The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-06-15
THE COAL STRIKE.
Blockade Broken i'm Ohio-Strikers
Taken by Surprise.

Blockade Broken i'm Ohio-Strikers
Taken by Surprise.
MAssILLoN, June IS, 1894 : The coal
blockade of the Cleveland, Lorain and
Wheeling was broken last night without a
blow Eight coal trains under the guard of
State troops, ran the gauntlet without an in
.cident 1t was a complete surprise, as
the trains were not expected to move before
this morning. The general manager gave
out this information for the purpose of de-
ceiving the turbulent spirits who threatened
to interfere with the opening of traffic. The
ruse was successful, as there was not soul
along the tracks, and the trains passed before
the people were aware of their presence.
The coal trains were met at Beach City by
Col Kennan with Companies and d. A
strong militia guard was placed at every
bridge between Beach City and Warwick a
distance of thirty miles, leaving only
sufficient numbers in camp to do guard
duty.
The eight coal trains followed each other.
Colonel kennah was in command and TOOK
his position on the engine of the 1irst tram.
Lieutenant Russell of Company B was in
charge of the guard for this train and
placed four men at the front end and
like number at the rear, all with loaded
guns It was eleven o'clock when the nrst
train reached Warwick and four o'clock this
morning when the last one passed the same
point. The fact that the striking miners
were taken totally by surprise is the
reason assigned for the quiet journey.
Colonel Kennan thinks that the danger will
be when the miners assemble today. II to-
night passes without trouble there will be
none until after the troops leave. A heavy
guard will be maintained for the next "A
hours.
an effort was made to wreck the military
train last night, by placing q tie across the
track The train was backing down the
The speed of the train threw the
tie between the rails the entire train
passing over it safely. The spot chosen for
the derailment was in the cut and on curve.
The coal trains had all passed. so that the
tie was placed on The track for the
purpose of wrecking the soldiers train,
when it went to relieve the guards
at a bridge below Masillon. The Cleveland
Lorain and Wheeling management expect
ed that such methods would be fesorted to,
and ha Sall of its section men patrolling
with lanterns. There are no clues to the
guilty parties. Coal trains are moving
today without the least molestation. Over
4O9 cars of coal has gone north and more IS
coming. 1t is a question whether the stTlk-
ing coal miners have been overawed and
are submitting without resistance, or
whether they were taken by surprise and
will organize for resistance. A meeting
of the miners viii be held today il this vicin-
ity. The result will be watched with great
interest. The military officers are of the
.opinion that when the miners find out that
the Cleveland, Lorain and Wheeling is going
to run coal over its line regularly there will
be trouble. Acting on this theory the guard
was increased at every point.
Having raised the blockade on this end of
the line, Col Kennan is determined that it
shall not be blocked by the destruction of a
bridge or a trestle in his territory. He has
taken every precaWlon to prevent the de-
struction Of any part of the railroad
company's prop6 ". Last night was the
most quiet one sir ce the troops entered camp.
There was no firing on the pickets, and the
distant firing Of pistols and shotguns was not
heard at any point. The night was without
incident with the exception of the attempt to
itcll 10 train