The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-19
Excitement at Homestead.
eciai to the Indianapolis Journal


the night that Governor Pattison ordered
out the State troops to Homestead was
this little borough thrown into such
state of feverish excitement as it was this
evening whom the news went abroad thas
warrants charging the leaders of the strike
with willful murder had been issued in
Pittsburg and that six or seven men so
charged had given themselves up to the
authorities.
About 3 o'clock this afternoon two men
walked into the Office of Squire Kuehn.
the local magistrate, and made some in
quiries concerning the places of residence
of Burgess MuLuckie and other strike
leaders. They refused to tell why they de-
sired the information. The inquiries were
continued ct other places and suspicion as
to the real character of their business be-
came aroused when they were recognized
constables Price and Irwin. The sus-
picion was not verified. however. until
about O'clock. when II. NJ. Williamson.
member of the Homestead borough COun-
Gil, and also a member of the local ad-
yisory committee on the strike. arrived at
Homestead from Pittsburg with tho infor.
nation that the warrants had been Issued.
and the news soon became nOsed about.
While q suspicion that tho arrests were
anticipated had been prevalent for two
days, it was not supposed that the charge
against the strike leaders would be so seri-
ons one as murder, and the workingmen
we're thrown into . state bordering on con-
sternation by the direful tidinEs. Coming
as the news did, directly after the victory
of the AmalRamated Association in the re-
ment of the Carnegie works to accept the
invitation of the company to return to
their work, it turned jubilation into de-
spondency. and brought tears to the eyes
of many q man whose hoart was In the
cause. A few took the news quietly,
though the greater number lndulged
IN bitter words. but took care that
outsiders were not near when they
spoke them, Women gave way to
tears and declared that all was lost. while
little children, seeing their elders weep.
cluny tremblingly TO the dresses OF their
mothers and did likewise. 1t 10 certain
that the leaders of the strike had an ink
ling of what the Carnegie company intend
ed, but. nevertheless. the news that war
rants had been issued came like a thunder
bolt to them. They had expected that con-
spiracy would be the most serious charge
preferred, * any. and murder" had an
ominous sound that foreboded grievous
trouble.
scoNFERENCE OF THE LEADERS.
sAA hssty summons brought the leaders to-
committee, stones throw from the edge
of Camp Black. On the face of every man
was serious, troubled look. They met in
the private rooms so that tho serious phase
of the situation might be discussed with
out fear of being overheard.
The men of all grades of lntellig gence
have great respect for McLuokie and
O'Donnell They worship ODonnell. He
il considered young Napoleon among
them. He 10 q born leader, quick to think
and act 10 man of intelligence. and has.
practically guided the workmon in their
struggle. Burgess McLuckie 10 also q
counselor of peaceful methods, and has
done much to restrain the men from vio-
lence. He was burgess at the time OF the
strike of 1889. and was elected by the
workmen again this year. as they saw an
other difficulty with the Carneuie COM
pnny was brewing
Suspicion that arrests were to be made
to-day became aroused at the singular ac-
tion of Sheriff McCleary and deputy in
making n tour of the town under the escort
of battalion of troops. About l o'clock
this afternoon Major Brooke received or
ders from Colonel Green the provost mar
shal, to take Com Danies ID and 4 of his
regiment and 60 with the sheriff. The sol
diers followed the sheriff and deputy at
q distance sufficient not to attract atten-
tion. but nevertheless suspicion was ex-
formed of the peculiar actions of Mr.. Nc
Cleary. He stopped at q number of places,
and made inquiries concerning the where
abouts of some of tho leaders. but did not
succeed In finding any of them. 1t il not
believed that the sheriff had the warrants
in possession at the time, because his au-
thority does not extend to serving them.
The general explanation offered Is that he
was bent on gathering preliminary infor-
nation TO give the constables In order to
facilitate their Ouest.
Mrs ODonnell the handsome, spirited
little wife of the strikers leader. was pri-
vatcly informed by a friend during the af-
ternoon of the report that warrant for
murder had been issued against her hus-
band. There was just tho suspicion of q
tremOr in her voice as she asked the au-
thority for the statement. and II there
were any details Upon being convinced
bong asked as to whether there was
any connection between the warrant and
ODonnelPs departure, she quickly and
resOlutely answered, Indeed there is not
Homestead Immediately and stand up to
the end. ! expect him home tomorrow
has nothing to fear. Ii there was any one
who did what he could for psace sake and
to save the II Ives that day on the river. itwas
my husband" The intensity of tho wifc's
defense of her husbands uprixhtness and
manliness was almost pathetic. but her
brave demeanor under tho trying circum.
stances gave admiration tho first place
over sympathy. She was standing in the
parlor of the CHEEKY home of which the
strikers leader 10 the master, and 1t was
the first IN animation she had received of the
new danger staring her in the face. Her
prediction as to the course ho would pur-
sue seemed horn of sincerity and knowl-
edge of O'Donnell that not evon the men
who had followed him MP to tho muzzle OF
Winchesters could equal.
SNowDEN on HIS GUARD.
While the dramatic scene was in progress
at ODonnelrs home another striking pict-
ure could have been witnessed on the hill
top. q quarter of q mile away, where the
headquarters of General Snowden is stu
ated. Just under the folds of the stars
and stripes futtering from the flag staff
surmounting the school house. occupied as
the headquarters. could be seen two
strangely .unIike men standing side by side
gazing earnestly out of the window in the
direction of the town. One was the stall
wart military figure of General Snow
den. with tield-glass lifted, scan
ming the groups of strikers about
the Amalgamated headquarters. He was
taking n sweeping glance every moment or
two through tho streets of the borough, as
though expecting an emergency requiring
action. Beside him was saturnine-
featured little man with piercing eyes,
Deputy Sheriff Gray. the same individual
who conducted tho Pinkertons from Pitts
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