Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-07-14
Flag of Truce Riddled,
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.


The Riot "Wednesday the Culmi nation of
Months Troubles.
PITTsBURG, July 6.-The riot to-day was
the elimination of the troubles which have
been brewing at the Homestead for the past
month. The Carnegie company submitted
q scale to govern their workmen in the steel
plants, and announced that it was their
ultimatum. The scale made sweeping re-
ducton in the wages of skilled men, and it
was officially announced that unless the
terms were complied with before July
!, the places of the workmen would be
filled by others. This was followed by
"A peremptory refusal on the part of the
company to recognize the amalagamated
association of steel and iron workers as
such, or to confer with any committee of
the workmen short Of an acceptance of the
terms offered The men stated that they
would never submit to the proposed reduc-
ton, and announced their determination
to resist any effort on the part of the Car
neges to start up their plants with uon
union men. AS both sides were deter
mined, both proceeded to prepare for the
contest which eliminated in violence and
boodshed to-day. The contest was precip-
itated by the workmen at Homestead, by
hanging H. c. Frick, president of the COM
pany, in etfgy.
In retaliation, the company ordered
immediate shut down of the
big works two days before the
time provided by the contract un-
der which the men were working. The EN-
ployes at once proceeded to organize for the
defensive and the company erected high
board fence around the entire works, giving
the appearance Of an immense stockade, the
sides being pierced with port holes.
Yesterday the company announced their
intention to proceed to get ready to make
repairs and the officers asked the sheriff to
appoint deputies to protect their property.
The sheriff sent a small squad of men TO the
works but the strikers assembled in force
and notified them to get out of town. as no
disorder was intended and no damage would
be done to any property. They even offered
to be sworn in as deputies and to give bonds
for the faithful performance OF their duties
as conservators of the peace. When this
offer was declined, the advisory committee
which had been directing the action Of the
workmen, and which had held the turbulent
spirits among the workmen in check, was
immedi lately dissolved and all the records of
| the committee were promptly destroyed
The developments to-day showed that the
| application made for the assistance of the
sheriff was merely for the purpose Of cover
ing what was intended to be coup lie main
on the part Of the Carnegie company, in
clandestnely introducing body Of Pinker
| ton detectives into the mill enclosure. The
| detectives had been rendezvous, some five
or six miles below the city on the Ohio river
| at which point two model barges had been
prepared for them. The barges were of the
| best build, and were used in shipping iron
rails down the river from the Carnegie
mills at Braddock. The holds were fitted
up with hunks, cooking arrangements and
other accommodations, and an
| extra precautlou were lined with
heavy steel putes on the inside
while the whole back deck was protected in
a similar manner. 1t was the intention that
the men should reach the works about 3
o'clock this morning, but the guards which
were on duty along the river got word OF
the threatened invasion of the hated Pink
erton men and prepared to receive them.
The barges were towed up the river by a
towboat, but long before the Pinkerton men
reached Homestead thousands Of strikers
had gathered on the banks Of the river
ready to give them warm welcome. When
the boats attempted to land the workmen
broke through the fence rounding the
mill, and entrenching themselves behind
piles of steel blllets prepared to resist the
landing of the detectives.
By 4 O'Clock in the morning an effort was
made to land the detectives, but the strikers
met them and fierce battle was preoipi-
tated, both sides exchanging heavy volley
of shots. Tho detectives were all armed
with Winchester rifles, but at tho point
where the attempt to land was made there
was a steep embankment, aud they were to
60 in single file, and were soon driven back
to the boats by the steady fire from the
shore. The news of tue battle spread about