The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-06
Fifty Deputy Sheriffs Confronted by Thou
sands of Determined Men and Forced TO Re-
tura to Pittsburg, Whence They Came.
Each officer Guarded by Striker and
Conducted to a Waiting Steamer.
Not Loud Word Spoken Nor Disturbance of
Any Kind-The Men Offer TO Provide
Guards from Their Own Ranks.
DETERMINED STRIKERS.
No Deputy Sheriffs to he Permitted 20 Guard
tf,, Homestead steel Works

United Press Dispatch.
HOMESTEAD. Pa. July 5.-The first ag-
gressive move in the attempt on the part
of the Carnegie Steel Company. to start
their mills in opposition to the wishes of
the locked.out men was made to-day. but
was unsuccessful. The miil-workers came
of victorious at every point. This morn
ing the company applied to Sheriff Nc
Cleary, of Allegheny county, for help In
guarding their property and protection
for the men whom they claim are
willing and anxious to 60 to work,
but are in fear of bodily harm from the
strikers. Sheriff McCleary came from
Plttsburg at noon and repaired to the
strikers' headquarters, announcing that he
would assume control of the Carnegie
Steel Company's property and would send
some deputies tognard the " orks later in
the day, but before doing so wished per-
sonal inspection of the works. He asked
for o pass to visit the interior of the mill,
which was not only given by the advisory
committee. but o body-guard of ten men
was furnished the sheriff to show him
everything in sight
after an inspection of tho works the
sheriff was escorted back to the headqu uar-
ters of the strikers. The chairman of the
as follows:
"Mr. Sheriff. the Homestead people. both
since this trouble came and since its pre-
clpitation. have expressed their intention
of not only guarding their own proper ty
but the property of their employers. the
Carnegie steel works. as we'll. The prop
erty is not endangered. but the bringing
into Homestead of deputies. osten-
sibly for the purpose of guarding
property which is not in danger. is unnec-
stead. wish to make an an offer. We w,li place
from fifty to FIVE hundred of our best citi-
zens inside of the works to guard the prop
erty If the firm thinks it is in danger. and
these men will protect the property with
that. n bond of $4,000 will be given for the
faithful vigilan CO of each man posted. We
don't want deputies here, believing they
will precipitate trouble, and we make this
Offer"
So THE OFFER REFUSED.
r Sheriff McCleary said that he was unable
to accept the offer, although he acknowl-
edged the fairness of the proposition, and
stated that he had been instructed to bring
fifty deputy sferiffs during the afternoon,
and would do 80.
"You do so at your own risk. We hereby
dissolve the advisory com mittee and we
will not be responsible for any trouble
which may accrue from their coming" said
the chairman.
The sheriff then left for Pittsburg. but
before he got out of town the following Pc
titicn, signed by many of the most proni-
nent citizens of MIfflin township, was f1y-
ing over the wires to Pittsburg:
w. j. Brennan, ESQ. Pittsburg:
U,v.
porary injunction 10 restrain the sheriff Of Alle-
gheny county from placing deputies at the
Homestead steel-works. We believe that it Is q
move calculated to cause unnecessary disturb
ance.
No reply had been received from Mr..
Brennan up to o late hour. The word that
the adsleory committee had been dissolved
and that the sheriff had determined to
place his deputies inside the works before
night caused great excitement, and petit
tion was signed by prominent merchants
and sent to the Governor asking him to
prevent the sheriff from placing deputies
In the works.
Late in the afternoon word was received
that ex-Sheritf Cluly was rapidly nearing
the town with deputies. A rush was made
for the stations. and about 3, 600 strikers
congregated about, but the depu ties did
not appear. A few minutes later great
shout went ND from 1,5OO people at Mum
hall Station. above which is the main en-.
trance to the mill, telling the crowd below
tn at the deputies had landed. The scene
which followed is sindescri bable. The crowd
at the City Farm Station were compelled
to come up alongside the fence about three
hundred yards before getting on to Eighth
avenue, leading to Munhall Station, and as
every man wanted to be the first to get to
Munhall Station the epace was filled by
the struggling mill-workers ali tumbling
over each other in their great haste. When
the crowd reached Eighth avenue it was
joined by a larger crowd, all pressing to-
ward Munhall station, and the sixty foot
street was hardly wide enough to hold
them.
THE SCENE AT THE GATE.
In the meantime the deputies in charge
of ex-sherlff CluIy were having an inter.
esting time at the Munhall gate. As soon
as the train stopped the deputies, headed
by CIuly, started toward the gate, against
which stood several hundred brawny
mill men. The depu ties came
close up to the determined mill
workers. who looked them square in the
face without tiinching. or moving an inch.
Ex-Sherin Ciuiy advanced, and In clear
voice said: Men. We command you to fall
back aud give US entrance TO the property
OF the Carnegie Steel Company, which we
have been detailed to guard"
There was silence for moment, when
one of the workers stepped forward and
said: We cannot permit Won to enter the
MILL The mill property is not in danger.
nor does 1t require your guardianship and
We think that should we admit you TO this
mill 1t would be against our interests. so
we will not allow you to enter. Sbonld
you wish to return to Pittsburg we will see
that You get safely out of town."
Acting Sheriff Cluly, after few mo-
ments' consultation with his aids, said:
I'VE will 20 back TO Plttsburg and will de-
pend on sou for safe conduct out of town."
A large guard of workingmen formed
around the deputies and started toward
Amslgamated headquarters, where the
men were to be kept un til the little steamer
Edna could be summoned to transport the
deputies to Glen wood. There was but little
demonstration. Half an hour later the
march TO the Edna, quarter of q mile dis
tant, was begun. Each deputy was ee-
corted by q workman. ana no one was per-
mitted to follow IN their rear. Not o loud
word was spoken. Acting Sheriff Cluiy
brought up the rear of the procession, with
Burgess McGluckie, of Homestead, and
when the river bank was reached each dep
uty shook hands, in turn. with his escort.
thanking him. and stepped on board. As
Sheriff Clnly stepped upon the gang plan k
he turned and said: Il am much obiiaed,
boys, for your kindness. and now ! will
walk the plank"
The Edna pushed OFF amid dead silence
and the little crowd quietly dispersed.
The Edna returned from Glenwood at
O'Clock. after placing the sleriif's men
within easy reach of the electric cars for
Pittsburg. The town at this writing no