The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-19
BEATEN BY FIENDS
Savage Poles Objected to
Piece Work.
YHEY WOULD NOT LABOR.
Nor Would They Let Others Toll
in Peace.
DRIVEN OFF BY THE OFFICERS.
Returning in Force They Cut the
Sheriff Nearly to Death With
Their ShOveIs.
ley WOULD NOT LABOR.
OFF BY THE OFFICERS

DETROIT, Mich, April Is. - Wayne
County's Sheriff lies in precarious con-
dition tonight, his body lacerated by the
shovels of infuriated men. Two laborers
are dead and the number of wounded is
not yet definitely known.
These unfortunate conditions are the
result of a conflict which occurred at noon
to-day betw cen some 400 Poles and Sheriff
Collins and a number of his deputies The
riot was brought about by differences OF
opinion over wages to be paid laborers by
the City Water Commission for trenches
for pipe-laying in Crosse Pointe Town
ship, just east of the city limits. Ihe
Commissioners decided TO pay by the cubic
yard, but for the past day or two 800 Poles
had hung about the vicinity, declaring
they would not work nor allow others TO
unless paid 81 so per day.
No outbreak was anticipated, but as a
precaution Sheriff Collins and five depu-
ties went to the scene TO protect those who
wished to work. Work progressed on a
small scale during the morning, but Engl-
neer Williams, becoming alarmed at the
ASPECT of things, consulted some OF the
Commissioners shortly before noon and
was instructed to quit work for the time
being. Before be returned, however,
rioting began. Sheriff Collins and Deputy
Styskal, after telephOning for reinforce
ments, began to address the mob to racify
them. One Of the Poles began an opposi-
tion harangue, and the crowd thereupon
started to annihilate the officers and the
handful of la bOrers at work.
At the advance of the mob the officers
drew revolvers and fired over the strikers
heads, but the mob came on and the next
volley was discharged into the crowd. Then
the officers retreated slowly, firing as they
went. Still the mob followed. one man
dealing the Sheriff vicious blow on the
head with his shovel. The other officers,
the laborers and reporter escaped. all be-
Ing more or less pounded with shOVels.
but the helpless Sheriff was brutally at
tackled. The mob then scattered, leaving
the Sheriff unconscious. Two OF the Poles
were found. John Pielat and a comrade,
name unknown, dead.
Sheriff Collins regained consciousness
shortly after O'Clock. BE had bad cash
on the head, and several cuts aud bruises
about the body and almost bled 10 death
from lacerated leg. His physicians says
tonight that he will probably pull through.
During the afternoon some twenty Poles
were arrested, which intensified the bitter
ness and the situation is being discussed
by crowds of Poles In various parts of the
city. II is Tumored that they will attack
the jail tonight, but this is not believed.
Extra officers are on duty to preserve the
pedce, whatever may happen. Many more
arrests are expected, but it is difficult to
identity the leaders In the riot. The water
company offici will not probably recede
from their position, but work will proceed.
il at all, under strong guard.
Another shooting affray took place this
evening in the rear of the Municipal Court
building. A crowd Of Poles had cOngre-
gated, and Deputy Sheriff Borneman rec
ognized one Of them as one Of the rioters.
He started to arrest him, when some one In
the crowd fired revolver. hitting the Pole
In the leg. At the hospital he gave the
name of Tony Pabowski. Borneman
could not learn who fred the shot, The
completed list Of the dead is:
John Pielat.
An unknown Pole.
The wounded are:
Sheriff Collins, bad scalp weund in back
of head severe wound in leg, caused by a
blow from pickax; two cuts in back, one
in left shoulder; many small bruises and
cuts about the body.
Anthony Gubschawik, shot In right
thigh, at the hospital.
William Burch. policeman, ribs fractured
and bruised on the head.
,Toe Kobaskie. shot in the ribs, will die,
at the hospital.
Levi Cowski, bullet wound In the kn ee,
at the hospital.
John Kopperschmidt. bullet wounds in
the arm and thigh. VIII probably die. at
the hospital.
George Cathey. severe scalp wounds.
two confused wounds In the back and
shoulder.
Michael Kansfski. bullet wounds In jaw
and left breast. Will die.
Andrew Boersig, slightly wounded.
Joseph Kubia. two bullets in the thigh.
- Alfred, slightly hurt.
Unknown Pole, abdomen grazed By a
bullet.
Anton Pawski, shot in the left leg near
the Jail tonight.
Andrew Eski, shot twice In the abdomen
and wounded in the neck.
John Russell Fisher, bruised on back
and shoulder.
William E. Finse. policeman, hurt about
the arms and head
Michael BeTka missing.
Late tonight all is quiet.
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C0DEE AMI