The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-05-18
STRUCK BY STRIKERS.
Lineman Assaulted by Two
of His Brethren While
He Was at Work.
WERE THE AssAULTERs HIREDs
Both Sides Remain Firm and No
Concessions Made-Won't
Re-engage Old Men.

Lin eman Thomas Stewart, in the era-
ploy of the New York and New Jersey
Telephone Company, was set upon az
noon today by three men, presumably
strikers, who broke his jaw, inflicted
several ugly wounds on his head and
otherwise injured him. The assault oc-
CURED at the corner of First and WASH
ington streets. No arrests have as yet
been made by the police.
According SO the statement of General
Superintendent McCuilY, this morning
at seven o'clock when Inspector Leland
was starting out for his days work with
Stewart anu Lineman Garrison. two men
who said they were from Boston, pre- sent
ed themselv es and asked for employment.
The meu W ere referred to Mr.. McCully.
He engaged them, and told them to re-
port to Leland. Leland, accompanied by
one OF the Boston men, went on the Hill
to straighten out some crosses In the
wires which had occurred during the
night. The second man, who gave his
name as Robert Montgomery, was de-
tailed to do duty with Stewart In the
lower section of the city.
DESPERATE FIGHT.
Arriving at Fisk aud Washington
streets, Stewart began preparing to go to
work. Suddenly. in answer to signal
from Montgomery, two men spraug from
behind a fence, and all three men SET
upon Stewart. Stewart as slight man,
bat he made desperate resistance.
The three men failing to oyeFppwer
him, seized Stewards screepers" aud be-
gan bella aDoring him over the head, face
and body.
Stewart was left bleeding aud uucons
scious on the sidewalk, with blood howf
irrr frOr =
ants made good their escape and stole his
creepers and other tools.
Stewart was removed to his home.
Superintendent McCully has demand
ed police protection. and from now until
the trouble is settled uniformed police
men will probably accompany such line-
men as will continue TO work for the
company.
'Such proceedings" said Superintend.
ent McCully, Twill never help the cause
of the men along. believe that the two
men were sent to US to accomplish this
assault or in some way disturb our wires.
am of the opinion that the assault was
committed by strikers"
superintendent McCully made this de-
claration to President Watson OF Local
Union No. 81 of the Brotherhood. Watt
son, replying to Superintendent McCul-
ly:-"You know as well as do that this
assault was not committed by our men.
Every one OIL Iu0 M6u WnO were 5Lu-
ployed by you are at work, and / will be5
any amount that the men who are out on
strike did not have hand IN this affair,
/ am sorry it has occurred, as 1t VIII not
help our cause along.n
WON'T RE-ENGAGE THEM.
Superintendent McCully would listen
to no more. First Vice President Healey,
upon hearing of the assault, said that
Superintendent Leland had said he would
go to - for men before he would re-
engage any of the men who are
now out on strike, The Brotherhood
men believe that the assault
was the outcome of ascheme Of Superin-
tendent Leland's to incur the sympathy
of the company's subscribers who, they
maintain, are complaining OF the
wretched service being provided.
The officials Of the company intimate
that the men were brought here to work
mischief, either from New York or
Brooklyn.