The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-12
A GUARDED TRAIN DITcHEo.
United States Troops Occupy Saera-
mento Depot Unopposed.
strikers Fire on Militia From Ambush
A Train starts for San Francisco,
Escorted by Troops-tt Is Hurled
From q Trestis and the Engineer
and Three Soldiers Slain.

/ ineda aud Acme, carrying the regular
troops. steamed up the river and landed at
/ the \ street levee. They we're met by
several companies of militia, who had
been ordered CO keep the crowd back, fear
/ ing an attack by the strikers and their
sympathizsrs. Acting under instructions
I from Gen. Sheehan, who is in charge of
the militia, the latter reached the water
front early this morning. Whether il was
because the Alameda was such a large
vessel. or that IL was feared an attempt
would be made 10 prevent the landing OF
the troops, the steamer did not reach
here until after daybreak. In order 10
prevent any trouble the $50 militiamen
who are camped at Capitol park were sta
toned on picket duty about the water
front. Shortly after Z O'Clock the regulars
marched toward the depot headquarters,
commanded BY Col. Graham and staff.
The cavalry was in the rear. As the
troops marched up Second street there
was rush of spectators 10 the
depot, but they were quickly dis
persed. The strikers had abandoned
the situation and were nowhere
TO be seen. After the right of the column
Of march had occupied the depot and
| placed sentries around it, the cavalry came
to a halt and dIsmounted. Seven sentries
we're at once detailed to keep the crowd at
a safe distance from the depot The Cat
ling guns were placed at the east end of
the depot near engine !, ,406, the one that
Marshal Baldwin tried TO send out the
other day. The sentries proceeded to
clear a space of about $50 feet in front of
the depot, and the crowd, which was by
no means a large one. fell back promptly
before the cleaning bayonets and business
like air of the sentries. The soldiers did
not appear to be in a hurry TO do any
thing. Their officers did not appear to
realize that they were on what might be =
battle ground. and proposed to meet the
issue in scientific American style. After
brief consultation, Col. Graham aud his
staff started on a accommodating expedition
around the yards and the strikers head
quarters. aud carefully examined every
thing They did not intend. in case OF q
battle. to be hemmed in by the enemy or
leave any avenue OF attack or defense un-
guarded.
After the regulars had marched TO the
depot Gen. Sheehan ordered the First bat
talon, Third infantry, and two companies
of the First infantry. of San Francisco, 10
remain in possession Of the water front
until further orders. Scarcely had the
regulars reached the depot when the mill
tia was fired upon by the strikers. who
were ambushed on the Yolo side of the
river. The militia returned the fire, and
over 90 shots were exchanged. The
strikers abandoned the situation and es-
capped in the heavy brush which lines the
river bank. A Jap boy standing on the
Yolo side ofthe river was slightly wounded
by militiaman's bullet.
Shortly after O'Clock. General Superin-
tendent Fillmore reached the depot in q
hack. He Immediately sent for Col. Gra-
ham. and they were cioseted together for
over an hour When Col. Graham reap
peared he ordered his officers TO drive
every one out of the depot, including
newspaper reporters. Division Superin-
tendent Wright then appeared on the
scene and proceeded. with the aid of
switch engine, to clear the main track.
After this had been done orders were
issued 10 take the Eastern overland. which
has been delayed here since the beginning
of the strike, to San Francisco. Samuel
B. Clarke, one of the oldest engineers in
the employ of the company, took charge
of the engine and a man named Dnekamp,
railroad employe, acted as fireman. Sam
REYNOLDS was conductor. Acting under
instructions from Col. Graham, nineteen
regulars of the Fifth artillery accompanied
the train. As the train pulled out OF the
depot an ominous silence prevailed. The
strikers were evidently not in happy
mood, and frequently hinted that the train
would not reach San Francisco. Such
proved to be the truth.
o. &f faff km
word was received that 1t had been
ditched. Not shot was fired. The strikers
had unspiked rail and covered their das-
tardlv work wfth sa ID. Engineer Clarke,
notwithstanding he was on the alert for
such cowardiy tactics, plunged into the
trap. The engine was overturned and
several cars we're upset Clarke was killed
and Privates Byrne. Lubberding and Clark
met with q similar fate. Private Daam-
ler. who was with the other men in the
engine when IL upset, was seriously in
,ured about the head. Private Ellis was
hunt internally and is Likely to die. The
other soldiers who were hurt are Privates
Dugan, left arm cut, and Wilson. left leg
badly lacerated.
Shortly after the report that the train
had been derailed Division Superintendent
Wright ordered xreeking crew to the
scene. Shortly after 1 O'Clock this after
noon the wounded men we're brought to
this city and Immediately taken 10 the
railroad hospital, where their iniur-
les were dressed By DR.. Huntington.
Many Of the soldiers claim that General
Superintendent Fillmore assured Col. Gra-
ham that the road had been carefully gone
over. and further declared that he knew
that the strikers would not resort TO any
desperate measures - win the strike. IL
wes not until he assured Col. Graham Of
the supposed good condition Of the road
that the latter consented 10 send his men
70 escort the train 20 san Francisco.
Orders we're given this evening 10 ex-
tend the guard lines 70 street, fuliy
block from the depot. This is to prevent
the strikers from getting near the COM
pany's property.
Sheriff 0'Neil arrested 8 d. Wordsn to-
night on suspicion Of being implicated in
the derallment Of the train which resulted
in the death Of three soldiers and tue In
hiring Of several others Woraeu is we'll
known in this city. He has been proml-
nent ia labor circles. and WAS recently
sent 70 the Chicago convention Of rAIlEaT
men. The sheriff has also arrested A. o.
gsreenw aid, William Burt and h. Z. Bod
Der, alleged strikers, for eofnplieisy IN the