Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-05-31

absolutely without provocation that
would warrant the use of deadly
weapons, and that some of the kill
ings were particularly cruel and I'M
justifable, is without question. Theu.
there is equally abundant testimony TO
show that the deputies simply defend
ed themselves, and charged after
rushing assault of the armed and
blood-thirsty mob.
The deputies had specific orders and
it is admitted that the company con
veyed to them directions to shoot to
kill.
EARLIER REPORT.
Uniontown, Pa, May 24.-rhe battle
which has been threatened at the
Sickle Hollow mines of the Washing
ton Coal and Coke company in the
fourth pool for the past three days Oc-
CURED this morning and as a result
at least three strikers are lying dead
and half dozen seriously wounded.
Shortly before midnight last night
1000 strikers assembled at the Sickle
Fayette City, FreepOrt, AllenpOrt and
many other points on the MOnOgahela
river. Some of them were armed, but
the majority were not They went into
camp near the plant where they remain
ed until ) O'clock, when they adjourn
ed to the public road leading to the
works and over which the wOrkmen
tn To no nj
Here they worked line Of defense
to interrupt the wOrkmen and attempt
ed to get them to return home. Ac-
cOrding to the plans they stopped the
first delegation of the miners and, al
ter a little persuasion, induced them to
join the strike.
The company officials say that the
strikers served notices on them that
they expected to assault the works,
and acting ON this information the de-
puties considered this Interference with
the wOrkmen as the beginning of the
assault and for that reason fired on
them.
Last night was one of mortal terror
to the citizens of the Sickle mines.
The strikers kept up the threatening
demonstration and even threatened to
visit the houses of the workmen and
give them their chioce to quit work or
meet death in the presence of their
families
CampfireS were built and scouting
parties were sent to keep close watch
on the plants. The force of the depu-
ties was doubled, all the available
men in the community being sworn in.
In addition, a man drove here at 13O
O'Clock this morning for the sheriff to
go down and take charge of the men
and also take with him more deputies.
The sheriff did not heed the call and
did not go. Deputy Sheriff Richards
had charge of the men and Sheriff
Wilhelm considered him capable.
A battle was narrowly averted at
Fair Chance last night. Sheriff Will
helm sent five men to that place to do
duty as deputies at the works of the
Fair Chance Furnace company. 1t
is the custom Of the strikers to as
semble at the station when a train
comes to see if any new men come.
having no guns, the strikers thought
they were wOrkmen and, surrounding
them, took them to the camp. They
held them prisoners there until the
other deputies charged on the camp
and released them.
Rainey has ordered four gatling guns
for his plant, one arrived today, and
was put in position at once.
The extent Of the daylight battle at
Sickle Hollow is just becoming
known. There has not been so fierce
a conflict in the coke region or river
district since the Inauguration of the
strike. In fact it is the first engage
ment in which both deputies and
strikers were shooting to kill.
Later reports place the number Of
killed at five and the wounded at
eight, and other victims Of the I'M
fortunate affair may be found when
time can be had for a more thorough
1t was not a one-sided
affair as at first reported but was
battle with as many guns on one side
as ON the other, and with as much
firing by the strikers as by the depu-
ties. Among the wounded are three
deputies, while the killed are all
strikers.
When the wOrkmen came to the
strikers in the public roads they were
asked to go home. The workmen were
about to comply with the command
when the deputies rushed into the
midst Of the men, got possession Of
the wOrkmen and marched them to
the pit.
In this part of the performance a
deputy sheriff fired a shot which
opened the battle There was volley
after volley fired by each side at close
,ange. The strikers stood their ground
while their comrades were falling one
oy one, but their ammunition giving
,ut. and it requiring too much time
20 load the shotguns, they were
forced to fee to escape the rain Of
bullets from the fifty Winchesters. It
s said the strikers were advancing
III the line Of deputies when the latter
fred the first shot.