Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-07
STORY OF A "PINKERTON."

ehu hhe" Notn1ng OF any LABOR Trouble.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, July Among those res
cued from the barges was a tall, smooth-faced
young man named Atkinson, who gave this &C
count Of his experience as a Pinkerton detect
i've: my home is in New York city. am
member Of one of the leading military COM
panies there. Being out OF work answered an
advertisement for watchmen. was told that
would be paid SIS a week and boarded free Of
cost accepted the place. When got to the
train I found nearly hundred men who had
also been engaged as private watchmen. We
were told that we were to go
to little country town, but nothing was said
of strike. We were led to believe that we
were to have an easy time Of it. None Of us
knew where we were going. We were taken to
Buffalo, Rochester, Erie, youngstown, Ohio,
and finally put off the train in Pittsburg, though
at that time we had no idea where we were. We
were marched to the barges, which were soon
steamers. We had not proceeded far
when the boats came to a stop and we
heard firing. Then 1t was that we were
handed guns and told that We must fight
for our lives. This was the first intimation
that we had of the character of the work for
which we had been engaged. Many Of the
men refused to obey the orders to use the
guns. Not few made q rush for the steamers
but found that they had cut loose and that
there was no possible chance Of escape from
the trap. All night long We were in state of
terror, and when daylight came we saw the
armed and determined looking men on the
river bank and heard the roar of the cannon
and saw men fighting and dying all around our
feet things can better be imagined than de-
scribed.
ONLY FIFTY REGULAR PINKERToNs
"There were about fifty trained Pinkerton
men on the barges, who seemed to be doing all
the firing. With blanched faces, strong men
pleaded with those in command to run up a flag
of truce, but they would not listen to it. When
it was found that the fight was to continue
many Of those on board threw down their arms
and hid beneath cots, mattresses, &c. By lying
on our stomachs we could see everything that
was taking place on shore. When we saw that
preparations we're being made to burn the
barges by throwing oil upon them not one of
command grew nervous, but still they would
not give up.
THOUGHT OF SUICIDE.
''It was then that made preparations to kill
myself. loaded my revolver and made up my
mind to blow out my brains should the boat be
set on fire. am Just as positive that not less
than a dozen OF our men committed suicide
during the day az that am standing here. I saw
four jump into the water and sink, and have
been told that several others made way with
themselves in the same way. They went over
the side Of the boat furthest from shore and
could not be seen by the men in the mill yard.
The pleading Of some Of the older men, who
said they had families, was enough to
move the hardest hearted, but it was not until
those in command saw that to remain on the
boats until after nightfan meant sure death
sent out word that they were ready to surrender.
As a member Of a military company I have seen
sham battles and have had some pretty rough
experiences, but that was all feather-bed
soldiery compared with what have gone
through during the past day and night. will
less know exactly what am going TO do"
JOSEPH aLosIER's ACCOUNT.
With his head bandaged, one arm in q sling,
Joseph Glosier, . man weighing over 200
pounds, was the picture of misery. He said:
~ got all my injuries on the way from the boat
to the rink, but am not complaining. should
have had my head knocked of for coming here.
Ny home u in Jersey City. I have family.
Recently lost my position. A friend told me
he could get me place e private detective in
little town near Pittsburg at q salary
Of els Q week and board. went home and
told my wife. With tears in her eyes she begged
me not to accept the place. She said that
something told hi that the employment offered
was not honorable, a. people were not paying
did not listen to her. After being hauled all
over New York and Ohio reached Pittsburg
With number Of men whom also learned had
been engaged e. watchmen. None Of us knew
exactly where we were going, and not
until we heard the firing early this morning did
We know there was trouble of any kind When
I was handed . gun I threw 1t down and told
TIE man who appeared to be sort of captain
that would not fire Q shot against working
men. am glad TO escape alive. Yes, sir. am
sure ct least bait . dozen men jumped over
board when they saw the men ON shore were de-
termined to burn the barges."
John Mathew Of New York sid; 81 never
want TO 60 back to Homestead and hope We
may got out Of Pistsburg soon. No description
could &c our condition inside the barGss. II
was . veritable hell. laid on my back for
hours In momentafy fear Of getting bullet
through my head. We expected 10 be killed II
We bad TO stay inside until night The abuse
W got on the street was the most inhumAn
ever experienced or Witnessed and I have been
/ . detective for twenty ysaxl"
VIEWS or PKrrssuRG PAPERS.
what 70 eolA q the Homsstsad Azhlr by
These Near the Place.
PIFfssUns, July THE Commercial Gasefts,
commeuttng on the bloodshed 81 Homestead.