Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-07

Al I43 there Was another eolIislou
between the workmen and their adver-
saFies. Tina time the strikers scored
nfst blood by iring a yolIey al the
boats Four Of the Pinkerton men
dropped III their tracks, but their
associates quic&ly returned the fire.
The captain o. the steamboat Little
Bill, which earned the Plnkerton men,
Was shot dead. Then, after a few
moments OF lndlscrmlnate trlng on
both sides the skifmlsh ended. The
victim OF this apparently unpremedi-
tated collision was Henry Streigei, IS
years OF age. who was formerly EN-
ployed At the works as q helper. He
WAS shot through tue left breast and
lived only a few moments. The
strikers then went TO work construct
ing stout barrlcade OF steel bars AS q
line OF defense on the bank overlook
ing the spot where the boats were
anchored. Behind tina barrier OF steel
MAS cannon, antique as to pattern,
bat still capable of dong serious dam
age II called upon. The strikers said
they would open fire on the float of
the enemy before noon. The Pinker-
ton men suffered severe loss IN this
last engagement. William Foy, who
was shot IN the fret skirmish, died
soon after. John Willard had his
head almost blown from his shoulders.
Bianng oil In tho River.
About . o'clock the strikers attacked
the barges from 10th sides OF the river.
Less than an hour later the strikers
poured oil into the river above the
steamboat and barge and lgnited the
oil. The boats retreated. At 1915 the
Plnkertons were nemmed IN on all
sides aud appeared 10 be doomed. The
steamboat that towed the barge up the
river disappeared. The cannon planted
on the opposite shore was being fired
every few minutes with terrible effect.
A little later a telephone message re-
ceived at the headquarters OF the
Amalgamsted ASSOCIATION pictured the
situation thus: "The men are drawn
up IN hne IN the mill yards and the
harges are out IN the river. The Sec
ond battle Is ended"
At 1910 =. m. near the iavatory, one
man AIMED his rifle aud the next in
slant a shou. went up aud Pinkerton
who had been standing on
the barge, fell. The bullet had passed
through his head and he dropped into
the rlver never to rise. The locked
out men had gained entire possession
OF the company's lavatory, and in
this their ammunition Is stored.
Tne workmen have at least 500
rifles in their possession.
At 1890 O'Clock II WAS reported that
the boats were ablaze. Tho strikers
Dad sent out barges Of oil. which floated
down toward the Plnkerton boats.
Firing was going on both sides OF the
river. At ii O'Clock nine men were re-
ported killed, among them the captain
of the Pinkertons, who was wounded
early in the tight. The number of
wounded was variously estimated. IL
was said that il would reach twenty at
least, and that number of these would
die. The detectives at the house Of
the Plnkerton forces were hemmed IN
and at the mercy of the workmen, who
held the position of advantage on the
bank. At 11:l0 the Plnkerton men
withdrew from the scene and started
down the river.
- Hostiitties Renewed.
At 1880 the boat Little Bill, which
towed the barges to Homestead, was
seen coming down the river, large
United States flag flying at the mast
mead. The appearance OF the boat was
"A signal along the river front for re-
newed activity both on and off the
barges. "She's coming to take the
bsrges away" was the cry raised on
the shore. As the boat came nearer
u WAS seen that she carried squad of
armed men who were lined up on the
side next To the Homestead mills.
When opposite the converting depart
ment the men on the boat opened fire
on those on the shore. For ten min
otes the riring continued, the Pinker-
tons on the barges joining the men on
the boat IN the shooting. The men on
the bank returned the fire from be-
hind furnace stacks which they used a.
. shield. SO warm was the fire from
the shore tnst the men on the boat
were driven 10 cover. Several men on
the boat were seen to fall, and it is cer-
tain that they were wounded. No one
on shore was injured 10y the firing from
the boats. The Little Bill made an at
tempt to tie up To the barges, but
failed. owing to the shower OF bullets
from the shore, and the towboat passed
down the river. leaving the occupants
of the barges IN very uncomfortable
quarters.
Attempt to Bnrn the Barges.
The attempt to set fire to the barges
did not prove successful by the raft
process and another attempt was made.
From the converting department of the
mill to the edge of the river where the
barges lie moored runs n switch. On
TINS was run car filed with barrels of
OIL. lumber and waste. To this a
I gbted torch was applied and the car
cut iouse. The flames sprang up dis
tsncs of hundred feet. while grest
volumes OF smoke rolled heavenward.
The crowds on the hillsdes sent up a
lusty shout "a word reached them of
the intended burning of the bsrges and
all on board. The car of tire rushed
down the steep incline IN the direction
of the bsrges and the men on the
bsrges watched its approach with
blsnched faces. just then the steamer
Little Bill pulled IN between the hsrges
and the shore. but on reaching the
water the oar of fire came 10 stop.
The heat, however. was intense aud
tie little steamer was soon smoking
hor.
q. a. ". Caprcp Brougbt Into Piav.
IL was said that the steamboat had on
board over one hundred men who bad
come from Braddock To re-enforce the
PinkertoH men. Armed men followed
the boat along the river bank. Another
cannon was now wheeled up the Penn
icky railroad track 10 the bridge TO be
pressed into service. On the slde Of
the cannon carriage vss the name
Post ~ c. A Rrs Tha eaonon was