The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-25
SHOOT TO KILL.
Orders Given to Deputy
SheriffS.
OBEYED TO THE LETTER.
Deadly Battle With Striking
Coal-Miners.
FOUR MEN REPORTED DEAD.
Several MortaIIy Wounded, but How
Many 1t Is Impossible
to Tell as Yet.

UNIONToWN, Ia, May A.-Ihe long
threatened attack by striking miners on
the pits OF the Washington Coal and Coke
Company at Sickle Hollow, in the fourth
pool district on the MonongaheIa River,
was made this morning, involving another
of the grim tragedies that characterize the
irrepressible conflict. The fight was one
OF the fercest in the history of the mining
troubled in Western Pennsylvania, and in
the section where 1t occurred, as well as
throughout the whole coke region, the sit
uatiOn Is one of excitement and dread un-
certainty tonight. Four strikers are lying
dead and double that number are badly
wounded. some of them mOrtaliy. Thomas
Kenan of Woods Run is the only American
killed in the encounter with the deputies.
The other dead men are Slavs.
The wounded men who fell under the
first volley from the deputies were taken
off the field by the retreating strikers, and
even now the actual number OF the wound
ed is not definitely known, their friends
having the strongest motive for concealing
them.
l. is perhaps too soon to place the re-
sponsibility for the killing. In the mass
of confused and contradictory statements
there is testimony to show that the strik-
ers. while threatening an attack, had COM
mitted no act CT lawlessness; that the
deputies fired on thep absolutely without
prOvOcation that would warrant the use of
deadly weapons, and that the killings
were cruel and uDiustifable. Then there
Is testimony to show the deputies defended
themselves ard 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 roadway
leading to the Sickle Hollow plants. The
deputies had specific orders. and it is ad-
mitted that the company had conveyed to
them directions to shoot to kill
Shortly before midnight 1000 rioters as
sembled at the Stiekle Hollow plants of
the Washington company. Some were
armed, but the majority were not. They
went into camp near the plants at 8
O'Clock. They then adjourned to a public
road over which the workmen would have
to pass. They stopped the first delegation
OF miners, who after e little persuasion
turned back. at that moment deputies
were ordered to shoot at a range of about
fifty yards. and at the first volley the
strikers scattered in every direction. This
is one story of the way it occurred. The
deputies fired two more volleys and we're
shooting when the last striker disap-
peared.
Officials of the company say four strikers
were picked up dead, and about half
dozen wounded were carried away by their
comrades. Other reports say six were
killed and sixteen wounded.
frha nnp1papytc nAG Is H.
had served a notice on them. They ex-
pected an assault on the works, and the
deputies considered the presence of the
strikers in the yard as an interference with
the workmen and began the assault The
strikers had made demonstrations all
night, even thre atening 10 visit the houses
Of the workmen and give them the choice
to quit work or die.
Still another story is to the effect that
the shooting was not all on one side. The
workmen were about to comply with the
copmand to 60 home when the deputies
rushed into the midst of the strikers, got
possession Of the workmen and marched
them to the pit. A deputy Sheriff fired
shot, which opened the battle. Voley
after volley was fred by each side a close
range. The strikers ammunition gave
out and they were forced to flee. 1t is
said the strikers were advancing on the
deputies when the latter fired the first
shot. A large number of strikers we're
arrested to-day who had guns and ammu-
milton.
Five are known to be killed and eight
wounded. The killed are all strikers.
Three deputies are among the wounded.
Rainey has ordered four Gatling guns for
his plant.
To-day the situation at Hill Farm mines,
where the company has been running a
full force. is decidedly alarming. At Q
o'clock 500 strikers 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 fifty
deputies. and a conflict is likely to follow
with serious results. The strikers are de-
termined to force all plants TO shut down.
regardless of loss Of life. Superintendent
Kimball of the Hill Fa rm mines Is getting
out an injunction to restrain strikers flom
camping near the works.
a battle was narrowly averted at Fair
Chance last night when FIVE deputies got
off the train. The strikers, who thought
they were new workmen, took them to
camp. where they were held prisoners un-
til other deputies put the strikers 10 flight.
Sixty-six strikers were placed under ar
rest and taken back to the companv's
ground. where they were closely guarded.
This evening they were brought here To
jail. The situation at the mines tonight
is alarming. and more serious trouble ia
expected within the next twenty four