The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-12-15
DEVILTY AT HOMESTEAD.
ALLEGED ATTEnPT TO POISON SOL.
DlERS AND NON.UNIoN1sTs.
AAs Vnsnse Was Committed Last Summer,
But Has Recently Been Developed
prominent Amalgau ated Men I'm
der Surveillance.

FIFTsBURG, Dee II "A sunday pa
per publishes a startling story of a
conspiracy to poison by wholesale the
non-union workmen at the Carnegie
steelpant in Homestead. The devel-
opment ma e, it says, duplicates men,
oers OF the advisory committee of the
Amalgamated association and officials
OF some OF the labor organizations
sympathizing with the locked out men
at Homestead. AS result of the con.
spiracy it is alleged that several per-
sons lost their lives, while scores of
Others are still suffering at their homes
and in hospitals from the effects CT
poison administered them with crimi-
nal intent.
Today nine or more persons more
or less identified with the strike, are
under arrest ostensably on less serious
charges, but really for the purpose of
averting suspicion until all those who
are claimed to be in the hellish con-
spiracy have been secured. The only
name given of those charged with ad
ministering poison is Robert Beatty.
who was arrested at Louisville last
night. Several others, however, are
under heavy bail on other charges
and the new charge will probably be
made tomorrow, as all are under sur.
veillance and can be taken at aly
time.
The details of the foul plot as they
have been slowly but persistently and
unremittingly developed are sufficient
TO cause shudder to those who read
or hear them, especially when it is
known that at least two deaths and
perhaps number of others have al
ready been traced to the work of the
willing tool selected to carry the muir
derous plan into execution.
1t will be remembered that shortly
after the arrival of the state militia at
the Homestead mill and the non.union
men commenced work in the mills
complaints became prevalent about
the unwholesome water supplied.
Many cases of sickness we're reported,
all attributed to the impurity of the
water. So firmly impressed were
physlcia, ana officials of the company
that the water WAS causing the sick
ness that supply from other sources
wa secured and notices posted con-
spicuously about warning employees to
r, frain rom drinking the water. De-
spite these precautionary measures the
sickness con'inu, d, and soon it became
current at Homestead that an cpl
demic was prevailing among men
within the enclosure. A number of the
sick We're taken to hospitals for treat
ment and nearly all recovered, al
though many are still ill.
A representative of the State BOARD
Of health made Official investigation.
He found the sanitary arrangements
good and attribuI ed the sickness to
the water. The first intimation the
officers of the company had that the
diagnosis of the physicians was incor-
rect and that they were victims OF
conspiracy to poison that was being
rsistehtls and successfully exc
cuttd, was obIained more than
two months since. 1t come in
such a manner, however, that
it was impossible to make arrests
immediately. and it was not until yes
terday that evidence was deemed suf1i
GENTLY strong 10 warrant the appre
hension of at least one of those alleged
10 have been implicated in the con-
spiracy. Details of the plots were
learned from The cook, who put poison
in the food who, urged by a guilty
conscience. confessed When called
upon regar NIX tn story II q Friek
refused t. talk. At Homestead the
story is pronounc, d ridiculous.