New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-10
MANY STRIKERS KILLED.
BLOODY WORK ON THE CHICAGO DRAINAGE
CANAL.
SEVERAL MEN SHOT DEAD AND SCORE Or
MORE woUNDED-GovERNOR ALTGE.D
NAY CALL OUT TIE MILITIA.

MORE wOUNDED-GOVERNOR ALTGELD
NAY CALL OUT THE MILITIA
Chicago, June "a battle took place this after
noon between strikers and employees of the con-
tractors on the Drainage Canal in which several
men were killed The fight took place at Romeo,
the strikers coming down from Lcmont and Others
coming from the north, being divided into two
suuads Three of the killed are in Will
county. two of them in the Illinois anl Michigan
Canal, one is lying the towpath and two others
are living iE the bushes, Jus: across :hc line in
Cook County. Four of those who wounded
will probably die. 1t is impossible to learn the
names Of those killed. The list of wounGed j.
as follows = Michael Micholib. bullet through
thigh: Frank Palski. two bullet wounds and ter
ribly dubbed: Lorcnz Levandoski. wrist shat
tered by d bullet Ludwig X. Ruga. shot through
abdomen-wl die Anton Vescosk. several
wounds in head and clubbcd: Thomas Merclski,
bu;lct through the lungs-wl die: Michael
Dryer. bullet through lower lobe of livcr-will
die: John Zwoiatonski, bullet through thigh
bone-will lose leg: Michael ,Josloski. bullet in
lungs-s dying: Frank Smith, ear shot of Severn
Petersen shot in several places and clubbed. There
are six or eight others who are wounded, but
their injuries not of a serious nature. All
of the wounded live in LemOnt. where they
were taken for treatment.
According to the stories told by the strikers they
were in no wise responsible for the carnage.
Those from Lemont and those from the camps
north of Romeo were to hold meeting AT Romeo
to discuss the situation. They claim they were
unarmed ard were attacked without provocation
OF the men employed on the drainage canal. about
100 negroes refused to Join the strikers This
morning they armed with shotguns. Winches-
ters and revolvcrS and told TO protect themselves
Lookouts with field glasses were stationed in towers
TO give warning Of the approach Of the strikers.
When tn" party from the north came in sight about
noon they say they met with fusilado from
the men al work. They deny firing a shot or
making any hostile demonstration. At the first
fire they started to run. The negroes gave pur-
suit and seventeen Of tho strikers were captured
and imprisoned in box car in which they wcr'
aftcrward conveyed TO Joliet When the party
from Lcmon' approached the camp from the south,
an hour later. the loGliouts gave notice 10 the
negroes. who Were placed by tho men in charge AT
various coigns of vantage. on the SUBMITS Of the
huge piles Of rock which surround tho camp.
The strikers approached unconscious of tho
reception in store for them. When about 800
feet from the camp a whistle was sounded. This
was the signal for IN" negroes 10 fire. and in
stantly 100 rifles belched forth their death
dealing missiles into the ranks Of the strikers
Many fell at the first fire. while those unn
iurrd started 10 fee The negroes gave pursuit,
firing as they ran, bringing down hapless striker
every few rods For "A mile and a half the chase
was kept up. marking the road for this distanc"
with trail of blood. Two Of the wounded
strikers wcrn seen 10 fall into the canal. The
others who were killed outright died where they
fell in the roadway While the battle was in
progress Ludwig Kruger section man employed
on the Santa Fe Railroad. mistaken for a
striker and shot through the abdomen.
The first news Of the battle and its attendant
fatalities which contained any definite informd
ton reached the city about o'clock this az
tcrnoon. IL was in the nature Of a telegram
TO President Wcn'cr. Of the Drainage Goaid,
and was delivered to him at a conference OF
the situation. which being held in the Drain
ace Board rooms In addition 10 number of
contractors who were present, several quarrym"n
were at the meeting. together with Sheriff Gil
bert Of Cook County: Sheriff Sharp. of Dn Page
County and Sheriff IIcnneby. OF Will County.
Fer nearly two houis the meeting had been
discussing the question Of protection through the
slerns of these counties Sheriff Gilbert sai1 that
he did not see how he could possibly give the
proper help. and that he would at ono" call
upon Governor Altgcld for aid.
Springfield, H., June 9.-Ihc information re-
cplNcd ny inc NON'1nOr ana olH'T Did' oH~i"i'
is that the laborors at the stone quarrieS in I"e-
mont and Romeo still in state Of confusion
and riot and have made dcspcrat" efforts to-day
10 compel the workers engaged in the drainage
canal TO go ont with them and make the strike
general all along that section The men on the
canal have steadily refused to do this and in CON
sequence thereof desperate riot is in progress
In response teearams received from the shcrii's
of (iOok and Will counties asking for troops,
Governor Altgeld tonight wired the following:
Thomas Kelly, Sheriff Will County, Joliet
have just received telegram signed BY yourself
and two other Sherfs calling for troops. What
is total number Of deputy sherifs that YOU have
sworn in to protect life and property and preserve
peace in your county and also in each of the other
two counties? Copies of dispatch received here
Indicate that the officers have been masters Of
the situation Nobody has been hurt. except
strikers. several of whom have been killed and
large number wounded. If this is so, why now
call for troops, and if additional help i, needed
why not swear in more deputy sheriff.? Answer
at once"
The same telegram was also sent to J. II. Gil
bert, Sheriff of Cook County.
At IL :3G o'clock Governor Atgcld, fearing a
further outbreak at Lemont, ordered Adjutant.
Genera, Olcndorh 10 go at once 10 the scene OF
action, and tclesrams were sent calling upon tIe
I'd and I'D regiments 10 90 AT once TO Icmont
and Joliet and he there by daylight Tomorrow
morning Adjutant- General Orcndorff started
on the midnight train on the Chicago and Alton
Railroad for Jemont, and will arrive there about
q o'clock in the morning, and will remain upon
the ground until peace and quiet are restored
among the strikers.
THE LAUNCH or TIE MASSACHUSETTS,.
Washington June D.-Thc President will not be
nrcsent at tho launch of the battle ship Massachusetts