The herald., 1894-05-25
DEPUTIES AND STRIKERS
Another Grim Tragedy in
Pennsylvania.
A Bloody Clash of Arms at
Sickle Hollow.
Four Striking Miners Killed and
Many Wounded.
Serious Rioting by Striking Miners at La
Sale, ul-The Militia Ordered
Out-Trouble In Other
Localities.


By the Associated Press
UNIoNrowN. Pa, May 24.-The long
threatened attack by miners on the pits
of the Washington Coal and Coke COM
pany at Sickle hollow, in the fourth
pool district on the Monongshela river,
was made this morning, involving an
other OF the grim tragedies that charac-
terize the irrepressble conflict. The
fight was one OF the tiercsst in the his
tory Of the mining troubles in Western
Pennsylvania and in the section where
it occurred. as we'll as throughout the
whole coke region, the situation is one
of excitement and dread uncertainty.
Tonight four strikers are lying dead and
double that number are badly wounded,
some of them mortsly. Thomas Kenan
of Woods Run 10 the only American
killed in the encounter with the depu-
ties. The other dead men are Slavs.
The wounded men who fell under the
fret volley from the deputies were
taken off the field by the retreatine
strikers, and even the actual number oi
wounded is not known, their friends
having the strongest motives Tor con-
cesling them.
1t is perhaps too soon to place the re-
sponsibility for the killing. In the mass
OF confused and contradictory state
ments, there ia testimony to show
that the strikers, while threatening an
attack had committed no act OF lawless-
ness; that the deputies fred on them
absolutely without provocation that
would warrant the use of deadly weap-
ons, and that the killings were cruel and
unjustifiable. Then there is testimony
to show that the deputies defended
themselves and their charge from the
rushing assault OF an armed and blood.
thirsty mob. The strikers furnished all
the dead men, not deputy being fatally
hurt, and only three of them were
wounded,
The fight occurred at the public road.
way leading to the Sickle hollow
/ pIangs. Tne deputies had specific order
and it is admitted the company had con
veyed to them directions to shoot t.
kill.
Sixty-six strikers were placed unde
arrest and taken back to the company't
ground where they were closely guarded
This evening they were brought here tC
Jail. The situation at the mines tonight
is alarming and more serious trouble is
expected within the next "a hours.
Shortly before midnight 1000 rioters
assent bled at the Sickle Hollow plants
of the Washington company. Some
were armed, but the majority were
not. They went into camp near the
plant. At 3 O'Clock they adjourned to
the public road over which the work
men would have to pass. They stopped
the first delegation of miners who,
after little persuasion turned back.
At that moment the deputies were or.
dered to shoot at the range of about 30
yards. At the first volley the strikers
fed in every direction. The deputies
fred two more volleys, and were shoot
ing when the last striker disappeared.
The officials of she company cay four
strikers were picked up dead and about
nalf a dozen wounded were carried away
by comrades. Other reports say six were
killed and sixteen wounded.
The company officials say the strikers
served notice on them that they ex-
pected to assault the works, and the
deputies considered the interference
with workmen the beginning of the as-
sauit. The etrikere had made demon
stration all night, even threatening to
visit the houses OF workmen and givs
them choice to quit work or die.
The shooting was not all on one side.
The workmen were about to comply
with the command to 60 home, when
deputies rushed into the midst OF the
strikers, got possession of the workme n
and marched them to the pit. A deputy
sheriff fred shot, which opened the bat
tie. Volley after volley WAS fired by each
side at close range. The strikers am
munition gave out, and they were forced
to fiee. 1t is said the strikers were ad-
vancing ON the deputies, whin the latter
fred the first shot.
large number OF strikers was arrest
today. who had guns and ammuni-
ton.
Rsiney has ordered four gatling guns
for his plants.
The latest news from the scene of the
trouble is that the strikers are all gone.
A battle was narrowly averted at Fair
Chanca last night when five deputies
got off a train. The strikers, who
thought they were new workmen, took
them to their camp, whore they were
held prisoners until other deputies put
the strikers to fight.
Today the situation at the Hill Farm
mines. where the company has been
running full force. is decidedly alarm.
ing. AT O'Clock 500 miners from the
southern end of the region marched to
Hill Farm, and are said to be planning
an attack on the works. The
plants are guarded by 80 depu
ties and conflict will result
seriously. The strikers are determined
to force all the plants to shut down,
regardless of loss OF life. Superintsnd
ent Kimball of the Hill Farm mines il
getting out an injunction to restrain .he
strikers from camping near the works