Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-13
WHEELING W. VA WEDNESDAY MORNING. JULY 13 1892

going to work, and possibly some demon
stration of violence, upon the par of those
whose places have been filed, most like
lv by an element which usually is attracted
to such scenes for the purpose Of stirring
up trouble.
1--WE are not deslrous that the men you
send shall be armed, unless the occasion
properly calls for such measure later on
for the protection of our employees and
property. We will wish those guards to
be placed upon our property and there to
remain, unless called into service by the
civil authorities to meet an emergency that
is likely TO arise.
These guards should be assembled at
Ashtabula, Ohio, not later than the morn
ing of July 5th, when they may be taken
by train to McKee's Rocks or some
other point upon the Ohio river, be-
low Pittsburg, where they can be
transferred TO boats and landed within
the enclosure of our premises at Home
stead We think absolute secrecy essen
tial in the movement Of the men, so that
no demonstration can be made while they
are eproute.
Specific arrangements for the movements
of trains and connection with boats will be
made as soon as we hear from you as to the
certainty of having the men at Ashtabula at
the time indicated. As soon as your men
are upon the premises we will notify the
Sheriff, and ask that they be deputiZed
either at once, or Immediately upon an out
break of such character as TO render such
step desirable.
Very tuly yours,
H. G. FRTcK,
Chairman.
To ROBERT PINKERToN, ESQ,
New York City.
Mr.. Oates-'That letter was written
before the works were closed down?"
Mr.. Frick-"Yes, sir; but the men
were not to be sent here until July 6tn.
''But you had arranged for their as
sembly at Ashtabula before there was
any hostile demonstrations"
mo, sir; the hostile demonstrations
were made July 1st."
but you anticipated June "a that
here would be trouble?"
'Yes, SIR"
Mr.. Boatner-"Had anything been
said, or done, that warranted this an
ticipation?"
Nothing particularly"
Mr.. Oates-Besore shutting down the
works did you build a stocade around
them?
"Yes, SIR"
'In contemplation of trouble?"
"Yes, SIR"
"What was the first disorderiy demon
stratlon on the part Of the men?"
Mr.. Frick answered this question by
reading the notice given to the firm by
the Advisory Committee, calling atten-
ton to the gas burning in the furnaces,
and disclaiming any responsibility on
their part for any act that might occur
should the fires be allowed to burn.
He stated further, that this notice
was served two days before the Pinker-
ton men were started from either New
York or Chicago.
Mr.. Oates-What is meant by shut
ting off the gas?
Mr.. Frick-We use natural gas in
some of our furnaces, and the burning
indicated that work was to be re-
sumed.
"When and how were the Plnkertons
armed?"
THE arms and uniforms of the men
were shipped to this city
by rail and put on barges
here by Captain Rodgers.
Then on July 4, we served notice on
Sheriff McCleary, calling upon him for
protection"
Chairman Oates informed Mr.. Frick
that the committee would hold under
advsement his refusal TO answer the
questions relative to the cost of produc-
tion and the committee adjourned until 9
o'clock tomorrow morning, when the
examination Of Mr.. Frick will be con-
tlnued.