The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-20

steamer triei to rsturn and tow the barges
into the middle of the river again, but he
was not permitte1 to come near the bank.
The cannoueers across the river fired three
cannon balls at the Little Bill. Their aim
was bad, and one ball. entering the open
hearth department, took on mans mead.
The number killed was now ten, and
sleven wounded. The strikers asserted that
besides the captain and Lieutenant, four
other men were shot and fell from the barge.
One Pinkerton, becoming desperate, jumped
off the rear and tried to swim. He was
drowned. The pilot Of the Little Bill was
killed. The boat was driven of and pro-
ceeded down the river.
The men continu I'd using dynamite
STICKS throwing them over the piles OF coal
and iron. Some exploded in the wa ter and
the boats and sent pieces flying in the air.
At every successful shot th, man rsnt
the air with wild cheers. Sharpshootars
were stationed at various PLACES, ami shot
every time Pinkertou man lookei out. TO
see the position Of tls man.
Finally the strikers cannon burst and
they resorte to dynamite. Great chunks
OF it were thrown at the boat, the most o.
which only splashed the water.
Meanwhile the Pinkertons were huddlei
under deck. dragging in their dead and car
ing for their wounded, waiting for what
seemed their certain doom, as all overtures
of surrender had been refused.
Finally it was evident to everybody that
they would soon die if they were not re-
ieved, and the leaders OF the strikers
pleaded with their followers to allow the
Pinkertons to surrender.
The appeal was drowned with shouts OF
'sNow "NoT "We'll kill them like dogs"
"rhey shall have no mercyw but when.
few minutes later. the white handkerchief
appeared on the top Of ons Of the barges,
the firing ceased ami the strikers consented
to pariey.
The Finkerton men as soon as they found
it was cafe to talk, offered to surrender II
the leaders gu aranteed them protection. The
promise was given and 26S men marched of
the boat and gave up their arms.
Then the promise that they should not be
harmed seemed to be forgotten. They were
driven like sheep between lines Of strikers to
the Opera House. All the way they were
beaten first with fists and then with clubs,
and every conceivable weapon. Every man
was sore and covered with blood before he
found shelter.
Having locked the Pinksrtons up and sur
rounded the building with an armed guard
the strikers telegraohed Sheriff McCleary
to come to Homestead and take the prison
ers to Jail. The Sheriff left Pittsburg on the
first train.
No soone. were the detectives safely in
jail than the two barges were thoroughly
Sc archei by the Home stead men, and it is
said that the guns, carriages and uniforms
we're removed. This may or may not be
true. Barrals of oil were pouret upon tue
two boats and they were burned to the
waters edge at sunset. -
A complete list of the killed and wounded
was not obtainae bic. but as far as could be
ascsrtained, eleven worknen and nine
detectives were killed, and eightsen work.
men and twenty-one detectives injured
in the battle. In addition to this, at
least 100 detectives were seriously in
iured by the strikers on the way to the jail :.
Tne imprisoned Pinkertons say that seven or
their men were killed outright and eleven
wounded. They believe several dead men
were thrown of the Little Bill into the river
The number Of Pinkertons placed In the
lookup and rink was 234.
Governor Pattison went to the scene OF
conflict, and it was expected that ne woui1
order out military force to preserve order.
At l2I next morning special train
of ten cars backed quietly into the r,
v. and C. depot, at Homestead Sheriff Nc
Cleary and W. j. Brennan jumped from
the train and hurried to the lookup and
the rink where the Pinkerton men were I'M
prisoned. A momsnt later the prisoners were
marched to the depot, and almost without
word they were hurried into the car waiting
them. Al tho blinds were pulled down and
not 200 psople in the place knew that tneir
enemies were being taken away. ABOUT
fifty citizens Of Homestead accompanied the
prisoners to PittsUurg.