Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-07-11
HOMESTEAD'S FIGHT.
DEPUTIES RUN OUT OF TOWN BY
THE WORkMEN.

of Determined Men--Governor Patti
son Asked to Avert Bloodshed.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, July 6.-The first ag-
gressive move in an attempt on the part of
the Carnegie Steel company to start their
mills in opposition to the wishes of the
locked out men was unsuccessful. The mill
workers came off victorious at every point.
The Carnegie Steel company applied to
Sheriff McCleary, of Allegheny county, for
help in guarding their Homestead property
and protection for those men whom, they
claim, are willing and anxious to go to
work, but are in fear of bodily harm from
the strikers. Sheriff McCleary, accom-
panied by ex-Sheriffs Gray and Cluly, came
from Pittsburg and repaired to the strikers
headquarters, announcing that they would
assume control of the Carnegie Steel COM
pany's property and would send some depu-
ties to guard the works. but before doing
so, wished personal inspection of the
grounds They asked for a pass to visit the
interior of the mill, which was not only
given by the advisory committee, but
body guard of ten men were furnished the
sheriff to show him everything in sight.
After an inspection of the works the sheriff
was escorted to headquarters where COM
mittee was awaiting him. The chairman
Of the advisory committee addressed the
sheriff as follows:
Mr.. Sheriff, the Homestead people, both be-
fore this trouble came and since its precipita-
tion, have expressed their intention of not only
guarding their own property but the property
of their employers, the Carnegie Steel compa-
ny as well. The property is not endangered,
hut the bringing into Homestead of deputies
ostensibly for the purpose of guarding proper
ty which is not in danger is unnecessary. Now,
we, the people of Homestead, wish to make
offer. We will place from 50 to 800 of our best
citizens inside of that mill to guard that prop
erty if the firm think 1t is in danger, and these
men will protect the property with their own
lives if necessary, and further than that a bond
of Sl0,0O0 will be given for the faithful vigilance
of each man posted. We don't want deputy
sheriffs here, as it will precipitate trouble, and
therefore make this offer.
The Advisory Committee Dissolved.
Sheriff McCleary said that he was unable
to accept the offer, although he acknowl-
edged the sensibility and fairness of the
proposition and states that he had been in
structed to bring fifty deputy sheriffs to
Homestead and would do so.
"You bring them at your own risk; we
hereby dissolve the advisory committee,
and we will not be responsible for any
trouble which may accrue from their COM
ing" said the chairman. The sheriff then
left for Pittsburg
The word that the advisory committee
had been dissolved and that the sheriff
would probably place his men inside the
works caused great excitement, and in less
than an hour petition was in circulation
tho landing ,t1archanta m Of ha
praying Governor Pattison to repair to
Homestead Immediately and take some
steps toward averting trouble and possibly
bloodshed, which appears near at hand.
In a.short time word was received that
ex-Sheriff Cluly with eleven deputies was
rapidly nearing Homestead on the Pitts
burg, Virginia and Charleston railroad. A
rush was made toward the City Farm sta
ton, and when the train passed about 5000
people had congregated about the depot,
but the deputies did not appear. A few
moments later mighty shout came from
1900 people gathered at Munhall station,
above which is the main entrance to the
mill, telling the crowd below that the depu-
ties had landed. The scene which followed
is undesirable. The crowd at City Farm
station were compelled to come up along
side of the fence about 300 yards before get
ting on to Eighth avenue, leading to Mum
hall station, and as every man wanted to be
the first to get to Munhall, the narrow pas
sageway was crowded to suffocation by the
struggling mill workers, all tumbling over
each other in their great haste.
When the crowd reached Eighth avenue
they were joined by larger crowd, all
pressing toward Munhall, and the sixty foot
street was hardly able to hold them. In
ba ba in, oh Of
Sheriff Cluly, were having an interesting
time at the Munhall gate. AS soon as the
train stopped the deputies, headed by Cluly,
started toward the gate, against which
stood several hundred brawny mill men.
The deputies came close up to the determ-
ined mill workers, who looked them square
ly in the face without finching or moving
an inch. Ex-Sheriff Cluly advanced and in
q clear voice said: "Men, we command you
to fall back and give us entrance to the
property of the Carnegie Steel company,
which we have been detailed to guard"
Tho Deputies Retreat.
There was silence for moment, when
one of the workers stepped forward and
said: "We cannot permit you to enter the
mill. The mill property is not In danger,
nor does it require your guardianship, and
we think that should we admit you to this
mill it would be against our interests so we
will not allow you to enter Should you
wish to return to Pittsburg we will see that
you get safely out of town"
Acting Sheriff Cluly, after a few mo
ments' conversation with his aids, said
"We will go back to Pittsburg, and will de-
pend on you for safe escort out of town"
A large body of workmen formed about
the deputies and started toward Amalgated
headquarters where the men could be kept
till the little steamer Edna could be sum-
moned to transport the deputies to Glen
wood. There was but little demonstration
Half an hour later the march to the Edna
quarter of a mile away, was begun. Each
deputy was escorted by workman, and
none was permitted to follow in their rear
Not loud word was spoken. Acting Sheriff
Cluly brought up the rear of the procession
with Burgess McGluckie, of Homestead, and
when the river bank was reached each dep.
uty shook hands IN turn with his escort
thanked him and stepped on board. AS
Sheriff Cluly stepped upon the gangplanh
he turned and said: 81 am much obliged
Lii, II