Evening journal., 1897-06-25
BESIEGED IN A HOTEL
A Trenton Contractor Pursued
by a Mob.
THREATS MADE OF LYNCHINC HIM.
Fears That the Men May become Des-
perate aud Set Fire to the Build
ing Militia Has Been
Called to the Scene.

Bucks county has arrived al Norris
vile, opposite Trenton, and swore in 80 |
citizens as a posse to protect lives ana
property In case of riot BY the several |
hundred Italians who are clamoring for
their money for the work they did ON
the East Traction company's line, now
in course Of construction.
These Italians. all armed, swarmed
about Hoagland's hotel, threatening
violence to the contractor, Il. @. Wheel
er, who was Imprisoned within. 1t look
ed as if there would be trouble, 50 the
burgess. l.. B. Ettinger on the demand
Of the citizens, sent for the sheriff. He
made an all night drive across the
country so as to be on hand early.
over 100 Italians kept guard all night
30 that Wheeler could not escape AT
daylight these We're re-enforced by 100
more, all armed with clubs and pick
handles and camorlng for Wheeler's
blood.
The sheriff warned the men to dis
band and to preserve order and then
scattered his posse in and around the
hotel
Wheeler Is surrounded by some Of his
foremen, who are armed. The italian
guard has been constantly around the
hotel Only one demonstration that
looked like trouble took place, and that
was when Wheeler quickly decided that
1t was best for his health not to take
a contemplated carriage ride.
Situation Decidedly Serious.
The situation for Wheeler is decided
ly serious one Of the leaders of the
Italians. who speaks English nuently
said that with only the greatest diff
Guilty were his angry cOuntrymen re-
otrafpn1 from, rr,alrfuer opnpprfnd "A
tack on the hotel with the object Of
getting Wheeler.
Unless the men are paid or satsfac-
tOrly assured Of their money very soon,
there is every promise of the burning
Of the hotel If Wheeler cannot be reach
ed in any other way. The Italians
claim that they have no faith any more
in his promises.
Wheeler. in an interview, said that
he did not fear any attempt on his life,
and that he was protected by 10 of his
English speaking foremen. who were in
the hotel and adequately equipped for
any emergency.
The Italians are well organized under
several leaders. They have their as
signed places around the hotel Not
having any money they are doing no
drinking. and on the whole are very or
derly.
The burgess ordered Constables David
II. Wharton and Jacob German to dis
perse the crowd. These officials at
tempted to do SO. and according to the
Italians, they backed their demands by
putting their hands in their pistol pock-
cts. The Italians made a similar show
of determination not to move, and there
the matter ended.
Mr.. Wheeler says that he and his
nn rfr for ha @ uaf fnK "a
in communication with the officials of
the company for the payment of the
men. and. while they have had every
assurance that The money would be
forthcoming. yet he cannot state when
the men will be paid of. The equity
suit over the affairs al Yardley had in
terfered somewhat. he understood, with
the syndicate who We're 10 furnish the
money Nj. Wheeler said he looked 10
the company for their money.
Only a small ArrearaGe.
Mr.. Wheeler said that he did not de-
sire to leave the hotel and intended to
remain until the trouble was settled.
He said that only the May pay was due
to the men.
Three Italians under contract with
Body & Wheeler have had the feeding
OF the men. One OF them Is Alfred De-
mayo, who has secured a lien on the
companys franchises for $500. De-
mayo says that the men were anxious
to attack the hotel, but he persuaded
them not TO do so He would not an
swer for the men after today. and he
declared that some of them would 80 Ia
extremes in having satisfaction. Not a
dollar has been paid for labor. accord
ing to Demayo. Wages We're due "a
175 men from May IS to June and to
200 men from June to last Saturday.
Mr.. Wheeler said he desired to con-
4 tradict the report that the men were
starving The Italians themselves said
that they were not suffering for food.
Mr.. Wheeler was formerly a foreman
in the contracting business for former
Senator l.. +. Miller OF Cape May
county. The firm Of Boody & Wheeler
II has been established since the first OF
the year Mr.. Boody was formerly OF
the contracting firm of Boody, Williams
& Williams of Philadelphia
There is another group of angry Ital-
ians at Yardley, at the other end Of In,
line. They are clamoring for food a.
we'll as money. They promise to joir
forces with the MOIrisville strikers ant
tear up the roadbed