The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-08-20
STRIKE OF swITcHMEN.
Cars burned and Property Destroyed.
Trouble in the Tennessee Mines.

L
The switchmen employed in Buffalo on the
New York, Lake Erie and Western, the Lee
high Valley and the Buffalo Creek Railroad
on Saturday struck for higher wages and
10 hour day. The switchmen are those en-
ployed 10 couple cars, make up and send out
trains, and in general way perform the work
around the yards. They are not, as the name
would seem to imply, those who turn the
switches The strike is sanctioned by the
Grand Master of the Switchmen's Mutual Aid
Association. Early Sunday morning three
incendiary fires were started in the freight
yard of the Lehigh Valley road. Eighteen
freight cars, loaded with merchandise, two
passenger coaches and two office buildings
were burned. A number of freight cars were
also derailed and wrecked.
The Sixty-ffih and Seventy fourth Regi-
ments, New York militia, were ordered to
Buffalo on Monday night, the Sheriff and his
deputies being unable to control the railroad
strikers No trains were moved on any of
the roads Monday, and agents have been in
structed not to receive live stock or perish
able freight. The effect of the strike is being
felt at other points and many train crews have
been laid off.
The switchmen on the New York Central
Road were ordered out at midnight on Tues
day.
The entire National Guard of New York
was ordered by Governor Flower to be ready
for action at moments notice. President
Mcleod says they have plenty of men who
are willing to work if afforded protection.
In some quarters it is believed that, with the
strike of the New York Central men, the
forces of the workmen are only just enlisted;
that the development of strength is yet to
come. The Central men struck and were
defeated two years ago, and it is not thought
they would go into another strike so soon I'M
less there was concerted plan to fight
pitched battle for supremacy.
The convict mine stockade at Oliver
Springs, in Anderson county, Tennessee, on
Wednesday, fell into the hands of the miners,
and the convicts, guards and % miltiamen
from Knoxville were put on train and
shipped to Nashville, via Knoxville. The
accounts of the affair vary, one despatch say
ing that the Warden marched out when the
mob was still a mile distant, while another
says the militia were responsible for the sur
render Major Chandler escaped and reached
Hartman, where the militia from Chattanooga
were awaiting orders. The miners were re-
ported to be concentrating at Coal Greek, and
an attack on the State camp there was antlcl
pated at any moment This is garrisoned by
only l6O men, while the miners are salu 10
number at least $500 men. The wires were
cut and railroad travel in the disturbed re-
gion interrupted. Governor Buchanan went
to Coal Creek Wednesday night after giving
orders to the Second and Third Regiments of
the State militia "to proceed forthwith TO
Coal Creek To protect the slockade there.
He also notified the sheriils of several coun-
ties to enroll large posses and to go to the
scene of the riots.
A fight took place between the miners and
the troops on Thursday aud there were about
forty persons killed.
At Buffalo. on Thursday night, there were
fully 5000 militia under arms. Switchmeu on
severa! other roads have joined the strike
and there is every indication that the strike
will be extended throughout the country.