The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-07-21
March on the Mines.

EHSOuTE, 0uiy 10 -1US events Ot
to day in the Pittsburg coal mining dis
trict indicate that there is trouble
ahead The strike has been on for two
weeks, with DO cause for a!arm in an;
quarter. but to-day the pangs Of hunger
aod musterings of discomfort, have
taken tangible form and before morn
1000 miners will have marched 90 Can
nohsburg. the objective point being the
Boone aud Allison mines. A few days
ago the operators Of the mibes made a
requisi:ion on the sheriff of Washiog-
ton couo.y for additional deputies. It
is supposed that there are at least 80
deputies at each mine, we'll armed for
any friction that may take place. To-
day the miners of the Miller's aud
TOMS Run district held mass meetings.
The men employed 10 the Slope and
Bridgeville mines, Essen No. l and 2.
aud Stems met at Bridgeville. Cecil
was the scene Of a meeting Of Laurel
Hill Nos 2 and 4, Creedmoor aud
The diggers employed in the Standard
and Ellsworth mines in Miller's Ruo
also held meeting The gatherings
we're attended by men, women ard
children The women did not lag 10
the interest taken Many of them
openly branded their husbands as
towards. They argued that they
might as we'll fight as starve The
men said the victory could be Won pro-
vided every coal miner emp!ayed 10 the
sections where the trade is supplied
would join iu toe general movement of
idlepess
Plans for bringing out the miners at
work iu the Boone aud Allison mines
we're discussed Special committees
were sent form one meetiog to the
other.
The Kissing brass band and the
Cecil drum corps we're engaged aud the
march across the county is on. The
procession will be made of three di7Is-
ION from the diEereot sections They
will mobilize at Bridgeville and take
up the tramp Of - miles across
the country a miuer who was very
enthusiastic over the p'au said Saere
would be at least 1000 men 10 lice
It was learned late tonight that the
scheme has been in process of formation
for several days 1t was talked of sew
cral days ago and got to the ears of the
operators Of the Cannonsburg mines.
hence their decision to increase their
force of deputies. Whether the miners
will 60 armed is Dot known as yet. but
they expect to be at the mines when
the offending diggers are ready to 60 to
work and vii! use every influence pos
sible to keep them from goiog into the
mines. Some of the most conservative
of the leaders claim that there will be
no bloodshed. They say that when
the colliers see such big demonstra-
tion 10 favor Of what they term peace
full battle for bread. they cannot enter
the mines aud retain their man hood
Every effort was made to keep the
movement a secret for fear the force
of deputies at the mines would be fur
ther increased
Just what the result will be, it is
difficult at this hour to tell TIE men
are known to be in condition Of semi
insanity on the strike question. They
have been goaded on by suferiog
wives. daughters aud sweethearts, and
it appears as If it is the beginning OF
the end of the strike.
The negotiation to induce the coal
operators of this district to sign uni
formi,y agreement are still going o.
The commissioners having it in charge
feel as if they would be able to accom-
plish it. Secretary G. F. Schmidt
said tonight that the prospects were
brighter than they have been since
negotiations began He said that
Within the next few days powerful and
potent influences would be brought to
bear on the operators. and with the
strike 10 the present condition the iudi.
cations we're for successful consumma
tiou of the agreement. As an evidence
that the operators are not counting on
arbitration, it was announced tonight
by a prominent operator that if the
strike 10 West Virginia does not prove
successful the Pittsburg operators will
make an effort early pezt week to start
their mines at the 60 cent rate. the
rate now asked by the strikers. They
will claim tha. as they are willing to
pay the price asked. the law must pro-
tecs them in the operations of their
mines
Quinine and other fe-
yer medicines take from 5