The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-12
Startling Story of a Devilish
Plot at Homestead.
COOKS ALLEGED CONFESSION
He Put Deadly Powders in the Food
of the Non-Union MillhandS.
One or the Alleged Conspirators Denies
the Story. but an Attorney Afirms
It-Homestead People Say tho Story
IL Not Truo.

PITTssURG, Dec. ia Sunday paper
publishes story today of a conspiracy to
poison by wholesale the non-unlon work
men at Carnegie's steel plant at Home
stead. The developments made, it says,
lmplicate members of the advisory COM
mlttee, members of the Anal gamated
Association and the officials of some OF the
labor organizations sympathizing with
the locked-out men. AS result of the
conspiracy, it is alleged. several persons
have lost their lives, while scores of
others are still suffering at their
homes and in the hospitals from
the fleets of poisonous drugs adminis-
tered them with criminal intent. Today
nine or more persons more or less identi-
he'd with the strike, are under arrest, os-
tensibly on less serious charges, but really
for the purpose of averting suspicion un-
til all those who are claimed to be in the
conspiracy are secured. The only name
given of those charged with administering
poison is Robert Beatty, who was arrested
at Louisville last night. Several others,
however, are under heavy bail on other
charges, and new charges will probably be
made tomorrow. The details of the foul
plot are sufficient to cause people to shud-
der, especially when it is known that at
least two deaths and perhaps number of
others have already been traced as the
work of willing tool selected to carry the
murderous plan into execution.
1t will be remembered that shortly
after the arrival of the state mill
tia at Homestead, and after the non-
union men commenced to work in
the mills, cases of sickness were reported,
but were attributed to the impurity of the
water supply secured from other sources,
and the notices posted conspicuously
about the mill warning employees. De-
spite these precautionary measures. the
sickness continued, and it soon became
current at Homestead that an epidemic
was prevailing among the men in
the enclosure. The first intimation
that the men were the victims of
a conspiracy was obtained more than
two months since, but in such a manner
as to make it impossible to make the ar
rests Immediately, and not until yesterday
was the evidence deemed to be sufficiently
strong to warrant the apprehension OF at
least one of those implicated. The price
to be paid when the mills closed down
was 5000. The terrible plot, according
to the information obtained by reporter,
was made by man who was in the plot,
and is substantially as follows:
One of the chief cooks at Homestead
met him one day and asked if he wanted
job at Homestead. He said his informant
told him he could make big money if he
would help him. He said he was not only
employed by the Carnegie company, but
was also in the pay of the labor associa-
of vii
committees, and was just coming money.
AS he grew more confidential and
prompted by questions about pay from
the association, he told him of the
plan to poison the food of the men
employed in the mill so as to make them
sick and render them unable to work. He
detailed the plan he had been pursuing
and asserted that nearly if not all the
sickness among the men had been caused
by poisons he placed in the food. He said
ne was to get 5000 if he succeeded in
closing the mill. He urged them
to accept places and hold them; it
would be an utter impossibility for
them to be detected, and finally left them.
with the understanding that he would
meet them in this city the next day. give
them some advance money and take them
to Homestead with them. Realizing the
Nervousness of the proposition, the men
called upon Chairman Frick and laid the
matter before him. Upon the advice of
the company's attorneys, they met the
cook and proceeded to Homestead
with him and were duly installed
IN the positions by the cook. The
day after their arrival number
of men were reported sick, and the cook
told how he had placed the poison. coll
ored powder. into the food, and told them
to watch for an opportunity TO use it in
the food. Fearing the men could not be
trusted, two Pinkertons were engaged TO
keep a close surveillance on the inform
ants as we'll as the cook. The latter be-
came suspicious, and at once discontinued
the use of the powder.
Orders were then given that the work
men should take their meals at
restaurant outside the enclosure. Later
the men reported that the cook was be-
coming uneasy, and they feared he might
conclude to leave the city in a hurry.
They said the deaths among the men, and
especially that of Charles Closer. un-
nerved him, and they believed he would
make clean breast of the whole plot if
placed under arrest. This was done, and
when confronted with the facts as stated
above. the cook broke down and made a
full confession, in which he gave the
names of those who employed HIM, the
amount OF money he received and the
manner III which he carried out mis- part
of the terrible crime He stated that he
frequently visited the camps of the mill
tia and dosed the food prepared in the
cook house. His visits were always fol-
lowed by increased sickness among the
members of the National Guard. His con-
fession was taken by s:enographer in
the presence of several witnesses. He
also exhibited vouchers for the money due
him.
After the testimony had been reproduced
upon a typewriter. it was read to him and
he signed the statement in the presence Of
witnesses. After making the confession
the cook begged that he should not be
placed in jail, and his wishes were COM
piled with. He. however, as we'll as the
original inforrnants. were kept under
surveillance night and day. all of them
having been continued in the employ OF
the firm until the arrests could be made.
Charles Closer, above referred 70, died
two weeks after going TO Homestead. 1t
IS said that since the confession made by
the cook the body had been exhunaed and
the stomach submitted 10 q chemist for
ANALYSIS. Il IS said the chemists report
will be submitted in evidence when the
cases come UP for trial. 4 reporter called
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