The Red Cloud chief., 1892-07-15
AWFUL WORK.
Desperate Conflict NJ the Home
stead Iron Works.
Three Hundred rinkcrton Detectives sent
to the Works Fire Upon workmcn md
Fearful Hattie Ensacs-Many
Killed and Wounded

P~rrrsBrReH, Pm, July T.-Early yes
tcrday morning 800 Pinkerton detectives
arrived in Pittsburgh from the cast
M~onongahela river where they wore
loaded on bargcs and shipped ~ Home
stead ut 2:l5 o'clock.
II was exactly Z o'clock when the
steamer and bargcs were sighted 10y
the watchers gathered ON the river
bank "a mile below the town. Directly
the feet was sighted, three mcsscn-
gers, zach Lounted on fresh horses,
started for Homestead, shouting ~
they rode, tbe advance OF the dreaded
bargcs. Some one notified the engineer
Mt the electric light works and the
whistle sounded the general alarm.
The people responded with wonderful
alacrity. There were old men and
young mon, elderly women. mothers
with their babies in their arms and any
number of children. The throng head.
cd towards the river. The day was
just dawning aud clouds of thick gray
ish vapor hung over the waters. Sud
denly from out the shadows were seen
the lights Of the steamer. On either
side of her were the bargcs. The mo-
mcnt the people on the bank caught n
glimpse Of the ilotilla they made u
break toward the works.
A more determined body OF men
never entered u battle. The sight Of
their wives and children seemed To give
them courage. The men resemblcd %
drilled army more han a bowling mob
as all lined the bank evenly. There
they stood for an instant, watching
every move of the Pinkertons.
Suddenly n form was seen to break
from the ranks of the workingmcn and
move toward the waters edge. Almost
instantly u flash was seen on the boat
followed by II report, and II man was
seen to fall and roll down the bank.
One had met his death.
The shot was the signal for attack.
and opened one of the greatest wars
between capital and labor that the
Keystone state has ever witnessed.
After the exchange of shots the crowd
grouped on the bank fell back and
climbing over u heap Of rubbish, rushed
toward the big trestle leading to the
railroad bridge. Here over 5000 mon
stood their ground and returned n de-
sultory fire with their rcvolvers ut tho
invaders. These shots did little or no
apparent damage.
The first battle occurred nj dawn ycs-
terday morning when the Pinkerton men
attempted TO land. They were met by
thousands and after Il desperate fight
were driven back.
Then followed n truce OF about four
hours This was broken by d second
attempt Of the Pinkertons to land, and
for several hours fighting followed. At
least ten men were killed on shore and
a dozen wounded. The losses OF the
iPinkertons was estimated at from four
to ten killed and wounded.
At IL o'clock the strikers secured n
cannon and began bombarding the
barges, and mt the same time efforts
were made to burn the boats by means
of n blazing stream Of coal oil.
Flags Of truce raised by the Pinker-
ton men were shot down, and ut 1880
o'clock in the afternoon the Pinkertons
were besieged in their barges-
At 3:45 p. m. the Pinkerton men were
In n terrible position, being exposed TO
the perils Of fire, bullets, cannon shot
and dynamite. Sensational reports ex.
cite the people on shore and II Ii be-
lieved that tho detectives who are im-
~prisoned on the bargcs will perish II
rescuers 10 not speedily appear.
The strikers captured q GOO gal
lon oil tank at the east end Of the
works ut Munhall station. The oil
was set on fire and let into the river.
but q strong wind blowing in tho oppo.
site direction saved the barges u few
yards below.
4 p. m.-During the afternoon a
fourth flag Of truce was raised, but the
man holding 1t was shot. Then an
other cannon was brought and blazing
oil was turned on the barges.
The steamer Little Bill, which
brought the barges from the city, was
fred on as 1t returned, but the crew all
hid.
4:15 p. m.-Two thousand workmen
from the South Side mills of Pittsburgh
have just marched into Homestead with
flags and banners flying. They say they
have come to the assistance of tho strik.
RS. The excitement Is increasing.
Supplies OF ammunition and arms ar,
being furnished to the strikers by the
citizens Of Homestead, and are arriv'
ing from Pittsburgh and McKccsport
1t is feared the carnage has but begun
Later in the day the Pinkertons Of
fered to surrender. The mob accepted
1t, disarming the men MS they left the
barges and hurrying them TO custody
The Pinkertons lost nine killed ant
many desperately wounded. Elever
workmen were killed and eighteen
wounded. The bargcs were burned.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, July IA complete
list of the killed and wounded was no,
obtainable at midnight As far al
could be ascertaincd, eleven workmer
and nine detectives were killed ana
eighteen workmen and twenty-one de
t~ectivcs injured in the battle. In add
ton to these AT least 100 detectives were
seriously injured by the strikers, while
on their way tn the Jail.