Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-22
A BL 00DY RIOT.
A Disastrous Row Over Railroad
Tracks at Gilberton.
One HOTHEAD STARTED 1T ALL.
Two Were Killed and Several
Badly Injured.
QUIET RESTORED TO-DAY.
THE CITIZENS DEFIED
BY the Representatives Of an Electric
Railroad Corporation.

MAHANOY CITY. Pa. Aug "A ter
rible battle occurred at Gilberton. near
this place. this morning. Last night the citi-
zens Of Gilberton tore up the tracks OF the
Schuykill Traction Company because that
company failed TO comply with the bor-
ough ordinance. This morning the COM
pany. with a large force Of men. all armed
attempted to relay the tracks under the su-
Peryision Of Assistant Superintendent
which James Parfitt. aged twenty five and
William Hughes, citizens, were killed, and
Evan Davis and Richard Amore, assistant
iously wounded. Will Connor was also shot
In the hand and foot. Others are reported
injured, and the widest excitement pro-
walls.
Details of the Fight.
GlLBERTON. Pa, Aug. 22.-The tearing
up of the Schuylkill Traction Company 5
tracks here last night by the borough off,
cials resulted most disastrously. When the
company officials heard of the action Of the
Gilberton people they Immediately sent 4
force of men to try and effect an aurica n e
settlement. When the break in the road
was reached President r. E. Jones OF the
traction company, with Richari Amour OF
Shenandoah, chief of the companys police.
got off the car and in a few moments had
effected a settlement and the work of tear
ing up tracks was stopped. In the car were
members Of the national guard. who had
with them rifles belonging to the company.
While the railway officials were engaged IN
conversing with the borough officers some
Of the crowd taunted the men on board the
car and called out, Where is the Idrard-
vile militia
Fired Into the Crowd.
man named John Briggs OF Girarfyf1le
stepped out and said: Here We are" ac-
companying his salutation with an oath
and leveiing his rifle fired into the crowd,
killing Richard Paifitt. aged ;wenty-fve
single, a spectator. Chief Amour and Pres
idcnt Jones had settled the trouble and
Briggs shot over AmOur's shoulder This
Immediately enraged the people and stones
were fired, shots from the car became gen
eral and for a while a most terrific battle
ensued Chief Amour tried to subdue the
his men was shot in the breast and may
die. 1t is supposed he was shot by one of
his own men.
The battle ragged for an hour or more.
until the cooler headed people Of Gifberton
prevailed upon the crowd to disuerse. and
the dead and injured We're then looked
after. In addition to Paifitt, Vim. Hughes,
aged nineteen. Of Gilberton, an onlooker,
was shot and instantly killed; Richard Con-
nors was shot in the hand and leg. not
dangerous, Evan David, shot in leg, which
will have to be amputated; James HuIuhan
had his skull fractured by a stone and may
die Briggs, who started the not. was shot
by a companion accidentally, and received
scalp wound, and also wounde.i in his
leg
Taken TO Jail.
When the trouble had quieted down
Briggs escaped. and running toward Ma
hanoy Plane. hid in barn. but was cap
tured and, together with Arthur Wfville
also member of the Girardville militia
was taken 10 the Pottsviile jail. The peo-
PIE about Gilbarton were lnfuriated at the
acton OF the railway men. none Of whom.
thet cain, were officials of the company.
Some were employees. others were outsicsrs
picked Up solely for the purpose Of fighting
This is shown in the fact that rifles were
borrowed from members of the Girardylle
militia.
Amour, when he saw trouble arising
tried his utmost to prevent bloodshed and
Is now sorry he allowed his men 10 be arm
et. had there been no weapons in the
posses hands no trouble would have arisen
Everything Quieted down when the rail-
way company's force was Withdrawn and
OUTSIDE OF an excited popuiace talking over
the disturbance nothing has transpired 10.
cause any repetition of the trouble