The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-07-07
along the river got word of the threatened
invasion Of the
nArEp rINKERToN MEN


HATED PTSKERToE MEN
and prepared to receive them. The barges
were towed up the river by tug boat. bat
long before the Pinkerton men reached
Homestead. thousands of strikers 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 sur
rounding the mill, entrenching themselves
behind piles Of steel, prepared to resist the
landing
BY o'clock in the morning an effort was
made to land the detectives. but the
strikers met them and O battle was pre-
cpitated, both sides exchanging heavy
volleys Of shots. the Pinkertons being
armed with Winchester rifles.
But at the point where the attempt to
lard was made there was steep embank-
ment, and they were compelled TO go in
single file. and were soon driven back to
the boats BY the steady fire from the shore
THE NOISE OF THE BATTLE
spread about the borough like wildfre and
thousands of men, women and children
thronged to the river bank TO witness the
fight in progress.
The Pinkerton men were determined to
land, and they poured volley after volley
into the ranks of the strikers, many Of
whom were stricken down by bullets,
some fatally injured, and others killed out
right.
AS the battle progressed the strikers
took up a position behind breast works
hastily constructed of steel rails, and from
this place Of safety were able to pick of
the guards as soon az they appeared on the
decks of the boats.
In the meantime Captain Hind and Su-
perintendent Kline OF the Pinkertons were
disabled and the fire became so fierce that
the crew of the tow boat hastily cut loose
from the barge and steamed up the river,
carrying IS many wounded as they could
reach to Braddock, from which point they
were sent to hospitals at Pittsburg. The
strikers wounded were carried to their
homes at Homestead, the dead being car
ried TO the undertaking establishments in
town.
News of the riot reached Pittsburg as
early as 6 o'clock in the morning and
thousands of nil workers now idle con-
q egated in the streets while hundreds of
others arrived with guns and revolvers,
and well supplied with ammunition. took
to the march to reinforce the strikers.
AS soon as day broke the strikers Sc
cured q small brass ten FOUNDER cannon
and planted it within a steel billet en-
brazure SO as TO command the barges.
AT the same time force of more than
thousand men took Up position on the OPP
posite side of the river and also planted a
cannon, which they protected with
breastwork of railroad ties. Shortly be-
fore 9 o'clock the cannon was turned on
the boats and for several hours
AN AWFUL COMMANDMENT
was kept up. The boat was splintered, but
the heavy steel plates inside prevented the
ball from penetrating The interior. Many
Of the strikers, however, were expert
marksmen, and they sent shot after shot
into the portholes Of the boat and inflicted
terrible injury to the imprisoned men.
When 1t was found that there was little
impression made by the cannon on the
boats, efforts were made TO fire the barges.
A hose was procured and oil SPRAYED on
the decks and sides of the barges, and
barrel after barrel OF oil was emptied into
the river above the mooring place, the OBJ
jet being to allow il TO flow against the
boats and then ignite it. The terrible
deed was attempted several times but the
boats did not burn and then the mob be-
came infuriared and hurled dynamite
bombs at the vessels with great effect.
The situation OF the detectives was such
as 10
APPEAL TO THE sToUTEsT HEARTS.
Several times did they run up flag of
truce. but as many times was 1t struck
down by bullets fired by the strikers.
Then it became evident that the ammu-
milton of the besieged detectives was either
exhausted or they were too much worn out
to continue the fight.
Towards dusk efforts were again made to
burn the boats with their living freight
ana they would doubtless have succeeded
had it not been for the interpretation of
leading officers of the Amalgamation asso-
citation, who went to the scene of war
Through their efforts it was agreed to al
low the detectives to surrender, but this
was secured with the greatest objection on
the part Of the msn, many Of whom had
lost friends ana acquaintances during the
day; besides there were thousands Of tur-
buient characters attracted to the place
and they
VISITED TO SEE THE CARNAGE GO on;
and 1t was not until some OF the strikers
pointed guns at the outsiders that hear
ing was obtained.
AT o'clock the Pinkertons hung out
another white flag and this time it was re-
aboard TO prepare terms of capitulatlon
They guaranteed safe conduct for the
Pinkertons provided they left their arms
and ammunition behind and agreed TO
leave the place under guard.
TIE DETECTIVES HAD NO ALTERNATIVE
and promptly accepted the terms of the
men, some saying it was the first time they
ever submitted to such humi.iating sur
render.
When the inspection Of the boats was
made they found at least seven Pinkerton
men killed and twenty or thirty wounded,
many so badly that they will die
AS they were brought from the boat they
PRESENTED TERRIBLE. APPEARANCE.
Many were besmeared with blood. while
all showed signs OF exhaustion.
The most shocking and dastardly deeds
were committed while the prisoners were
being escorted through the streets, and an
escort Of guards was appointed by the
strikers. An angry mob lined the street
on both sides. AS the men passed by. each
in charge Of two deputies, the mill men
and friends kicked them and threw some
down. The unfortunate
DETECTIVES BEGGED FOR MERCY.
Some had pistolshot wounds in their heads
and three had eyes shot cut; several could
scarcely limp along, the blood running in
streams down their shirts and they fairly
yelled with pain.
Fully thirty injured men were taken to
the town hall. One han his eyes punched
out by an umbrella in the hands Of q woman
and sand thrown in his eyes, and the mill
men struck the detectives over the head
and shoulders with rifles, inficting serious
and, in some cases. perhaps. fatal injuries.
As the procession reached the Amalga-
mated association building the detectives
had to remove their hats and salute the
flag. When they removed their hats, men
and women hit them with umbrellas and
sticks and
ABUSED THEM IN EVERY WAY IMAGINABLE.
They seemed to be determined to kill the