The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-11

o'clock train from Hazelton. He was
cool and collected. He was met at the
depot by his legal adviser. The two
got into cab and drove to the court
house, where they were closeted to-
gether for some time The sheriff was
at first reluctant to say whether he
had given the command to fire. but
afterwards admitted that he had. The
SnerlffS detailed statement is as fol-
lows:
heard early this morning that the strik-
ers were going to march to the breaker at
Latlmer and compel the men there to quit
work: resolved to intercept them and if
possible prevent them from reaching the
breaker. One of my deputies told me that
the strikers would probably be heavily armed
meet at certain point. They were all armed
told them to keep cool under all circum-
stances. The trouble began at o'clock 1
met the marching column halted them and
read the proclamation They refused 10 paw
any attention and started to resume their
march. Then l called to the leader to stop.
he ignored my order 1 then attempted to
arrest him. The strikers closed in on me-
Ihey acted very vicious, kicking me, knock
ing me down and trampling upon me-
caiied upon my deputies to aid me and they
did So but they were unable 70 accomnIisb
much.
L realized that something had to be done
at once, or | would be killed | called to the
ueputies 10 dlscharge their firearms into the
air above the heads of the strikers as il
might probably brighten them 1t was done
at once but 1T had no effect whatever on the
ihlurlated foreigners who used me SO much
the -rougher and became fercer and fiercer
more like wild beasts than human beings
me strikers then made a still holder move
ana endeaVored to surround my entire force
OF deputies. L fully realized that the for
eigners were desperate lot of men, valued
lie at a very small figure. / also saw that
parleylng with such mob of infl1riated mon
was entirely out of the question, as they were
excited m ~.
SELF and deputies would be killed if we were
not rescued. or if did not defend our
serves; then called upon the deputies to
defend themselves and shoot if they must In
protect their lives or to protect the Dronertv
that they had been sent to guard The next
second there were a few scattering shots
t nreu lnto the foreigners and a moment later
the entire force of deputies discharged solid
volley into the crowd
Il hated to give the command to shoot.
ana was awful sorry that was compelled to
40 so, but | was there to do my duty, and
did 1t as best knew how and as NV con-
science dictated, as the strikers were violat-
ing the laws Of the commonweal and fatty
refused to obey the proclamation that 7 road
to them. They insisted on doing violence
and disobeying the laws
Mr.. Martin was asked when you met
tne men, were they on comuany property
or on the public road?"
lie road"
We're they marching towards Latimer?"
Had they, up to that time. committed any
overt act or acted otherwise than peaceably?''
No
Why, then, did you order the deputies
II did not order the deputies to fire: some
one else did that. First came signal shot
and then volley. l gave no ORDER
How many We're killed."
There were twelve dead when I left and
about forty wounded"
Were any of your men hurt?'
arm'' 'He
Sheriff Martin, when he reached Wilkes.
barre, was badly scared. Though he claims
to have been brutally assaulted, when seen
ne did not have mark on his person to
classes of citizens in this city and county
unite in condemning Sheriff Martins hasty
action.