The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-06-06
DESPERATE STRIKERS.
MoKeesport in the Hands of a
Lawless Mob.
"soAB" WORKERS BADLY BEATEN.
The Strikers Finally Take Possession of
the Mills of the National Tube Company
and Put tho workmon to Flight After
Clubbing Them.

Nhe strlkers Finally Take Possession of
the Mills of the National Tube Company
and Put tho workmen to Flight After
Clubbing Them.
McKEEsPoRT, Pa, June 6-Never has
this city witnessed such scenes of defiance
OF law and the inability of the authorities
70 cope with law breakers as was enacted
here yesterday and last night. The trouble
grows out of the strike at the tube works,
and the strikers outwittcd the police,
broke into the mill yards and made syste-
matte tours of the works and their sur
roundings.
The plant resumed in two departments
yesterday, and about twenty-five men
went to work. The news quickly spread.
aud by noon mob of nearly 10000 had
assembled about the gates, awaiting The
appearance of the workmen. Most of The
men remained inside, but few attempted
TO go to their homes, and were caught by
the mob and terribly beaten. They were
finally rescued, however, by the police
and taken back into the enclosure
The mob then dispersed in part, but to-
wards evening reasscmbled and by
O'Clock probably 5000 men were masscd
In front OF the entrance on Fourth avenue,
and 1t was said that fully thrce-fourths of
the number were foreigners. They were
disappointed. At o'clock the day turn
did not come out and the night turn did
not go in. There was great load of pro-
visions taken into the mill by the COM
pany, and lone Slav workman came out
the back way and tried to make sneak
To escape. He WAS seen, and section of
the surglng mob broke of the main body
and fell upon his trail
The rnce covered several squares before
he turned at bay. lie was unable to run
any further, and drew knife and faced
the yelling pursuers. The foremost pur-
suers paused moment, but the rush
came up behind them and dozen men
with clubs sprang upon the painting fugi-
tive. He was down in an instant, but Of
nicer Singer was close on the heels of the
leaders of the race, and he jumped into
tbe middle of the melee. The officer and
the fugitive We're badly beaten, but help
came and they We're rescued.
AT the mills the mob surged around the
entrances until O'Clock last evening,
when rush was made and they broke
into the yards. The men inside were
panic stricken, and 1t was the rule of
every man for himself. The mob swarmed
into the inclosure, looking for the hated
non-unionists. Hundreds of them were
equipped with clubs or weapons of some
description. Then began wild chase
and pursuit OF the hunted workmen in
side. Several welders took to the river,
and made their escape to Mifllin township,
pursued by crowds of strikers aud finally
escaped into the darkness towards Du-
qucsne.
The strikers were in complete possession
of the place. They ranged over the grounds
and finally routed out ten hidden work.
men. The poor follows made a dash for
freedom, but were cut of aud surrounded
The mob set upon them in swnrms and
beat them shockingly. In the crush TO
get at the PROSTATE men one fellow was
badly stabbed 1t was the Homestead
Eight over again, with variations
One man was found during the evening
still in hiding in the mill yard, which the
strikers were patroling, in complete mas
tery of the works. The fellow made II
dash for the street and got outside the
yards. He was pushed close by the pur-
suers, and in desperation spraug into n
passing electric car The trolley pole was
pulled down and the car stalled Then
the fugitive was dragged OIL the car and
beaten and kicked into inscnsibility, An
other stowaway was found, his clothing
stripped off, and he was kicked aud beaten
until he was unconscious. Then the as
sAilants left him for time, and he man
aged to crawl into u store on Fifth avenue.
""s W heip HlluStlL anu Is SIlll
there
So far as the authorities are able to
learn nobody has been killed outright.
but tho injuries of some of the victims of
the mobs fury will probably die. Up to
this hour the strikers have rcfrained from
destroying the machinery in the mills As
midnight approached the crowds de
creased and comparative quiet now reigns,
but the strikers are virtually in posses
sion of the town.
The situation is quiet, but critical In
obedience to the mayors proclamation tho
strikers have dispersed. They are only
under cover, however, and have every
avenue of approach to the city under sur.
yeillance. Pickcts have been posted east
and west, and men are strung along the
river to give the alarm, as was done Mt
Homestead At least thirty-five men were
Injured in the riot last night, two of
whom, the physicians say, will die