Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-17
FOUGHT A PITCHED BATTLE
Striking Miners Attack Negro Workmen at
the Mines.
When the Smoke Lifted Seven Dead
Bodies Were FOuAd and
Four Wounded. ~

A fierce battle occurred yesterday after
noon at No. 8 mines at Pratt. Ala. between
two mobs Of striking miners and deputies.
Yesterday morning a mass meeting OF
striking miners was held on the creek near
Pratt's, and 1t was decided that the law
would DO taken into their own hands and
they would kill or be killed.
About 430 O'Clock. the time when the en-
ployes Of the mines quit work and come
out Of the Mines mob Of men were Sc
oreted in the woods near by. AS the
negroes would como out one by one. lot
Of shot would 30 sent at him, and they
would drop to the ground either fatally
wounded or dead.
After tho third negro had fallen the dep
uties who had been doing guard duty about
the mines opened fire on the mob and
fierce battle took place. b. w. Tierce, the
commander Of the deputies, soon after the
Iny aloud, x Winchester bali had pierced
bis body Just above the heart, Almost at
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
four times ct the deputies.
and arins and t ass' mob began dispersins,
Hhs dsRa,i:s' shsn msSs tour t around s9,ns
lead. He proved to be q Frenchman.
Another Attack.
The second mob made its attack on q
train " hich was carrying the negroes from
mine No. to their hOmos. There were
several guards on the engine and the attack
was answered 10 forcible terms.
The first rhot from the gtrixers went
through the cab window Of the engine and
Just missed killing J. J. Moors. superinteni-
snt at the mines. and the engineer. In a
short while the mob began giving way, and
they made for Q center point.
kilograms vera sent to town in haste for
help. and Sherift Morrow SUMMONED twenty
five deputies, Governor Jones hastily sum
mope3 the Birmingham battalion Of the
state troops.
At noon the second regiment was relieved
from duty. The Eastlake company was yet
In camp. guarding their tents. and they
were marched to traip and hastily car
ried to Pratts with the deputies. The gov
ernor ordered the second regiment into
camp and closed all the saloons in the
county.
Out at Pratts posses were hastily formed
and the woods were secured for miles and
miles. but the miners had made their es-
cape,
The work Of hunting UP the dead and
wounded was then begun. Ten men were
picked up. and elk are dead. The negroes
are unknown. The Frsnchman's name was
Juan Laf1or.
George Campbell. colored had his leg
broken and a bullet went through his chin.
He says that the strikers came On him af
ter he was down and kicked him and fired
a shot into his nose.
The negroes are terror-stricken and run
ming wild, The streets OF Pratt are border
ed with people and all sorts OF rumors are
flying about. The correspondent just re-
turned from the scene and everything is
well guarded there for another attack,
should one be made.
The bodies Of the two white men and enc
Of the negroes have been brought TO the
city and the undertaking shops for blocks
and blocks are crowded with o surging
mass Of humanity.
The third regiment Of the state troops has
been ordered into camp, and more than 800
soldiers will be at Birmingham.