The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-12-16
Fierce Fight FOR WORK.
Conflict Between Americans and
italians in Trenton.
TWO THOUSAND MEN BATTLE.

Foreigners Offer Cheap Labor-.-Native
workInen Endeavor to Dissuade Them
and Blows Are Struck---Two Short
Fights, in Which Knives Arc Drawn
TRENTON, N. J. Special. Two battles
have just been fought here between Ameri-
IAN and Italian laborers, and blood has been
spilled. There is almost a state of warfare
In the city between the two factions.
Crowds gathered at Prospect and Penning'
ton avenues to apply for work on the new
reservoir. There were nearly 1900 men, who
had been idle for months and whose families
were suffering. One-tenth OF them were
haliens, the most Of whom have been
brought into the city recently.
The Italians began te offer to work for
halt rates. The Americans resented this,
and q delegation was sent to the Italians
to tell them they must stand by living
wages or take the consequences. The
Americans were demanding from $3.50 to
$l25 day. The Italians would not listen
to the delegation, and the Americans drew
-neaSer to hear what was going on.
A wrangle followed in which some one
struck blow. This was a signal, and the
Italians drew knives. The Americans seized
sticks and stones, and in mass rushed upon
the Italians. Ashort, sharp conflict followed,
but the Italians were outnumbered and fed,
followed by volleys Of stones.
Many Of the American laborers obtained
employment, and the crowd remained till
late in the evening to prevent the italians
from reappearing. Early next morning, in
the vicinity OF the ground where the work
was begun, big bonfires were lighted by the
lRborers who came before daylight. It was
bitter cold, and the men huddled round the
h-e, waiting eagerly to go to work.
All at once word came that padrone had
gone to the contractor to offer cheap labor.
Fearful that their long-hoped-for work might
thus be taken away from them the Ameri-
cans charged upon body OF Italians, who
had gathered nearby, and forced them down
street parallel with Pennington avenue.
They had not gone far when q Sicilian,
Bline Salvatore, stopped carriaQe coming
up the street, and, stopping behind it, began
firing into the crowd Of pursuers with a re-
volver.
William Lenox, who lives at No. 11f4
ianberton street, one OF the leaders OF the
pursuing workmen, stepped behind a tree.
His left arm was exposed, however, and a
and shot one other man. who was taken
away by his friends before his name could
be learned.
Sheriff Ashmoie was sent for, and, hurry
ing to the scene, ordered the crowd to dis
perse. Twenty special deputies were sworn
in by him and the ground was thoroughly
pioketed by his officers, with instructions to
keep all visitors moving and to prevent the
gathering OF crowd. Salvatore Is in cell
at the Central Police Station. There is great
excitement in the city. ..
For a long tme there has been much dis
tress here. caused by lack OF work. The
factories have been Idle and the industries
almost at standstill. Want has been on
every side. When 1t was announced the oity
was to build a reservoir that was to cost half
. million there was rejoicing that there
would be work. ...+
The contractor. Lewis Lawton, before
signing the contract agreed that none but
residents OF Trenton should be employed,
and said he would discriminate agalnst ali
foreigners .a.