Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-11
- ~ - a. IN WAGFs.

a 8a--6f tue moEnifig CT
yStrike began. Before mid
nigRCtSs control OF the Baltimore and
Ohio property, then at the zenith Of its
importance. had virtually passed into
the hands Of the strikers. Traffic was
at staDdstill, and the conditions were
so menacing that Vice President King
called upon Governor Matthews, Of
West Virginia, TO furnish troops. The
Governor responded promptly, aud
there was a conflict at Martinsourg be-
tween the strikers aud militiamen. VIII
liam VandegrlI, a striker, attempted 10
sidetraCk a train which was under
guard Of the militia. A militiaman
replaced the switch Vandergriff re-
sented this action, and drawing q pis-
tOl, fred two shots at the militiaman,
one of which took effect. The militia
man returned the fire, and regular
fusilade ynsued. The strikers rallied
TO the support OF Vandergrif and over
came the militia. Martinsburg and
the Baltimore aud Ohio property we're
completely under control OF the Strik-
ers.
In the alarm occasioned by the en-
counter the Governor OF West Virginia
found himself entirely unable 10 meet
the elements Of disorder in his State.
He then appealed to President Hayes
''ior the assistance OF the United
States military 70 protect the
laW-abidng people OF the State
against domestic violence, and to main
tain the supremacy Of the law" PreSi-
dent Hayes, after conference with the
acting Secretary OF War, Mr.. Seward,
issued the evening OF July is procla-
nation commanding the strikers in the
name Of the United States 70 disperse.
Orders were issued from the War De-
partment TO General French az the
Washington Arsenal requiring him TO
take all Of his available troops TO Mar
tinsburg; and 10 General Barry, ia COM
mand at Fort McHenry, 70 detach all
available forcee at his command and
join General French.
DISOBEYED PRESIDENT HAYES ORDER.
The strikers paid 10 attention to Pres
ident Hayes orders 10 dispense. On the
contrary, as they grew more numerous
they became more demonStTative and
threatening. The federal troops were
able TO repreSs disorder in their imme-
diate neighbOrhoOd, but could not CON-
pei the men 10 work or restrain disorder
beyond their reach At the end of the
third day OF the strike the strikers were
To virtual possession Of the Baltimore
and Ohio road, and scenes OF violence
bad been enacted not only at Martins
burg, but at Cumberland, Grafton, Par
kersburg and Camden. The State mill
tia was already dispersed or absorbed
by the strikers, and for the first time in
the history OF America the people saw
federal arms invoked 20 suppress a laoor
trouble.
By July goth the strike had extended
IN the Pennsylvania system and along
the Baltimore aud Ohio 10 Chicago.
Baltimore was 10 a strike OF riot. Gov.
ernOr John Lee Carroll, Of Maryland,
bad called out the State militia TO re-
press disorders in the outskirts or the
city. He was speedily compelled TO
withdraw his forces 20 the armO-ies TO
await developments nearer home A
moo beSieged the armorieS aud stoned
the militia as the soldiers entered and
departed. The neighbOrhoOd OF the
Fifth Regiment AvmOry on North How
ard street was thrOnged with riot
ers OF all ages and both sexes. The
women we're especially brutal IN their
tauAts OF the troops. Shots wese fred
into the armory windows. As the day
grew and the shadows heightened the
insurgent forces were swelled by the &C
cessiOn OF tramps, thieves aud jallbrds
attracted by the prospect OF violence
and loot. The riot act was read. but
without effect At dark General Her
bert, In command Of the troops, caused