Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-07-13

their ultimatum. The scale made
sweeping reduction in the wages of
skilled men, and it was officially an
nounced that unless the terms were
complied with before July the places
would be flied by others. This was
followed by 8 peremptory refusal on the
part Of the company to recognize the
AmaIgamated Association of Iron and
Steel Workers or to confer with any COM
mittee of the workmen regarding any
thing but an acceptance of the terms
offered.
The contest was precipitated by the
hanging IN efigy OF IL. c. Frlck, presi-
dent of the company, by the workmen
at Homestead. IN retaliation the COM
pany ordered an immediate shutdown
OF the big works, two days before the
time provided by the contract under
which the men were working. The
employees at once proceeded to organ
Ize for the defensive, and the company
erected high board fence around the
entire works, giving them the appear
ance Of an immense stockade, the sides
being pierced with portfolios.
Yesterday, the Carnegie Company an
n0unced its Intention to make repairs
and the officials asked the sheriff to APP
point deputies to protect their prop
erty. The sheriff sent a small squad Of
men up to the works, but the strikers
assembled IN force and notified them to
get out OF town, as no disorder was in
tended and that no damage would be
done TO any property. They even of
fered to be sworn II as deputies and to
give bonds for the faithful performance
OF their duties as cOnseryatOrs of the
peace. This offer was declined.
The developments to-day showed that
the application for assistance made by
the sheriff was merely for the purpose
OF covering what was intended to be
coup dc main on the part OF the Carnegie
Company IN clandestinelv Introducing
] body Of Pinkerton detectives into the
mill enclosure. The detectives had been
stationed about i've or six miles below
the city, on the Ohio River, and two
model barges had been prepared
for them. The barges were lined
tie inside. while the whole
back deck was protected in a similar
manner. II was the intention that the
men should reach the works about 3
O'Clock this morning, but the guards
who were on duty along the river got
word of the threatened invasion of the
hated PlnkeltOn men and prepared to
receive them. The barges were towed
UP the river by tow boat, but long be-
fore the Pinkerton men reached Home
stead thousands Of strikers had gath
cred on the banks Of the river, ready to
give them warm welcome.
When the boats attempted to land the
workmen broke down the fence sur
rounding the mill, and, entrenching
themselves behind piles of steel, pre-
pared TO resist the landing Of the de-
tectiyes. By O'Clock in the morning
an effort was made to land the detect
ives, but the strikers met them, and
fierce battle was precipitated, both sides
exchanging heavy Yolley of shot.
The detectives We're all armed with
Winchester rifles, but at the point
where the attempt TO land was made
there was steep embankment and
they were compelled to go in single file
and were soon driven back to the
boats. by the steady firing from the
shore. The noise of the battle spread
about the borough like wildfre, and
thousands of men, women and children
thronged the river bank to witness the
light IN progress. The Pinkerton men
We're determined to land, and they
poured yolley after yolley into the
ranks of the strikers, many of whom
We're stricken down by the bullets, some
Of them being fatally injured and Others
killed outright. As the battle pro-
crossed the strikers took position be-
nlnd breastWOrks, hastily constructed
OF steel rails and billets, and from this
place Of safe refuge were able to pick off
the detectives az soon as they appeared
on the deck OF the boats.
In the meantime Capt Heind and
Supt. Kline Of the PinKertons were dis
abled and the fire became SO fierce that
the crew Of the tow-boat hastily cut
loose from the barge and steamed up |
the river, carrying as many of the |
wounded as they could reach to Brad !