The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-06-11
WAR OF THE MINERS.
THOUSANDS ARE IDLE AND THE OUT
PUTOF COAL IS LIMITED.
FACTORIES AND RAILROADS SUFFER.
Their Grievance is Low Wa2es-In Half
Dozen States They Are Armed and
Observation-Disclosures Out of Fuel

Peoria, ILL.,, June Gone dead body, sew
pral men on the verge of the grave, num-
Der of others seriously injured, $30,UJ0 worth
of property absolutely destroyed, ana Hldhy
homes made desolate was the result OF an
attempt made today by the miners OF the
Peoria district to close the mine operated
by Little Bros, in TazeWell county, d Lliie
or more back of Wesley City.
Edward Blower, of Bartonville, married
was shot in the side of the neck and Killed
instantly.
James Little. shot twice in the body and
thought to be fatally injured.
Peter Little, secretary, shot in the left
eye and in the right arm; seriously in
jured.
Peter Little. Jr., shot in the left side =.
William Dixon, colored, shot in the right
arm and through the left shoulder; may
die.
Several miners were shot, but they were
taken away and no one could secure any
information from them about anything.
The tragedy Was the sequel OF the meet
ing held at Bartonvilie the other day, about
which there was so much secrecy. No one
got the faintest inllling OF what was done
at the meeting. Now everybody knows.
1t was decided at that time that the Little
Bros. mine must close. There could be no
eqUivocation, no quiDblnS, no halfway
measure. It must close and remain closed.
In consequence of the conclusion arrived
at that meeting about AGO miners started
out OF Bartonville at 1 o'clock this after
room. They came from nearly all the mines
i'm the district. Without anything having
been previously said on the subject, except
in the utmost secrecy, every man apparent
ly came armed. They were desperate and
Were ready to use desperate means to ac-
couplisn their desperate ends.
Sheriff Frederick, Of Peilin, TaZcwell
county, having been advised Of the trouble
went 10 the mines with a posse. The strik-
Il
met on the side 10y the sheriff, who com
mauded the peace and reasoned with them
in vain. Led by a stalWart miner, With
revolver III each hand. crying, "tolloW
me-" they charged on the mine.
The TWO L.ttles and their TWO sons and a
Colored man reiterated into the tower over
the shaft and opened fire on the besiegers,
some of whom fell. The fire vas returned
and the men n the tower hoisCed u white
Has for surrender. The firing was botly
continued ana the tower riddled. The shaft
was set on FIRE and the air shaft closed.
The crowds fled in dismay, as it was feared
the powder house would be ignited.
Later accounts show that of the party
btsiysed, john Jackson, d negro was killed,
anu Ed Little was shot III the breast and
may die.
There were eight or ten miners in the
shaft ana it is feared all were sufocated.
Among these are Gus and Fred Moritz and
John BUcEeE
FL BlCur, one of the attacking party,
was killed ana half dozen ether strikers
were wounded. Tt is believed two more
of the strikers VIII die. The sheriff and
posse have returned TO Pel4in. They We're
unable to handle the mob. The widest ex-
element exists.
4>urneG by the Mob
Peoria, ILL.,. June After their work OF
destruction AT the Little Brothers mine yes
terduy the mob raided one Of the miners
houses. There WAS no one inside, so the
door was kicked in and several gallons of
kerosene found in a tank We're taken to
the niue and thrown all over the shaft and
power house. 4 Tnetch applied. ard as
the building went up in smoke the strikers
danced around. They allowed the half doz-
en- miners a work in the mine to be brought
out The buildings were burned to the
ground.
After completing their work of destruc-
ton. the mob dispersed, crossing the river
in skihs to prevent an armed force from
intercepting them. The river bank was
lined with strikers all night and numerous
bontires are burning. The Little Brothers
say they asked for protection which they
cid not get and that as soon the sher-
Ill 5 posse met the strikers they fed, seek
Ing shelter in the underbrush of the sur
rounding hills.