The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1892-08-16
Off by Turned Switches.
JEERING DEMONS AT THE wREeKs
Perched Upon Cars shey smoke and
Enjoy the Result of their
Lawless Work.

BUFFALO, N. T., Aug. 16.-The first
dispatches sent out from here yesterday
regarding the devilish work of the
strikers, was-a tame affair. They set
the fires which destroyed more than 200
loaded cars, at a. IN. yesterday. They
turned the switches which threw
passenger coaches off the track at great
loas of property, and the imminent peril
of life; they dubbed and sandbagged
non-union men wherever found; they
stole all the switch-lights on the Erie
between Smith street and the Western
New York and Pennsylvania target, and
the switches could not be seen in the
darkness. A wrecking train left this
city to bring the passengers from Erie
train on the other side of the fire, and
Lehigh train from Philadelphia. The
trains were both late asthey reached the
city, and were thrown from the rails by
the turning of the switches. At 2:45
O'Clock the Erie passengers were brought
into the city, tired and disguised. They
were not molested by strikers, but the
ladies and children were considerably
frightened by the rioting and fires of the
freight-cars. Lehigh Valley train ar
rived st Erie station at 8 a. m. 1t lay at
Williams street five hours. The strikers
had an impression that an extra train
which was filed with actors. was carry
ing trainmen to take the places of the
strikers. The strikers searched it, but,
failing to find any non-union men, they
Withdrew without injuring anybody.
Members OF the theatrical company
stated that the confusion and the fire
just beyond Williams street was appall-
ing around the burning cars. The
strikers and their sympathizers were en-
joying the result of their lawless work.
Perched high on box cars, they smoked
and jeered at the railroad men working
at the blazing wrecks. At 4 As a. m.
the situation was improved somewhat
and the prospect favorable for car
passage.
Freight Conductor Martin Nevils, of
the Erie, died this morning from the re-
suit of his injuries. Neyils was hit on
the head, it was supposed, with slung
shot Union men were assaulted where
ever found. The Lehigh Valley lost
seventeen cars, and the Erie twentyfour.
Railroad men are unable at present to
fix an estimate of the loss. A claim will
be made against the city and county for
damages, and the amount, of course, has
not yet been figured up. Forty y-seven
special deputy sheriffs left for Cheektow-
aga and more will be sent out during the
afternoon. If the sheriff finds he cam
not enforce order he will appeal to the
government for military aid. The strike
has spread to Wayerly, and will probably
go to Hornellsyille and Bradford where
the switchmen are dissatisfied 1t will
not spread to any others in Buffalo, be-
cause, .'Grand Master Sweeney" says:
eve have come to an agreement with
the Western New York and Pennsyl-
vania on 16-hour basis, and will have
ence with the general superintendent of
the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg
has been arranged for today. I expect
a settlement also to be made with that
road" Sweeney claims that the Erie
and Lehigh switchmen have been
treated badly, their advances being
spnrned by those in high authority, and
offers an apology for the unions, at
whose secret meetings the ineendiarlsm
was enthused; by emphatieally con-
demning the acts of lawlessness, and
stating that it was the work of irrespon-
sible individuals who could not be con-
trolled, and not of the strikers. In the
ruins of one of the cars burned Iast night
the police have found the remains of an
empty kerosene can, showing the, man
incendiaries. The car department
claims the work of the men at the
freight-car department was much inn
peded by the cutting of hose by un-
known parties. Twelve lengths of hose
were cut and rendered useless during
the night. It is estimated that from
100 to 200 cars were destroyed by the
incendiaries.