Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-12-15
A DIABOLINAL PLOT.
WHOLESALE POISONING OF NON
UNION MEN AT HOMESTEAD.
Mil Cook Makes a Full Confession of tho
Horrible Details - Labor Leaders, =
Druggist and q Physician Said to BE
lmpli Gated.


10 poison by wholesale the non-union men
ut the Carnegie steel plant in Homestead.
The Developments made, it is said, impli-
Gates members OF the advisory COMMITTEES,
members OF the Amalganated associa-
ton and officers of some of tho labor Or
CARNATIONS sympathizing with the locked
out men at Homestead. AS result OF
this conspiracy, it is alleged that several
persons lost their lives, while scores of
others are still suffering at their homes
and in hospitals from the effects of pol
sonous drugs administered to them with
criminal intent. Nire or more persons,
more or less identified with the strike, are
under arrest, ostenslbly on less serious
charges, but really for the purpose of avert
ing suspicion until all those who are
claimed to he in the conspiracy
have been secured. The only name
given of those who are charged
with administering poison is Rob
ert Beatty, who was arrested Saturday
night at Louisville. The details of the
plot are sufficient 10 cause shudder to
those that hear them.
1t will be remembered that shortly after
the arrival Of tho state militia at Home
stead, and the non-uuiou men had com
menced work in the mills, complaints be-
came prevalent about the unwholesome
water supplied to the men.
Many Cases of sickness
were reported, but were all attributed to
the impurity of the water A supply
from other sources was secured, and
notices were posted about the mill warn
ing the employees TO refrain from drinking
the water. Despite this precaution, the
sickness continued, and soon it became
current at Homestead that an epidemic
was prevailing among the men within the
enclosure. The first intimation that
the officers had that the men were
the victims Of a conspiracy to poison
was obtained more than two months
since. 1t come in such manner,
however, that it was impossible to make
arrest. Immediately and i t was not until
Saturday that the evidence was deemed
sufficiently strong to warrant the appre-
hension of at least one of those who are
alleged to have been implicated in the
conspiracy to get rid of the hated non
union men, either by death or creating
such panic among them that they would
flee from the fatal place in body. The
price to be paid when the mills We're
closed down was 5000.
Details of the Plot.
The terrible plot, according to the in
formation obtained by the reporter, was
substantially as follows: The informant
said that one Of the chief cooks at the
Homestead works, with whom no was in
timately acquainted, met him in the city
one day and asked him If he did not want
job at Homestead. He said he wanted
at least two assistants and said the in
formant and his friend could make big
money if they would help him. He told
them he was not only employed by the
Carnegie company but was also in the
pay of the labor associations and members
of the strikers committees, and was just
coming money. AS he grew more conf
dental he told of plan to poison the
food of the mon employed in the mills so
as to make them sick and render them
unfit for work, and asserted that nearly,
II not all the sickness among the men, was
caused by the poisOns he had placed in
the food. He said he was to get $4,000 if
he succeeded in closing the mill Ho
urged them to accept the places told
them it would be mn utter impossibility
for them to be detected, and finally left
them with the understanding that he
would meet them in the city next day,
give them some advance money and take
| them TO Homestead with him.
Trapping the Cook.
Realizing the Nervousness of the propo-
sition the two men called upon Chairman
Prick, and laid the matter before him.
! On advice of the comp sny's attorneys the
two men were instructed to meet the
cook and proceed to Homestead with him.
That evening the two men went to Home
stead, and were duly installed in their
positions by the cook. The day after their
arrival a number of the men We're reported
sick, and the cook told them how he had
placed the poison-a colored powder in
the food, and told them to watch for an
opportunity 10 use 10 IN the food
Fearing that tho two men could not be
trusted, two Pinkertons We're engaged tc
keep close surveillance on the inform.
ants as well as the cook. The latter be-
came suspicious and at once discontinued
the use OF the powders. Orders were then
given that the workmen should take their
meals At the restaurant outside the en-
closure, the reason being given tba. the
company was tired OF furnishing meals,
and that as quiet had been restored and
the mill in good working order the meals
| would be discontinued.
Some time later the men reported that
they feared he might leave the city In q
! hurry. They said that the death of some
of the men had unncrved him, and they
believed he would make a clean breast OF
the whole plot if he WAS summoned to the
| Office and placed under arrest. This was
done, and, when confronted with the facts
as stated above, the cook broke down and
| Made ~ Full Confession,
| In which he gave the names OF those who
employed him, the amount of money ht
| had received, and the manner in which he
had carried out his part Of the terrible
crime He stated also that he frequently
visited the camps of the militia and do sed
the food prepared in the cook house. His
visits We're always followed by increased
sickness among the members of the Ma
tional Guard, His confession was takeI
by stenographer in the presence of wit
| peSses.
After the confession the cook begged
that he should not be placed In Jail, aud
his wishes were complied with. He has