Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-08-05
SOLDIERS AWE THE MOB
Bloodshed Narrowly Averted
at Duquesne.
MECHANICS KEPT OUT OF THE MILLS

A Foreman Knocked Down q Ravine--
quesne Strikers Lose Their Cause
Potter and the Pinkertons Released.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, Aug. Clubs and
stones took the place of moral suasion in
thestrike at Duquesne yesterday, and not
until the military was called upon was
anything like order restored. The trouble
began shortly after Z o'clock, when 80
men employed in the mechanical depart
meDt put in ar appearance. These men
were among those who the day previous
signed an agreement to return to work at
the company's terms.
Superintendent Morrison informed them
when the agreement was signed that no
attempt would be made to start the mill
until next Monday. He then ordered
Foreman William Milslagle to put 80
men to work making repairs. The men
selected for the work were promptly on
hand at Z o'clock, but they did not go to
work.
Near the entrance to the mill they were
met by crowd of nearly 800 Duquesne
and Homestead strikers, the latter having
gone from this place during the night.
Twelve deputy sheriffs endeavored to keep
mechanics might pass into the works, but
they were soon overpowered and COM
PEELED to retreat.
In the struggle, some of the deputies
had their maces taken from them Seeing
that to further resist the mob would re-
suit in bloodshed, the little band of work
men retreated in good order This victory
encouraged the strikers, and when Fore
man Milslagle came upon the scene a few
m 1ato at tod To hn
mill gate, he found himself surrounded
by bowling, lawless mob, but the fore
man, with club in hand, defled the strik-
ers.
Near the gate he found himself con-
fronted by dozen men. They told him
that if he did not turn back he would be
killed. Half dozen deputies then ran to
his rescue. They begged of Milslagle to
return to his home.
Reluctantly he consented and started
for his residence, which stands on the
edge of the hill back of the works. He
was followed by three men, one of them a
Homestead steel worker. When he
reached a narrow pathway, running
| along the edge of a deep ravine, the
Homesteader ran up behind him and
| dealt him a terrible blow on the back of
the head. Milslagle was rendered uncon-
scious and rolled to the bottom of the
ravine.
He was picked up by friends and taken
to his home, where he soon recovered.
The assault was witnessed by the mob of
strikers, who cheered when they saw
I Milslagle knocked down. The strikers
then caught sight Of Boss CarpenterHugh
Boyce fastening toward the mill gate.
With a wild yell they started for him with
appraised clubs. But the deputy sheriffs
promptly executed a flank movement,
lori 6o6 in
| ting him in the mill nninjured.
The crowd surged about the gate which
i they threatened to break down If Boyce
was not brought out Before they could
| carry out their threat the strikers caught
sight of several companies Of militia
| swooping down upon them in double
quick time. The sight of the bluecoats
and the glistening bayonets caused the
mob to scatter in all directions.
| In few minutes the entire 10Th Regi-
| ment, under command of Col. Hulings,
was in possession of the place, having
| reached Duquesne on a special train a
| few minutes after Gen. Wiley had been
| apprised of the serious situation of af-
fairs. Col. Hulings ordered the captains
of the respective companies to place men
| on all streets leading to the MILL with or
/ ders to allow no one to pass without
| written orders.
| Details were also sent to Oliver and
| Cochran stations, while a full company
| took possession of the road in front of
the works. Finding themselves at bay,
| the strikers gathered on the hill above
the town, where they contented them
selves with hurting imprecations on the
heads of those below.
Sheriff McCleary will endeavor to double
the number of deputies in Duqnesne. Di-
rect telegraphic communication will also
be established between that point and Gen.
| Wiley's headquarters in Homestead.
Carnegie's employees have lost the strike
In Duquesne, as 41O of the men have
| signed agreements to return to work next
Monday. Fully half this number are
Amalgamated men, who in order not to
lose their places have deserted the organi-
cation.