The Dickinson press., 1897-09-18
SHOT BY DEPUTIES
.TERRlBLE SLAUGHTER OF STRIKERS
ByAsHERlFF's POSSE.
Nearly Score Of Men Were KILLED Out
right and Forty Others sInjursd-llazeh.
srs We're ON the Hirhway and Did Not
!. Expect to Be Shot At.

fortunate miners dropped dead in their
tracks under the terrible battery. four
more died during the night and four
have since been added to the record.
The arrival Of the soldiers was not
marked by any demonstration further
than the gathering Of . large but orderly
crowd. Indignation against the depu-
ties is running high, and the charge 10
publicly made that there was absolutely
no necessity for the horrible slaughter.
The miners, 1t is declared, were not
armed in any way, and il the deputies
feared trouble q single shot over their
heads would have dispersed them. The
TACT is clear, however, that many Of
the victims were shot through the back
while flying from the guns Of deputies.
Story Of the bloody Conflict.
Tho strikers left Hazleton at $50
O'Clock, announcing their intention to
60 to Latimer. AS soon as this became
known band Of 70 deputies was loaded
on trolley car and went whirling
across the mountain to the scene where
the bloody conflict followed. After
reaching Latimer they left the car and
formed into three companies under
Thomas Hall, E. 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 Martin
went out to meet them. The men drew
up sullenly and listened in silence until
he had
Once More Read the Riot Act.
This finished, low muttering arose
among the foreigners and there was o
slight movement forward. Perceiving
this the sheriff stepped toward them
and in determined tone forbade ad-
vance. Some one struck the sheriff
and the next moment there was q com.
mand to the deputies to fire. The guns
Of the deputies instantly belched forth
terrible volley. The report seemed to
shake the very mountains and cry Of
dismay went up from the people. The
strikers were taken entirely by surprise,
and as the men toppled and fell over
each other those who remained unhurt
stampeded. The men went down be.
fore the storm Of bullets like ten pins
and the groans Of the dying and
wounded filed the air.
As soon as the news OF the shooting
reached Hazleton there was consterna-
ton. Within 10 minutes the streets
were blocked with excited people. The
Lehigh Traction company Immediately
placed a number Of extra cars ON the
1atimer line and doctors and clergy.
men responded promptly. Amid the
excitement the deputies turned their at.
tention to the wounded and carried
many Of them to places where they
could be more comfortably treated. :,
Martin Boski, an intelligent HunRa.
rian from Mount Pleasant, who was
shot in the arm, was seen by report
an gave this version Of the affair:
Was tho Deputies' Fault.
1--WE were going along the road to
Latimer and the deputies were lined
across the road, barring our progress.
We tried to go through them and did
not attempt to hit or molest them,
when they fred upon us. We ran, but
they kept on shooting at us while we
ran. It is all their fault"
Citizens meetings were held at vari.
GUS parts Of the city. Opinion was
divided about the responsibility for the
shooting. At one meeting, held in
Vanwickles Casino, attended by bank.
ers, coal operators and prominent busi-
ness men, resolutions were adopted
calling on Governor Hastings to send
the militia here Immediately. At other
mass meetings, attended by Thousands
of people, the sentiment was against
bringing the troops hero, and it is az.
serted by these that there was no neoes.
siGv for having tho danntioa haro