Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-04-19
POLES RIOTING IN DETROIT.
Eheriff Collins Terribly maitreAted OS
Mob of Foreigners-Two Poles hiiieu
and Several Injured.

kheriff Collins Terribly maitreSteu "
Mob of Foreigners-TwO Poles Killed
and Several Injured.
DETROIT, MICH, April 1s.-Wayne
county's sheriff lies in precarious con-
dition tonight, his body lacsrated oy
the shovels OF enraged rioters.
Two Polish laborers are dead and the
number injured is not yet definitely
known.
These unfortunate conditions are
the result of a conflict which occurred
at noon to-day between some 800 Poles
and Sheriff Collins and five OF his
deputies.
The riot was brought about by differ
ences Of opion over the wages to be
paid laborers by the city water commits
sioners for digging trenches for pipe
laying in Crosse Pointe township, just
east Of the city limits.
The commissioners decided to pay by
the cubic yard but for the pa't day or
two three hundred Poles had hung
about the vicinity, declaring they
would neither work themselves nor al
low others to unless paid $3.50 per day
No actual outbreak was anticipated, but
as precaution Sheriff Collins and FIVE
deputies went TO the scene TO project
those who wished to work.
Work progressed on small scale dur
ing the morning, but Engineer VII
liams becoming alarmed at the aspect OF
things consulted some of the commls-
sioners shortly before noon and
WAS INSTRUCTED TO QUIT WORK
for the time being.
Before he returned, however, riotlng
began. Sheriff Collins and Deputy
Steyskal, after telephoning for REIN
forcements, began to address the
mob TO pacity them. One
of the Poles began an OPP
position. harangue. The crowd there
upon started TO annihilate the officers
and the handful of laborers az work. At
the advance, the officers drew revolVers
and fred over the strikers heads, but
the mob came on and the next volley
was discharged into the crowd. Then
the officers retreated slowly, firing as
they went.
Still the mob followed, one man deal
ing the sheriff vicious blow on the
head with his shovel.
The other officers, the workers and
an EUeninq NclCS reporter escaped, all
being more or less pounded with SNOW
els, but the helpless Sheriff was brutaily
attacked.
The men then scattered, leaving the
Sheriff unconscious on the field. Two
of the Poles were found dead, John Pie
lat and comrade, name unknown.
THE INJURED ARE:
Sheriff Collins; Deputy Steyskal, cut
and bruised; Michael Kanofski, shot,
will probably die;'unknown Pole; Tony
Gerkewiak, shot in thigh; - Quad
rupski, shot In breast; Detective W. ID.
Burch, ribs broken; Joe Jakowskl, but
let wound in breast; John +. Fisher, an
EUening NeiUS reporter, was badly
bruised There are probably several
other Poles injured.
During the afternoon scme twenty
Poles wers arrested, which intensified
the bitterness and this evening the
situation is being vindictively discuss
ed by crowds of Poles in various parts
of the city. 1t is rumored that they
will attack the Jail tonight, but this is
not believed. Extra officers are on duty
TO preserve the peace whatever NAV
occur. The Water Commissioners will
probably not recede from their position,
but work will proceed, if at all, under a
strong guard.