The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-07-15
TIE HOMESTEAD TROUBLES.
Scenes and Incidents Connected With the
Battle at the Homestead Iron Works.


battle lulls, the singing OF mimic balls.
the bursting of shells and the roar of
the cannon become desultory, 50 the
fierce fight which broke with the dawn,
took up the morning hours and reached
far into the afternoon became only
skir1nish by o'clock p. N
Thousands OF relatives and syrnpa-
thiZers with the strikers and hundreds
of curious flockei to the Carnegie plant,
great struggle. and centered their optics
on the two white barges- hugging the
steep banks which sheltered the hated
Piakertons
Fear of the bullets had kept them
back since the fight of the early morn
ing, and even now they slipped from
one point Of vantage to another. duck
ing their heads at every stir OF the wind,
fearing a stray shot
The PinkertOnS were very much hors
de combat. and their warning became
purely passive. Three times they ran
up the white flag OF truce, but were
answered with derisive cheers and
more ofsensiveness The strikers had
the cannon which they tried to train on
the boats but each shot flew wide of the
mark
Finally the cannon burst and then
they resorted 70 dynamite. Great
the most of which only splaShed the
water. Occasionally It struck The roof
but exploded upward and only left
white wreath of smoke One lucky
shot struck the stern of the bar-es and
made gaping opening which served IS
an objective point for future throws,
but always missed Other shots ripped
great sections off the oaken deck
Previous 70 this they had tried to fro
the boats b. pouring oil on the water
and ignitinr it. but after wasting q bout
half q tank they gave this up as futile.
They took long section of hose and
tried 70 pipe the Carnegie company's
gas TO the boats 20 blow up the COM
pany's protectors. Time and again they
tried it, each proving a failure, while
the spectators and strikers awaited the
result with bated breath.
All knew that II meant death to the
deputies. II not blown up or burned
10 death they would be shot down like
dogs From behind improvised breast
works of abandoned machinery. build
ings. scrap iron, etc, sharpshooters
We're ready 70 NOW them down while
men with revolvers were ready TO rake
them if 1t became a fight az short range.
At even a slight hope of swimming
., Il
ready 10 pick them up. Meantime the
Pinkertons were huddled uader deck,
dragging in their dead and caring for
the wounded. awaiting what seemed
their certain doom. as all overtures of
surrender had been refused. They
dared not act on the defensive. as that
would have brought the wild crowd Of
men fighting for the bread and butter
of their wives and children thirsting for
revenge for the murder of their breth-
ren down upon them
The give no quarter: we will give
none" was grinly passed from lip 70
lip.
just then there was shout and down
the Pemickev trestle there marched
LOCO brawny sons OF toll. waving at
their head their country's flag. They
were vorkmen from the Jones * Laugh
lin mill coming to tender sympathy and
encouragement TO their locked out
brethren
At this juucture the giant form of
William Weyhe, the ex-president OF the
Am2lgauated association. doomed in
view He was accompanied by Presi-
dent Garland and Vice President Nc
Every. Weyhe came with truce prop
Csicion from Sheriff NcCleary. He Of
fered 20 send boat and tow the barges
away if the men would stop firing.
For once Weyhe failed 20 influence the
men and they angrily renewed HOSTILE
ties. Finally they agreed TO accept the
proposition Il the Pinkertons would
give Up their guns and ammu-
milton. After 2 conference with
the Other a2al-aMated leaders.
President Werhe left for Pittsburgh 10
again confer Nth the sheriff. Bat his
attempts 20 bring about Z peaceful
climax were unnecessary. At $50.
after being penned ~ like sheep and
undergoing fire since morning. the Pink
e-to-s again. Tor the fourth time, ran
ID the white Tag This tine cooler
counsel prevailed. The Pinkertons
were marched of the boat 10 the rink
AM locked mp.
When the defeated Piakertons sur
rendered the leaders Of The workme1
board the blrCes- In this they con-
tracted for more than they could fulfill,
50- 10 sooner had the detectives reached
thc river banks tina the barges were
charged on By crowd Of men. women
and children. Despite the efforts OF
the cool headed leaders 70 keep their
promise and their protests against pill
IaCe and destruction. the mob rapidly
took possession OF all on board.
During the looting OF the boats, and
in rhe confusion. TWO men accidentally
shot themselves, one fatally. When the
crowd had searched out every article
I value. kept what they could use and
destroyed what they could not, and af:
ter surveying the late man of war of
their enemies and noting every device
for defense and otfense. they slowly be-
gan 70 disperse. After time and when
bat few stra ggiers remained on board,
the retreat Of the rear guard was
fastened by the cry Of Fire" Some
one IN that mob had set fire to the
model barges. and they were in flames
They were totally destroyed.
An Angry Mob.
HOMESTEAD. Pa. July when an
inspection of the boat was made il was
found that at least seven Of the Piuker-