- ployed In the Awful
Work of the Day.
One OF the Natural Fruits OF the
Tree OF Repu blican Pro-
lection.
A Tariff Baron, Arrogant in His
Many Millions, Responsible
for Murder.
Winchesters. Revolvers, Cannon. Dyna-
mite, and Fire mployed In the Awful
Work of tho Day.


blood has been shed, life jeopsrdized and
valuable property placed In danger. This
time there was no destruction of property,
but tho mob is thor oughly we'll organized.
we'll disciplined and had sufficient officers
at their head to conduct operations. Tho
force embraced all men employed in the
extensive plants of the Carnegie Iron and
Steel company at Homestead. eight miles
east of Pittsbutg, and battle which for
bloodthirstiness and boldness of execution
has not been excelled in aceual warfare,
ragged from four o'clock in the morning
until five O'Clock in the afternoon,
and only ceased when the force of P!nker-
tons brought to the place to suppress the
strike Internationally surrendered, leaving
their arms in tho barges in which they had
been transported to their work.
The riot to-day was tho culmination Of
the troubles which have been bsewing At
Homestead for the past month. The Car
negie company submitted ascale which was
to govern workmen in their steel plants
and announced that it was their ultimatum.
The scale made sweeping reduction in the
wages of skilled men and il was officially
announced that unless the terms were COM
pt1e0 WIN DeIoro July l, tne places OF Sn0
workmen would be filed by others.
This was followed by a peremptory
refusal on the part of the company to
recognize the Amalganiated association.
The men announced their detSrmin alton TO
resist any effort on the part Of Carnegie TO
run the plants with non-union men. Trou-
BILE was precipitated by the workmsn st
Homestead hanging H. G. Friok, president
of the company. in effiRv. and in retaliation
the company ordered an immediate shut
down of the big works. I he employees at
once proceeded to organize for defense, and
the company erected high board fence
around the entire works, giving them the
appearance OF an immense stocksde. the
sides being pierced with portfolios. Yes
its intention to proceed to get ready TO
make repairs and the ot1icials asked the
sheriff to appoint deputies to protect
the property. The sheriff sent q small
squad OF men up to the works,
but the strikers assembled in force and
notified them to get out Of town, as no dis
order was intended. no damage would be
done the property. they even offered to be
sworn in as deputies and give bonds for the
faithful performance of duties as conserva-
tors of the peace. When the offer was de-
clined the advisory committee, which had
been directing the action of the workmen,
and held the turbulent spirits among
and all records of the committee promptly
destroyed.
Developments to-day showed that the ap-
plications made for the assistance OF the
sheriff was merely for the purpose of cover
ing what WAS intended to be coup de main
on the part of the Carnegie company in
clandestinely int oducing body Of Pink
srton guards into the mill enclosure. These
men had been rendezvoued some five or six
miles below the city on the Ohio river,
where two model barges had been prepared
for them. The barRes We filled up with
hunks, cooking arrangements, and other
accommodations, and as an extra precau-
which they were subjected to-day. were
lined with heavy steel plates on
the inside, while the whole
back deck was protected in simila. man
ner. 1t was the intention that the men
should reach the works about three O'Clock
this morning. but strikers on duty along
the river got word OF the threatened in
vasion of hated Pinksrton men. and pre-
pared to receive them, The barges were
towed up the river by tug boat, but long
before the Pinkerton men reached Home
stead thousands of strikers had gathered
on the bank of tho river, ready to give them
4 warm welcome.
When the boats attempted to land work
men broke through the fence surrounding
the mill and entrenching themselves behind
piles of steel prepared to resist the landing.
Ry four o'clock in the morning an effort
was made to land the detectives, but the
strikers: met them and fierce battle
wss prscipitatsd. both sides exchanging
heavy volleys of sbots. The Pink
ertons were armed With Winchester
rifles. but at the point where The attem pt
to land was made there WAS a steep en-
bRnkment and they were compelled to come
mp single file, and were soon driven back to
the boats by a steady fire from the
shore. Tho noise of battle spread about
the borough like wild fire, and thousands
OF men, women and children thronged to
the river bank to witness the fight in prog
ress. The Pinkerton mon determined to
land, and they poured volley after volley
into the ranks of the strikers, many of
whom we're stricken down by bullets, some
fatally injured. others killed outright. AS
the battle progressed the strikers took up a
position behind breastworks hastily CON
struoted of steel rails, and from this place
of safe refuge were able to pick OIL the
guards As soon AZ they appeared on the
decks of the boats. '".'
In the meantime Capt. Hind and Supt.
Kline, of the Pinkertons, were disabled and
the fire became 10 fierce that the crew of
the tow boat hastily cut looSs from the
barge and steamed up the river, carrying as
many wounded rs they could reach to
from which point thev were sent
TO hospitals Al PittsbEsg. Yhe slSikesI