The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-06
review OF The DAY.
Incidents of the Big Strike Enacted in
and Near Chicago.


CHICAGO, July 5-Wild scenes were
enacted on u stretch Of railroad terri
tory occupied by the tracks Of the Lake
Shore and Rock Island, and running
south for some three miles from the
board Of trade structure in the heart
OF the business district. Within this
district, hardly more than a block in
width. and fringed on either aide with
tenements or the humble hom-s of rail-
road men and other wage workers, q
mob that aggregated not less than 25,
900 men, women and children, had
complete control. Nearly score of
cars We're overturned on the main
tracks, others were fred. switches were
unlocked and rendered useless. regular
troops were jeered and police hooted at
and dared to do their best, or worst.
The riotous demonstrations began
just before noon at Thirtieth street
and the Lake Shore tracks. Word
came to a mob that had gathered there
that with the aid of the cavalry and
deputy marshals, heavily-loaded
cattle train for the New York
Central road had been moved
out Of the yards and was on its
way over the Transit line. With
yell that was heard blocks away. the
mob at this time about 2, 900 strong,
moved west to where several empty
freight cars stood on the main track.
There wos rush for the freight cars
and in the twiukling of an eye two OF
them had been turned completely over,
trucks upwards. and effectually block
ing the track over which the approach
ing cattle train was making Its way.
MANY CARS OVERTURNED.
The mob retraced its steps eastward
to the tracks of the Rock Island aud
Lake Shore. Here it proceeded to
oNsrturn cars by the wholesale. Two
were placed across the crossing of the
belt line in order to rivet the obstruc-
ton to the cattle train in the event Of
the blockade farther west being raised.
Then other cars were turned over on
the Lake Shore and Rock Island tracks
at the rate Of two block for nearly q
mile southwark, while the mob hooted
aud yelled and cheered the crash made
by each car as it turned somsrsault
At Fortieth street, shortly after
noon, one Of the string Of freight cars
was fired.
Fuel was added to the strikers fury
about 2 o'clock, when three Rock
Island trains, one bringing the troops
and deputy marshals from Blue Island,
and the others day and Pullman COACH
es filed with through passengers,
were seen in the distance. No OBJ
struction on the main track was en-
eountered south of Thirty ninth street,
and here the TO rward train came to a
full stop, Half a block ahead two
empty freigats were lying across
the track. The passengers of the
trains i" the rear were advis.
ed of tine situation and with one accord
they concluded to disembark there and
trust to to the cable cars to reach their
destination. In the meantime the
regular troops, comprising companies
Cand d of the Thir tesnth infantry
under the respective commands oil
Captains Corrnd ana Cornish, had left
the first train and were drawn up on
either side of the cara The mob,
which by this tins had gotten itself
out Of the fences, greeted the troops
with stolil silrnce
RAILROAD OFFICIALS WORK.
Telegrams were sont to the yards for
a wrecking crew. but the reply came
back that not a man could be had for
love or money, and so tho group OF Of
ticials that hGd met the train at thi.
point. and which included General Su-
perlntendent DunIop, Vice President
Purdy and Superintendent Of Termin.
als Hubbell of the Rock Island
Division superintendent New, o.
the Lake Shore, and severa
attaches Of the Law and
other departments OF the same road
put themselves TO the task Of raising
the blockade. 1t was hard work, es-
pecially for men not accustomsi to la
borous undertakings. and 1t cid not i'm.
prove their tempers to have the on
looking mob boot and j-er wheneve,
they made an effort that failed to pal
out.
Just as the first Car had been cleared
off the tracks, II mighty shout was
heard few blocks north, and i'm
mediately after rumbling, hollow
noise told the story that more obstruc-
tions had cen placed in the passage o
the trains. AT the request Of Marha
Donnelly. Captain Conrad startsd of
at double quick time at the head ol
Company Q. but by the time tht
troops reached the scene. the mob hsd
cleared itself from the tracks to the
roadway on either side, and the soldiers
were treated to round Of ironical ap.
plause by way Of recognition for theil
trot. II was nearly an hour before the
main track had been cleared Of til,
overturned cars, and then the thre
trains proceeded until Thirty fifth
street was reached. Here 1t was tt,
same story over again.