Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-11-14
FLYING BULLETS
Again Whistle Through the Air
at Homestead.
Strikers Assault Negro Workmen and
a Riot is the Result.
1aay sAsls Firsl-Thrss msa Seriously In.
jursd-6seat Excitement.

HOMESTEAD. Pa. Nov. l3-Not since
the famous 9th of July have flying bullets
been 30 plentiful here as this afternoon.
Inside of 20 minutes over 80 shots were
fired. and Fourth avenue was IN wild state
Of panic and disorder.
Rumors are plentiful of persons being
wounded. The only ones seriously hurt
apparently are three strikers named Nc
Fadden, Jones and Prichard. They have
all flesh wounds. Two negroes were badly
beaten
The fight started on Fourth ayeuuc,
about 4.30 O'Clock. Two colored men, who
work in the mill were walking toward the
mill, when they met striker, who sail
something to them. They replied, and the
striker knocked one down.
About 20 persons, including children and
women soon assembled. Both negroes
fought hard, and stones began to fly. The
men were besting them when one colored
man drew revolver and opened fire.
BY this time there were 500 people on
the street, and the bullets wbistling over
their heads started a panic. Three men
knocked down the second negro and when
he arose he had two revolvers in his hands.
He started to run, shooting willy back
ward as he did so.
1t is said that boy received flesh
wound in his leg but his name is unknown
When the colored men reached City
Farm lane, six other colorea men came
along and were assaulted. They all drew
pistols and ran down Fourth avenue in the
direction of Mcclure street, near where
their lodging house is situated.
Someone hurled a brick which hit Wash
ington Paul on the head. He opened fire
and so did the others.
In minute the air was full of bullets
and in front of the colored man there was
IL terrified crowd rushing into the houses
for shelter or dOdging up alleys.
A women too frightened to run, stood
on the street and as they passed one of the
nOn-,nionists shot at her three times. one
bullet passing through her shawl which she
had thrown over her head. Two bullets
went through the windows of residences
and one buried itself in the window siil of
a house occupied by the Coulter family,
who were looking out at the time.
While the negroes were running, men
dodging into alleys would hurl stones al
them. When the colored men reached the
house they run in and barred the door. In
a minute the house was surrounded by an
infuriated crowd who soon tore down the
fence and shattered every window with
stones.
When the deputies and borough officers
arrived some persons were suggesting that
they burn the house and some one began to
yell, Lets lynch the nigger black sheep.
This was taken up, and cries of Hang
EN- were heard on all sides. The officers
went in to arrest the colored men, and
found them huddled in one room. terrified
and expecting to be killed. One man said
he would be the first to leave. As he was
taken out a woman hit him with frying
pan, cutting his head. The deputies
tried to keep the crowd away,
while they took him to the lookup.
but he was hit several times.
Stones were hurled and Deputy Mont
gomery was struck. The officers then drew
revolyers and announced that if any more
stones were thrown they would open fire.
A Slay threw a stone, which crashed
through a window. He was arrested, but
the authorities seemed almost powerless. as
by this time over 2O00 persons had
gathered.
Several other colored men were beaten
on the way to the lookup. About this time
reports were circulated that the colored
non-unionists living on Shanty hill, were
about to come down and rescue their as
saulted brethren, and this was really the
case.
Over 80 colored men were ready to make
an onslaught at a moments notice, and the
Coal and Iron police had much difficulty in
restraining them.
During the shooting large crowd ap-
pcared before the house of Martin Conral,
non-unionist who is also a deputy sheriff,
and began to threaten him. Conrad dis
played revolver and kept the mob off, and
soon other deputies came to the rescue.
After all the colored men were removed
from the boarding house the excitement
subsided somewhat. Peter McFaddcn, who
first engaged the eolored men in fight, was
shot through the left arm and cut on the
head. James Jones, who came to his assist
ance, struck one of the colored men. The
negro thereupon showed revolver in Jones
face and fired.
The bullet struck Jones on the forehead,
glanced off, cutting bloody furrow over
the left eye Jones and McFadden were
arrested tonight. Mrs. Jones tried to res
cue her husband and attacked the officers,
but was restrained.
of the 4 colored men locked up, seven
have cuts on their heads, where they were
struck with missiles or clubs. John Lewis
and Baxter Ford were SO badly beaten that
u physician was summoned to dress the
wounds.
Tonight guards are on duty at the lookup
and non union boarding houses to prevent
attack.