The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-07-19
ALARM IN HOMESTEAD.
The News Has a Depressing Effect
on the Wives of Workers.

Vhc news Has q Depressing Erect
on the Wives Of Workers.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, July 10. - Never
since the night that Governor Pattison
ordered the state troops to Homestead
was this little borough thrown into such
state Of feverish excitement as it was
last evening whep the news went abroad
that warrants charging the leaders of
the great strike with willful murder
had been issued in Pittsburg. About 8
o'clock yesterday afternoon two men
walked into the Office Of . .uire Kuhn,
the local magistrate, and made some in
quiries concerning the places of resi-
dsnces of Burgess McLuckie and other
strike leaders. They refused to tell why
they desired the information. The in
quiries were continued at other places,
and suspicion as to the real character of
the business of the two men became
aroused when they were recognized as
Constables Price and Irwin.
The suspicion WAS not verified, how
ever, until about o'clock, when T. H.
Williamson, a member of the Home
stead borough council, and also MEM
Der of the local advisory committee on
the strike, arrived in Homestead from
Pittsburg with the information that the
warrants had been issued.
That news soon became noised abroad.
While suspicion that the arrests were
anticipated had been prevalent for two
days, 1t was not supposed that the
charge against the strike leaders would
be so serious q one as murder, and the
worhingmen were thrown into state
bordering Oh CONSERVATION by the dire
full tidings. Coming, us the news did,
directly alter the victory Of the Anal
gamated Association in the refusal of
the men in the mechanical department
of the Carnegie works to accept the in
vitation OF the firm to return to their
old duties. it turned jpbilation into des-
pondency and brought tears to the eyes
of many man whose heart was in the
cause. A few took the news quietly.
the greater number indulged in bitter
words, but took care that outsiders were
net near when they spoke them. Women
gave way to tears and declared that all
was lost, while little children, seeing
their elders weep, clung tremblingly to
the dresses Of their mothers and did
likewise.
II is certain that the leaders of the
strike had an inkling of what the Car
negi company intended, but neyerthe-
less the news that warrants had been is
sued came like shock of thunderbolt to
them. They had predicted that con-
Bpiracy would be the most serious charge
preferred, if any, and murder" had an
ominous sound that foreboded grievous
trouble.
Hasty summons brought the leaders
together at the headquarters of the ad-
visory committee, q stones throw from
Camp Black. On the face of every man
was serious, troubled look, and haste
was made to lock the door of the con-
4.A.
the situation had taken might be dis
cussed without fear OF betrayal.
The members Of the town council also
met Their purpose was to consider
the arrest Of John McLucllie, the bur-
gess of the town. In the absence Of the
burgess Chief Byrne, of the FIRE depart
ment, became acting burgess.
The two men who have done more
than any dozen of others to restrain the
strikers from unlawful acts during the
many exciting days since the battle
with the Pinkertons are Hugh 0'Donnell
and Burgess McLuckie. The removal
of these two men from the town at this
critical time leaves the more hot headed
OF the strikers with few able to keep
them in check in case an emergency
arises tending TO lead them again 10 re-
sort to mob violence.
The men of all grades of intelligence
have great respect for those two men.
They fairly worship .O'Donnell. He is
considered young Napoleon among
them. He is born leader; quick TO
think and act. He is a man of remarlEa-
ble intelligence, and has practically
guided the workmen in their struggle.
Burgess MeLuelde is also counsellor of
peaceful methods, and has done much
to restrain the men from violence. He
was burgess at the time of the strike of
1882 and was elected by the worltmeu
again this year, as they saw another
difficulty with the Carnegie company
was brewing.