Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-10-04
STRIKERS SENT TO JAIL.
TROUBLE BREAKS OUT SUDDENLY
AT A PlTTSTON MINE.

Men Are Battling for an Increase of
| Wages and Want Every Employe to
Stop Work Until the Advance Is Con-
| ceded by the Company.
| An attempt to resume work at the
Heidelberg colliery. near Pittston. on
| Friday morning, provoked an attack
upon the returning miners by the strik-
ers, and big riot ensued. Superinten-
dent Owens, Henry Wilson, Frank How
ard, Thomas McGowan and John Jones
were badly hurt, and number of others
were more or less injured. The colliery,
which is operated by the Lehigh Valley
Coal Company, has been idle for nearly
two weeks, the men having gone on
strike for higher wages. The company
refused to grant the increase few days
ago. and made an unsuccessful attempt
to resume work. Several miners were
ready to go back, but they were afraid.
The foreigners persisted on remaining
on strike.
Superintendent Owens set about max
ing another attempt to resume and got
about sixty of the English-speaking men
to promise they would 90 back to work
when he wanted them. Friday was set
for the resumption, and word was quiet
ly sent around the night previous for
the men to assemble at o'clock next
morning at Owens house. 1t was
thought that meeting at this early hour
would avoid any possible interference,
but the strikers had heard of the plan,
and they were out in force, over a hun
dred, and
MOST OF THEN WERE ARMED
with pickhandles and stones.
As Owens and his men approached the
colliery these strikers Intercepted them.
Superintendent Owens warned them
that if they interfered they would all be
arrested and punished but the threat
did not effect them.
As those who intended return
ing to work at the old wages at
tempted to advance they were met by
the strikers. In short while blows
were exchanged by members of the two
gangs, and these were followed by vol
leys of stones. For couple of minutes
there was a general fusiade. Finding
themselves assaulted in this manner.
the strikers charged at the bosses and
scabs and by vigorously using their
picllhandes on the legs of their assail-
ants they quickly dispersed the crowd
n 1rpvn oil tbpurrhtg nF Il ,T
their heads.
superintendent Owens was struck on
the head by Il stone and is suffering
from scalp wound, besides bearing
number of bruises on his shoulders and
body, the marks left by pickhandes.
Henry Wilson. Frank Howard. Thomas
McGowan and John Jones were report
ed as being badly
CUT AND BRUISED BY STONES
and clubs, and hardly one in the body OF
sixty men escaped uniniured.
Fearing further outbreak. Super
intendent Owens resolved to make
no further attempt to resume, but today
he expects to start the colliery if he has
to have all the strikers arrested to do So
During the riot Superintendent Owens
recognized several of the strikers, and
as soon as his wounds were dressed he
went before Justice of the Peace Ehret
and swore out warrants for their arrest.
and they were at once taken into
custody.
lgnatz Polan, Anthony Gedwish, An
thony Shinko, Simon Bennatis and John
Rose, five of the rioters, were given a
hearing before Squire Ehret. Attorney
Frank Wheaton represented the Lehigh
Valley Coal Company, and several wit
nesses testified to the trouble.
Shinko, who, it is alleged, was one of
the leaders, was held in 81, 500 bail and
the others in $1,000 bail each for their
appearance at court. The men were
sent to Jail in default of bail.
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