The record-union., 1894-07-14
A Brief but Lively SkirIniSl on
Front Street.
One Man Killed and One Wounded,
But Not Dangerously.
The Soldiers Say They We're Fired On
Two Trains Sent Out East
ward Yesterday.

This community yesterday had another
forcible illustration of the already we'll
established fact that ''all fools are not
yet dead" and of the more important
fact, as well, that there is such thing as
the military arm of tile Government, and
that it can command the respect that is its
due.
For days and days past the people of
this city have been warned by proclama-
sion of the Mayor, the United States Mar
ahal and the Commander of the Federal
troops here, to keep away from railroad
property; to avoid gatherings of men on
the public streets; TO refrain from incen-
diary utterances that might have ten
dency to infiame the passions of excited
men, and, above all things, to avoid any
act Of interference with or opposition to
the soldiers whom the President had
ordered here to protect the United States
Marshal and open up the lines of inter
state commerce.
These warnings have been repeated
over and over again, yet it seems
TO be next TO impossible for men =
and even women-to sufficiently curb
their curiosity as TO remain away from
railroad property and to keep from col
lecting IN crowds along the sentry lines
established by the military.
a desire to satisfy this morbid-it might
properly be called senseless- curiosity
has on several occasions in the last few
days come near precipitating conflicts on
the public streets that could have no
other result than the spilling of blood OF
persons innocent of other wrong-dolng
than disregard of the law that had been
laid down TO them.
People have grown up with exag-
gerated and erroneous views as to what
constitutes their personal liberties, and
many ordinarily intelligent citizens have
been heard to declaim against what they
imagined TO be the uSurpatiOn of mill
tary power. These would be the first
persons to denounce the Government,
however, if when their own lives or
property were imperilled, it failed to give
them the protection that it is now ex-
tending to its officials in the proper dis
charge of their duties and in the promo
ton of peace and quiet.
But for this reckless disregard of the
law referred to, no citizen would ever
suffer the slightest inconvenience at the
hands of the men who risk their lives in
upholding the laws and suppressing law
lessness and attacks upon the Govern
ment.
The fact that couple of men, nom
residents OF the community, were shot
yesterday while either defying or resist
ing the Federal soldiers who were pro-
tecting valuable property. should not
cause any law-akiding citizen to tremble
for his personal safety, nor even his per-
sonal liberty. AIN the good citizen has to
do TO avoid injury or Inconvenience from
this source. is to go about his own busi-
ness-to obey the commands of the
Mayor and stay away from localities
where the soldiers are on duty. Ii all
would do that everything would continue
to go along here as smoothly as if there
had been no strike. 1t is only those who,
from evil or misguided motives, see fit to
disobey the Jaw and endeavor to obstruct
The military officials to whom harm can
come, unless it be few idiots who are
not able to comprehend what either law
or liberty means.
sKIRMIsH ON FRONT STREET.
The incident referred to was brief
skirmish that took place in the railroad
yards yesterday morning between Front
street and the river bank, and in the rear
OF the freight sheds. There were cars
there which contained valuable freight.
and it was desired to remove them, as
well as to clear the blockaded tracks III
that locality. A switch engine and a few
hat-cars containing the men OF Battery
l., Fifth United States Artillery, was
sent down into the yard to do the work.
Captain Roberts and Lieutenant Skerritt
were in command. and they were sup
ported by detachmentS from the marines
and Company L of the Third Infantry
Regiment, Second Brigade Of the State
National Guard.
Front street was soon lined with peo-
ple of all classes, including of course a
predominating element of strikers. Some
of these made themselves very obnoxi-
Gus, and it became necessary to clear the
street, which was done by the soldiers
with their bayonets fixed for business.
While this was going on in front of the
sheds, trouble was brewing in the rear,
where there are a large number of freight
cars. There the troops encountered a
group of men who acted Extensively, and
the order was given to make them prison
ers.
at the first move the soldiers were
greeted with shower of stones, while
some shots were fired at them from be-
meath the freight sheds. Then the
soldiers took hand. They made rush
for the gang and most OF them threw
up their hands and were made prisoners.
A few paid no heed 10 the call of halt
and several shots were fired after them,
resulting in the shooting OF two.
These were taken to the Receiving
Hospital, where their wounds were at
tended to. One gave his name as John
Stewart and the other Frank Buckley.
The former fingered until nearly 6
O'Clock last evening, when he died, and
the Coroner took charge of his remains.
While this shooting was going on
crowds of people ran toward the scene.
and soon the streets in the vicinity were
1hronged Had some rattle-headed or
excited persons fired from one OF the
crowds at any of the soldiers. the latter
would have poured shower of bullets
among them, and many so-cailed '1nno-
cent" persons would have beenikilled.
This is why the statement is repeated
that there are any number OF persons IN
the community who haven't sense
enough to know that they had no busl-
ness there, and that the soldiers duty IS
TO obey orders and when necessary shoot
to kill.
AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
The Police Court was in session when
the fusillade took place, and a general
exodus followed among the spectators.
AS they looked down Front street men
were seen fleeing from the spot, and one
man was lying in the street nearly in
front OF Blacks bakery, little TO the east
of the center of the street.
In a few minutes platoon of soldiers
wheeled into the street. the wounded
man was placed on stretcher and carried
within the lines. Shortly afterward de-
tachment OF marines charged down the
street on the double quick, driving the
spectators before them and hating oppo-
site the strikers headquarters Invested
the vicinity. The stern order. ssGet in
side that doorn drove the spectators at
the station out of sight in twinkling.
AS the troops came down the street their
commander was in front of them. his
sleeves rolled up to the elbow, revolver
in one hand and his sword in the other.
AS they arrived at street they wheeled
and faced the strikers headquarters. and