The record-union., 1894-07-09
SCENES ON THE FOURTH.
Graphic Description of Some Exciting
Events.
A staff oficer, Who Saw 1t All, Tells
What Took Place at
the Depot.

written for the REcoRD-UNIoN By a member
of General Sheehan's staff.l
The 9TH of July was memorable day
in the history of the city and in the his
tory of the present great railway strike
a day that opened full of sunshine and
gladness for thousands, and day that
might have ended in sorrow and misery
for untold numbers; that might have
ended in bloodshed. carnage and serious
loss OF life and property.
Shortly after a. NJ. the San Francisco
troops came marching 500 strong toward
the Armory in splendid shape. The
sight of the troops ready for action gave
hope and courage to the railroad COM
pany's representatives and the law
officers, while it made the strikers and
their friends feel that their fight might
now become hopeless one. The senti-
ment. so far as could be learned, prevail
ing among them seemed to be that if the
worst came to the worst, the railroad
company might send out trains so long as
tie troops were retained IN Sacramento,
which at best could be for but limited
time. The troops dismissed, the hostlil-
ties would be renewed, and the Govern
ment would find itself obliged to con-
stantly keep an army OF troops here for
an indefinite period.
1t was almost noon before the 800 or
more out of town troops were fed IN the
Armory on bread, butter and coffee.
Meanwhile it was learned that the men,
bers of Co. A, under command OF Captain
Lloyd, company whose history dates
back to 1855, and which has had among
its members such men as Z. Z. hunting
ton, L. L. Baker, of Baker & Hamilton,
and others who have since acquired fame,
wealth or station; it was learned that this
historic and once famous company was
now disaffected, and that the mem berS
had frankly stated that while they were
ready to turn out if ordered TO do so and
to do any sort of guard duty, they did not
see their way clear to obey an order to
fire upon the strikers should 1t become
necessary for such order to be given; this
from the fact that many of them were
members of the American Hallway
Union, and all of them were synpathi-
Zers with the strikers.
General Sheehan upon learning this
held a consultation with Generals Dimond
and Allen, and it was decided to order the
mon to give up their arms, take off their
uniforms and consider themselves sus-
pended until such time as the facts In the
case could be placed before the Governor
for action.
By IL O'Clock the remaining troops
stood in line, headed by General Sheehan
and staff, followed by the Sacramento
troops, and the order was finally given to
march.
1t was fully expected that should any
attempt be made on the part of the rail-
road company to send out trains with
Pullmans attached, under military pro-
lection, trouble from the strikers might
be looked tor. But no one anticipated
that any attempt on the part OF the mill
tary to peaceably take possession of the
railway depot and to place guards about
the shops would be interfered with on
the part of the strikers.
An unexpected contingency therefore
presented itself when the head of the line,
on reaching the south entrance of the
depot, found itself facing a solid body of
determined strikers, who had quickly
nassed themselves directly in front of
the troops and between two lines of cars,
some fifteen feet apart.
A vast multitude OF people had congre-
gated in and about the depot. Thousands
OF men, women and children, most of
them in holiday attire, had gathered
from all quarters of the city to see the re-
ception to be given to the military by the
strikers, who had held undisputed pos
session of the depot for several days past.
The tops OF the cars were covered by
men and boys, and sea OF heads poked
out of the windows of the cars that had
been taken possession of by the strikers,
who used them for sleeping quarters and
for headquarters.
Finding the entrance to the depot COM
pletelv blocked and noting that the other
end of the depot was open and unob
structed General Sheehan whispered to
Major Douglas, member of his staff, to
Immediately report the situation to Cen
eral Dickinson, commanding the Second
Brigade, stationed in the rear of the col
umn, and to suggest TO him that detach-
ment be promptly detailed to make
flank movement by marching around the
south side of the depot and entering it on
the east end. Major Douglas Immediately
forced himself through the dense crowd
surrounding the troops, and finding Gen
eral Dickinson, conveyed to him the
message of General Sheehan. Major
Douglas was referred by General Dickin-
son to Major-General Dimond, who was
then in consultation with the United
States Marshal, Barry Baldwin, at the Of
fee of the railroad superintendent, Col
onel Wright.
Hurrying to the railway Office General
Dimond was made aware by Major Doug
las of the situation, and of the suggestion
of General Sheehan, which seemed to
meet with his entire approval
Summoning to his side his Chief-of-
Staff, Colonel Hooper, he requested him,
in the presence and hearing of Major
Douglas, to instruct General Dickinson
to carry out the suggestion OF General
Sheehan, and to detail body of his men
10 pass around the depot and enter it
from the other end.
Meanwhile General Sheehan and sew
eral OF his staff stood fast and endeavored
to persuade the crowd to give way and
permit the troops to pass.
1t proved to be one of the most remark
able mobs that military body was ever
called upon to face.
The strikers were thoroughly good
natured and knew either in person or by
name nearly every officer and soldier in
the front ranks. Unlike most mobs who
usually resort to insult and TO jeers and
who take a delight in annoying the
soldiery by offensive remarks and not
unfreQueutiy by brick bats, this mob
retained its self-control and displayed the
fullest restraint over few hotheads who
seemed bent on precipitating tronble. 1t
was soon made evident that it was the
determination OF the strikers to abstain
from the slightest act of violence and to
give the soldiery no pretext to use force
other than the fact of their obstructing
the way.
''COme over to u.s. cried out one of
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