Evening journal., 1897-09-11
MINERS MEET DEATH
Deputies Shoot Down Strikers
Near Latimer.
REPORTS VARY OF THE NUMBER DEAD
Sheriff Martin First Read the Riot Act,
Then Some One Struck Him, aud
the Command to Fire Was
Given at Once.

Hazleton, Pa, Sept. 1.-THE strike
situation reached a terrible crisis on
the outskirts Of Latimer yesterday af-
ternoon, when a band of deputy sheriffs
fired into an infuriated mob of miners.
The men fell like so many sheep, and
the excitement since has been so intense
that no accurate figures of the dead
and wounded can be obtained. Re-
ports run from Is to 20 odd killed and
40 or more wounded. Many of these
will die. One man who reached the
scene last night counted 13 corpses. -Four
other dead lie In the mountains between
Latimer and Harleigh. Those who were
not injured carried their dead and
wounded friends into the woods, and
estimate is bafled.
Some Of those known to be dead are
Mike Chesloll Harwood; Frank Chekav,
Harwood; John Staniska, Crystal Ridge;
George Kulick. Harwood: Steve Hor-
rick Harwood.
Among the injured are George Krezo.
Harwood, bullets through leg, hip and
knee; John KerlovislSi, shot in neck;
Andrew Shabollck shot in breast; John
Kulich, shot in stomach; John Damen-
Eko, shot in both legs; George Vercheck,
shot in both legs; John Forti, shot in
head, will die; John Cleshok, shot in
hip; Kazimir Dulis, shot in breast;
Jacob Kulshot. shot through body will
die; Steve Erskulxi, shot in body; John
Koti. shot in arm and left side; Joseph
Bobick, shot through back; John
Treble. deputy, shot in arm
Three bodies were found on the road
near Latimer.
How the Trouble Started.
The strikers left Hazleton at $3.50
O'Clock in the afternoon, announcing
their intention to go to Latimer AS
soon as this became known band of
deputies was loaded on a trolley car
and went whirling across the mountain
10 the scene where the bloody conflict
followed. After reaching Latimer they
left the car and formed into three COM
panies under Thomas Hall, f. A. Hess
and Samuel b. Price. They drew up in
line at the edge of the village, with a
fence and line Of houses in their rear.
Sheriff Martin was in entire command
and stood in the front of the line until
the strikers approached. They were
seen coming across the ridge, and Mar
tin went out to meet them.
The men drew up sullenly and listen
ed in silence until he had once more
read the riot act This finished, a low
murmur arose among the foreigners
and there was a slight movement for
ward. Perceiving this, the sheriff step
ped toward them and in a determined
tone forbade the advance. Some on'
struck the sheriff, and the next momen
there was a command to the deputies L
fire. The guns Of the deputies instantl!
belched forth a terrible volley.
The report seemed to shake the yer,
mountains, and a roar of dismay wen
up from the people. The strikers wer
taken entirely by surprise, and as tn
men toppled and fell over each othe
those who remained unhurt stampeded
The Enen went down before the storm o
bullets like tenpins. and the groans O
the dying and OF the wounded filled tn
air. The excitement that followed wa
simply indescribable. The deputie
seemed to be terror stricken at tn
deadly execution OF their guns, an
seeing the strikers fleeing like wild me
and others dropping to the earth the
went to the aid Of the unfortunate
whom they had shot down.
The people OF Jatimer rushed pei
nell to the scene. but the shrieks of til
wounded drowned the cries of the syn
pathizing and half crazed inhabitants
A reporter who soon afterward reach
ed the scene found the road leading
Latimer filled with groups Of frightene
Hungarians. Some surrounded dyin
companions. and others, fearful Of pui
suit. clung to the newcomer and begge
his protection.
At Farley's hotel there were two me
lying on the porch. Both had been sh'
In the head.