The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-06-06
DESPERATE STRIKERS.
MoKeespOrt in the Hands Of a
Lawless Mob,
"s0AB" WORKERS BADLY BEATEN.

tho Mills Of the National Tube Company
and Put the 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
TO cope with law breakers as was enacted
here yesterday and last night. The trouble
grows out Of the strike Mt the tube works,
and the strikers outwitted 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,
and 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
10 go TO their homes, and were caught by
the mob and terribly beaten. They were
finally rescued, however, by the<1police
and taken back into the enclosures,
The mob then dispersed in part, ,,6ht to-
wards evening reassembled and by 6
o'clock probably 5000 men were massed
in front of the entrance on Fourth avenue
and it was said that fully three-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 a sneak
to escape. He was seen, and a section of
the surging mob broke off the main body
and fell upon his trail.
The race covered several squares before
he turned at bay. He 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
ficer Singer was close on the heels of the
leaders of the race, and he jumped into
the middle of the melee. The officer and
the fugitive were badly beaten, but help
came and they were rescued.
At the mills the mob surged around the
entrances until o'clock last evening,
when a rush was made and they broke
into the yards The men inside were
panic stricken, and it was the rule Of
every man for himself The mob swarmed
into the inclosure, looking for the hated
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 Mitilin township,
pursued by crowds of strikers aud finally
escaped into the darkness towards Du.
quesne.
The strikers were in complete possession
of the place. They ranged over the grounds
and finally routed out ten hidden work
men. The poor fellows made = lash tor
freedom, but were cut off and surrounded.
The mob set upon them tn swarms and
beat them shockingly. In the crush 20
get at the PROSTATE men one fellow was
| badly stabbed, IL was the Homestead
| tight over again, with variations
One man was found during the evening
still in hiding in the mill yard. which .hs
strikers were patroling, in complete mas,
terry of the works. The fellow made !
dash for the street and got outside th q
| yards. He was pushed close by the pur.
suers, and in desperation spraug iuto =
| passing electric car. The trolley pole was
| pulled down and ths car stalled Theu
the fugitive was dragged off the car and
beaten and kicked into insensibility An
other stowaway was found, his clothing
stripped of, and he was kicked and beaten
until he was unconscious. Then the as
sailants left him for time. and he man.
aged to crawl into store on Fifth avenue
He was unable to help himself and is still
there.
So far as the authorities are able tc
learn nobody has been killed outright
but the injuries of some of the victims Of
the mob's fury will probably die. Up tC
this hour the strikers have refrained 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. IL
obedience to the mayors proclamation th'
strikers have dispersed. They are only
under cover, however, and have every
avenue Of approach to the city under sur
veillance. Pickets have been posted east
and west and men are strung along tn,
river to give the alarm, as was done a
Homestead. At least thirty-five men wer
injured in the riot last night, two o
whom, the physicians say, will die.