The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-05-25

UsIoSTowN, Pa, May 24.-At day
break tho battle which has boon threat
enod at the Slicklo Hollow mincs OF the
Washington Coal and Coke Company in
the fourth pool for tho past three days,
occurred, and, rs result at leaat five
strikers are lying doad, and half
dozen arc seriously wounded. Tho
exact number Of killed and wounded
could not ut first be ascertalned, as they
were carried oil the ground ns thoy
were moved down by tho fifty Winches-
tors guarding the plant.
Shortly before midnight last night
1000 strikers assembled at the Sickle
Hollow plants, coming from Lucyvillc,
Fayotte City, Freeport, Allenport and
many other points on tho MonongGhela
river. Some OF them were armed, but
the majority were not. Thoy wont into
camp near tho plant. where they re-
NAMED until o'clock, when they ad.
journed to tho public road leading to
men would have to pass to tho pit.
Here they worked line Of deionso to
interrupt the woskmen and attempted
to get them to return home. According
to tho plans, they stopped the iirst dele
CATION OF minors and after little per-
suasion induced them to join tho strike.
The men turned back, and. about tho
time tlicy were starting back homo with
their dinner buckets, the deputies who
were on guard and Witnesses OF tho
affair were ordered to shoot. They
fred three volleys into the mob at 4
range Of only about fifty yards
LEFT THEIR DEAD.
The report OF the affair given by the
officials OF the company Ia to the effect
that three strikers were picked up dead
in the road after tho shooting and about
q half dozen wounded ones were car
ried away by their comrades. The com :
pany ollicias say that the strikers
served notice on them that thoy eS.
pected to assault the works, and acting
on this information. the deputies con-
sideted this interference with the work
mon as the begi inning OF the assault and
for that reason fired upon them.
Last night was one of mortal terror to
the citizens OF tho Sickle mines. The
strikers kept up the threatening
demonstrations and even Threatened to
visit tho houses OF minera and give
them thoir choice to quit work or meet
death in the presence OF their families.
Camp fires were built and scouting par
ties wero eent to keep close watch on
tho plants, the force OF deputies was
doubled, all the available men in the
community being sworn in. In addi-
ton, d man drove here at 80 o'clock
this morning for the sheriff to 20 down
and take charge Of the men and also to
take with him more deputies. Tho
sheriff did not heed tho call and did
not 20 down. Deputy Sherif Richards
had charge OF the men and Sherif Will
helm conaidored him capable OF holding
the tort.
A LATER REPORT.
There has not been so ferco conflict
in the coke region or river district since
the inauguration OF the strike. In fact
il is tho first engagement in which both
deputies, and strikers wero shooting TO
kill, Later reports have increased the
number OF killed to Eve aud the wound
ed to eight, and other victims of,tho un-
fortunate affair may be found whom Il
thorough investigation is mado. II was
10, n onc.sided affair. as NJ first report
cd, but was battle with as many guns
on one side as on the other and with as
much firing by the strikers as by tho
deputics.
Among the wounded are three depu.
ties, while the killed are all strikers.
When the workmeu came TO the
strikers in the public road hoy were
asked to 20 home. The workmcn were
about 10 comply with the command,
when tho deputies rushed into the
midst OF tho men, got possession OF the
workmen and escorted them TO tho pit.
In this part OF tho performance dep
utv sheriff fred shot which opened
up a battle In which there was volloy
after volley fired by each side at close
range.
Tho strikers stood their ground whilo
thoir comrades were falling, but their
ammunition gave ou: and they were
fOFCeuN 10 SlNS up buu us'' nbu hSo ~
escape tho rain OF bullets from fifty
Winchester rifles.
lis said tho strikcrs were advancing
on the line OF deputies when the latter
fired the first shot. Many who had
guns in their possession were arrested
by tho deputies.
Battle NARROWLY AvERTED.
"A ba,tlo was narrowly avertcd at Fair.
chance last night. Sheriff Wilhelm
sent five men to that place to 90 on
duty as deputies at the works OF tho
Faifchanco Furnace Company. It Is
the custom OF tho strikers to assemble
at the station when passenger train
arrives TO SEQ il auy new men arrive
and to take charge OF them IS soon us
tboy got of the train. When the dopu.
lies cot OF tho train, having no guns,
the s.rikcra thought they wore work
mon and surrounding them, took them
to the camp. They held them prisoners
there until the other deputies charged
on the camp aud put NIL tho strikers to
flight. Thu town was greatly excItod
and the strikers threatened anothcr A.
tack on the deputies and oil citizens
wore taking sides with tho companies