The Portland daily press., 1893-10-02
A LABOR RIOT
Results From the Auburn Sho.
Troubles.
ONE MAN SHOT AND ANOTHER
STABBED.

Union Men Attack the Armenians, at Theh
@Boarding House-The Assault is Re
sisted by the Attacked Men-Thei,
Leader Arrested for Acting In Self De
fense.
Auburn September So-The excitement
in the Auburn shoe troubles culmipated
tonight in a serious riot, in which one
man was shot thorugh the shoulder and
another stabbed in the neck. At tbs
Maine Hotel, known as non-union
twelve of whom are ArmenianG Part
of these were around in town Friday
night and the balance today. This eve
ming two of the Armenisns went TO
Lewiston. On their way home they were
chased by a lot of union men and citi-
Zens.
The first encounter was on the bridge
across the river between Lewiston and
Auburn, which ended in the Armenians
firing towards the crowd in the air. This
caused their pursuers to fall back, but
the chase was continued at distance.
The crowd increased as it neared the
boarding house. The Armeniaus went
inside the house and remained about
thirty minutes. During this time the
crowd dared them to come out, drum
ming on the doors, thEswing rocks and
jeering. The men would come out on
the piazza, one or two at time, to meet
the crowd. r.
Several encounters with fists took
place. Finally the Armenians came out
in a hodysand began firing into the crowd
and striking with knives which soon dis
persed the crowd. In this attack car
penter named Fred Harding was cut in
the neck, and another union man was
shot through his shoulder.
The crowd used bricks, clubs and
stones freely, with such effect as 10 cause
the summoning of surgeons to attehd
the Armenians.
After the crowd had Withdrawn under
the fire Of the Armenians, short halt
occurred when a second advance was
made, but the determined front OF the
Armenians prevented a near approach,
and there was no more shooting
The leader of the Armeniaps was
arrested by Constable Rollins. Though
the fellow held q revolver in his hand,
pointed at the officer, he concluded,
however, to surrender and was taken to
the lookup.
Mayor Bolster went to the piazza of55the
Maine Hotel and ordered the crowd TO
disperse and this was done, yet an angry
feeling is evinced apd talk is made of
another attack.
Landlord Dunham of the Maine Hotel,
states that some of his boarders went
over the river and were chased back The
crowd broke down his door, and he tried
to drive them out, but could not and
was helped by the boarders.
Mr.. Harding who was wounded, was
spectator. He is only slightly cut.
No further disturbances have occurred.
Mayor Bolster issued proclamation to-
day, saying that sufficient police force
abiding citizens in the pursuit of their
business. Some shoemakers who arrived
on the afternoon train were followed to
their boarding house with jeers, but no
violence was offered ON either side.
The Cause of the Trouble.
There was much excitement over the
fact that the shoe manufacturers secured
several Italians and Armeni ans. It is
claimed that they are experienced work
men. One manufacturer said: "If our
own help won't come in, we have got to
do the next best thing. They have
driven us to it.n
The men were escorted to and from
work, though no demonstrations were
made until the outbreak. The manu-
facturers claim that the shops are filling
up.
On the other hand the cutters, union
men, claim that there is no break In
their ranks. Other men, prominent in
the unions, say that the rumors Of
break in their ranks on Monday Ia with
out foundation. "Ws have good reasons
to believe, said an official Saturday,
"that mem bers Of the unions are still q
unit on the question of individual con-
tracts.