The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-30
Mass Meeting ut De Armitt's CoIlicrIes
in Pennsylvania Addressed by
Debs and Others.
LITTLE CHANGE IN SITUATION
UNITED NINE WORKERS. OFFICERS
CONFIDENT OF VICTORY.
Train Held Up by Strikers in Illinois
and Raid Made on the Mines
at Roanoke.

PITTSBURG, July "a vigorous effort
was made by striking miners to-day to in
| duce De Armitts men TO quit work. Eu-
| gene V. Debs and other labor leaders ad-
dressed mass meeting of 5000 people who
had marched to Oak Hill last night from
other colleres. They came from every di-
rection, headed by brass bands. Large del
egations arrived from Willocks, Gastonville,
Finleyville and other points ai.ng the
Wheeling divisions, nearly all them carry
ing heavy walking sticks and some were
armed. There were no threats of violence,
however, and no indications of drinking.
Many were supplied with food enough to
last two days. Immediately upon reach
ing Oak Hill the strikers prepared for
camp. The scenes around Turtle Creek, aft
er midnight were strange. Poorly-clad min
ers stretched themselves out on the softest
spot they could find and slept. The squads
from each mine camped together, stacking
their formidable walking sticks and BAN
ners together. Each detachment was ia
charge of men selected before the march
was begun, who acted as officers. The for
eigners had their own officers, and the
English-speaking miners theirs. The orders
were implicitly followed. In the valley lead
ing up from Turtle Creek to one of the
pany had a powerful searchight. 1t was
kept shifting about in hopes of fanking
any movement of the strikers. to creep
within reach of the deputies who guarded
every approach.
Long before daylight the strikers We're
up, and. after eating their frugal meal
prepared for the days work. The inten-
tion was to see as many of De Armitt's
men before they got into the pits this
morning as possible. About o'clock 1,5OO
strikers assembled at Turtle Creek, and,
headed by three brass bands, with flags
and banners flying, marched past the
houses occupied by De Armitts miners
The strikers hooted and yelled and then
marched to the mines, where they planted
themselves before the pits, thus compell-
ing De Armitts men to run the gauntlet
10 get to work. A short time later Sheriff
Lowery, who had been wired for assistance,
arrived from Pittsburg, with fifty deputies.
armed with WincheSterS. The strikers
quietly withdrew, and the new deputies
were placed on guard
When the mass meeting was called to
order at 10 o'clock this morning there were
5000 striking miners in attendance, and be-
fore it was well under way there were 5000
people in the vicinity Of the schoolhouse.
Previous to the meeting IL. ". Debs, Dis
trct President Dolan, Secretary Warner
and NJ. P Carrick went among the strikers
and counseled them to keep within the
throughout the day. Their advice was re-
celN6Q WIN SOOu grace Dy the men, WHO
cheered the officials enthusiastically. The
speakers told the miners that they We're
Jeopardizing the success of the strike by
continuing work, and urged them to come
out and make the suspension complete
throughout the district. Two hundred dep
uties are now on guard about the mines,
but no trouble is apprehended.
President DOlan was made chairman OF
the meeting, and in a short speech he ac-
cused Mr.; De Armitt of insnicerity. He
said that II De Armitts men did not come
out there would be a sympathetic strike all
over the United States. M II. Carrck was
next introduced. and he said that working
men all over the United States are inter-
ested in this strike because it viii have
tendency to raise wages everywhere. When
E. V. Debs was introduced there was great
enthusiasm. He said in part: Il am not
here to encourage passion, but to appeal
to reason You are in the midst of tho
greatest contest the world has ever seen.
Whether you succeed or fail depends on
yourselves. In order to win you must re-
main absolutely sober until this contest is
over. Whisky clouds the brain, robs you
of your money and makes you brutal, and
also makes you do just what your enemies
want you to do"
Mr.. De ArmItt tonight makes the follow
ing statement: "A few of our men from
the Turtle Creek and Plum Creek mines at
tended the meeting to-day. About forty OF
the younger men in the Sandy Creek mine
were present. AS far as the effect of the
meeting on our men is concerned 1t was
fiat failure. All of our mines were in oper-
alton and will be tomorrow" A large force
of deputies are on duty and developments
Of sensational character are liable to oc-
cur at any time The men in the camp will
be supplied with food. @s
Late tonight William Warner, secretary
of the miners union, telephoned that a
break in De Armitts meE has taken place.
He saws that after the day meeting another
meet..S was arranged for tonight and 1t
was attended by many Of the men who
have been at work. Several local speakers,
he says placed the matter before them in
such a convincing way that the men from
De Armitt's Turtle Creek mine resolved
not to return to work In the morning. Sec
retary Warner says this is the most inn
portant result of the big meeting, and it
will be taken advantage Of at once to
influence the men at the other two mines
to come out. The miners officials are jubi-
liant over this victory.
Eugene v Debs left the city tonight
for Columbus on business which he de-
ciined to make public. Before leaving he
expressed himself as greatly encouraged.
He expects great results from to-day's
meeting.