The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-07-17

Memphis. July 16.-special to the
Commercial-Appeal from Birmingham,
Ala. says:
A fierce battle occurred, this after
noon at $3.50 o'clock at No. mine at
Pratts. between mobs of striking min
ers and deputies, in which six men were
killed and nearly a score wounded.
The full list of dead and MANNED can
not be secured tonight, as the bodies
We're carried off quickly after the fight
occurred.
This morning a mass meeting of
striking miners was held on the creek
near the Pratt mines. and it was de-
cided that the law be taken into their
own hands and that they would kill or
be killed.
About 4:S0 O'Clock, the time when the
employees on the mines quit work and
come out Of the mines. a mob of men
was secreted in the woods near by.
As the negroes would come out one by
one shot would be sent at them and
they would drop to the ground either
fatally wounded or dead. After the
third negro had fallen, the deputies
opened fire at the mob and a fierce
battle took place.
b. w. Tierce, the commander of the
deputies, fell 20 the ground. A Win
chester BAH had pierced his body just
above the heart.
Almost ct the same instant one of the
strikers was seen to fall, but he arose
again to his knees and taking aim with
his Winchester fired tour times at the
deputies.
The deputies kept reloading their
guns and firing and the mob began dis
persing The deputies then made a
tour around the wounded striker, who
was still firing and after a time they
succeeded in silencing his gun. He
proved to be a Fenchman.
Another section of the mob made an
attack On a train, which was carrying
the negroes from mine No. to their
homes. There were several guards on
the engine and the attack was answer
ga with a fusillade of bullets. The first
shot from the strikers went through
the cab window Of the engine and just
missed killing the engineer and j. j.
More. the Jperintendent at the mines.
Telegram were sent to the town in
haste for help nd Sheriff Morrow sum-
moned twenty-five deputies.
Governor zones, who is still in the
city, has summoned the Birmingham
battalion of state troops.
At noon today the second regiment
was relieved from duty.
The East Lake company Is stilL-in
camp, guarding the tents, and they
were marched TO a train and hastily
carried to Pratt's with the deputies.
The governor ordered the Second reg
iInent into camp and came back and
closed ali the saloons in the county.
Out al Pratt's posses were hastily
formed ana the woods were secured
for miles and miles, but miners had
made good their escape.
The work of hunting up the dead and
wounded then began.
The names of the negroes are not
learned. The Frenchman's name was
Juan Jafler.
George Campbell (colored), had his
leg broken and a bullet went through
his chin. He says that the strikers
came on him after ne was down and
kicked him and fired another shot into
his nose. The negroes are terror-strick-
en- and are running wild. The streets
about town are crowded with people
and all sorts Of rumors are flying
about.
A courier has just returned from the
scene and everything is well guarded
there is another attack should besmade
The bodies of the two whites and rne
of the negroes have just been brought
to the city and the undertaker,s shops
for blocks are crowded with a surging
mass OF humanity. The Third regiment
of the state troops has been ordered
into camp here and by morning more
than 500 soldiers will be on the scene
Report just comes that q dead negro
was found one mile from the scene of
the battle on the Kansas City tracks.