The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-19
GEN. RUGER'S REPORT
WORK OF REGULARS IN CALIFOR-
MA DURING THE DEBs STRIKE.
Naval Forces Comrlimented for Their
Trust officials Arraigned I'm Court.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 1S-The annual re-
port of Brig. Gen. Thomas H.. Kruger, COM
manding the Department Of California.
made public to-day, is devoted largely TO
a recital Of the stirring events OF the great
strike. OF this subject the report treats
as follows: THE service Of most impor-
lance performed during the year by the
troops serving in the department was that
recently rendered under orders received re-
curing prevention OF obstruction TO the
United States mails. interference with In
terstate commerce and the enforcement OF
the mandates and warrants of the United
States courts" After describing the con-
dition OF affairs at Los Angeles and the
dispatch of Colonel Schafter's troops TO
that place. the report goes on as follows:
''The result Of the presence OF the troops
was that mail train service was soon re-
sumed on all main lines, first to the East
and later on to San Francisco. The trains
were guarded by detachments of troops
from the 9TH until the 18th Of July, when
they were discontinued. With the excep-
ton of overturning by strikers on July 10
OF some cars on a railroad crossing 10 in
terrupt the running of trains. no overt act
was committed during this time, but there
is sufficient evidence for belief that the
StTlkerS would nave reSOrteI- In the aD-
sence of a military force, to any degree of
violence through the necessity TO prevent
the operation of railroads centering at this
point. except upon the terms dictated by
General Ruger next tells OF the reception
of the Presidents order of July 4 TO re-
move distractions TO mails and interstate
ing where he decided to begin work, be-
cause the strikers were in the greatest
force and were belligerent He says there
wara El M I'm the railroad GhnnG and
OF these $500 Joined the strike. either will
ingly or under intimidation. These were
points, making about 1900 men. the greater
part of them with guns and rifles. General
Ruger touches lightly upon the conduct. OF
force OF the State troops OF California,
composed of two gimen and part OF an
other. were assemble at Sacrame sa utoa
States marshal under the provisions OF a
statute of the State for the purpose OF at
fording such assistance as might be neces-
sary to resumption of the operation OF the
railroad for the carriage of the mails and
for the purposes of Interstate commerce.
For reasons and owing TO facts which IL Is
not within the purpose OF this report 10
state, the object was not accomplished
Regarding the wrecking OF the train
bearing soldiers from Sacramento to San
Francisco, on July IL. and the killing or
four soldiers, the report says. There 10
no doubt the murder Of the four soldiers
and the engineer was the act of the strik-
ers who left Sacramento before the train
was started and also little doubt that II
was known before hand to a considerable
number Of other strikers that the track had
been tempered with for the purpose of de-
railing the train. The place selected for
throwing the train from the track was at
a trestle crossing water and approached by
a narrow causeway. That loss of life would
occur in case the train was thrown from
the track would be almost inevitable. Pro-
ceedings are in progress in the civil courts
against several men charged with murder
in causing death by the wrecking Of the
train"
General Kruger pays a high compliment to
the naval forces lande- at Oakland, saying
they were OF essential assistance and es-
pecially in permitting action with more
confidence as to favorable results than
would otherwise IA been the case. Great
praise Is also accorded TO Colonel Schafter
and to his command and Colonel Graham
and his troops at Sacramento. General
Ruger says: AT Sacramento the phase OF
the trouble upon the arrival of the troops
had far passed the limits implied by the
word strike The acts, manner OF pro-
cedure and intent, as evidenced by the acts
OF those engaged were distinctly insurrec-
tionary. Except for the action OF the troops
the disorder would have been prolonged
and in all probability would not have ended
without serious bloodshed and after de-
struction OF much property"
Attached to the report of General Ruger
are reports from Colonies Schafter and
Graham and Commander Reeder. depicting
in graphic style, and in great detail, the
most interesting phases of the great strug-
gle between law and order and anarchy.